Fourth Quarter Flameouts
by mattmc89 on Jan 6, 2012 10:56 PM CST
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Hey there, your intrepid ATH photographer here. I'm no writer like Will or Rohan, but I've been noticing something of a pattern that I wanted to share. I sat right behind the Hornets bench tonight and it reinforced what I noticed in previous games.
As you can see from the box scores, the Hornets get consistently outscored in the 4th, often leading to losses. Tonight in Denver was no different: 1 point lead going into the 4th, lots of fewer points than our opponents at the end. What I've noticed is a body language going into the 4th that doesn't exist in other quarters. Some teams have a noticeable attitude that you pick up off them. The Lakers, no matter what the score, start the 4th with a 'we got this handled' attitude.
The Hornets put off an attitude of confusion. It's not fear, confidence or apathy. They simply don't look like they know what to do next. The best example would be that they look like they were already in the locker room trying to decide what to have for dinner when they got home when they got pulled out to play another quarter. If you watch their movements, there is no urgency or confidence. There are no set plays they are trying to execute. They pass the ball around to whoever happens to be open until late in the shot clock and then put up a contested shot. They usually get some rhythm at some point and make some baskets, but it's a short lived rally. The defense is usually not up to its earlier effectiveness either.
I'm not harping on Monty here, but this is a coaching issue. The team should be on fire coming into the 4th, but they clearly aren't. Whatever is happening between the third and fourth quarters needs to change.
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Interesting insight
However, I would beg to differ. Coaches are there to have the team prepared to play a particular opponent that night. Naturally, they are also there to make all necessary in-game adjustments. However, when it comes to having to stoke a fire or get the team motivated to finish things off – that’s on the players. Coaches are cheerleaders to an extent only because their input only goes so far. It’s the players who have to have the fortitude to rise to the occasion. Hell, it only needs to be one of them.
Consequently, should we really be surprised? Our heart and soul, CP3 is gone. He was the little engine that could. He was getting in anyone and everyone’s ear when necessary. Tell me, who is that player now? Eric Gordon, our best player, may evolve into this type of player. However, he’s probably only practiced with the team less than a dozen times. Moreover, he’s played in only 2 games. Lastly, he’s not known for being a fiery guy. Jack? Ariza? Okafor? Not a chance. Unless someone steps up and becomes a vocal leader this team sorely needs, we better get used to 4th quarter meltdowns.
Agreed
Definitely feel like it’s a player issue. Paul AND West are gone. I’m not as sold on Gordon as everyone else is and definitely not sold on him developing into a team leader type (at least not anytime soon). I guess I’m hoping they can draft a player with some leadership ability and who’s committed to the team and to winning.
But I’m watching all of this from Japan so I may be way off …
Thanks Matt
Definitely looking for this going forward.
Since you were right on the bench, did you notice any difference in the way the coaching itself was being handled (in huddles, etc)?
Sad effort in the last third of the game
The Hornets were dogging it! I think I saw tank tracks…..
100% agree that they appear confused and directionless. It’s like they think every other team has Drew Brees on it, and they are destined to be beaten.
Our team was playing that whole time in the middle half of the court. Nobody back on defense, nobody under either basket defending it, rebounding, driving, or posting up. Minimal effort or intensity by anyone other than Vasquez and Smith, and Smith was only allowed in for the last 2 minutes. Some of the turnovers were so ugly they looked purposeful. Landry was hiding, never making himself available in the paint.
Another thing that is shameful is our post offense. All our bigs except Smith get blocked like I would if I tried to play. We draw a pathetic number of fouls, and Okafor can’t convert at the line if he does get a call. Kaman has decent ability to avoid blocks, but usually throws the ball away well before the actual shot. Ouch!
The lack of intensity is starting to affect the teeny tiny crowd. Vasquez was trying to pump up the crowd after he made a couple of threes, but the crappy effort had everyone sitting on their hands. There were enough empty seats we could all have one for each hand….. I don’t like losing, but I absolutely cannot stand losing due to lack of intensity and effort. We needed to play a lineup in the 4th of Vasqez, Squeaky, Smith, and whoever else will give effort. MAybe Dell should go out and get me Mbenga and Ryan Bowen.
Hornets are just not that good
A big part of the problem is that Hornets just aren’t that good, especially with Gordon out.
You’re right there have been turnovers, sloppy passes and defensive issues at times, but I think a part of that is that there’s just not that many options to pass to, not that many playmakers to make plays, and middling defensive ability.
Kaman has had bad turnover issues, but he’s just trying to make stuff happen. If he didn’t do it, we’d just have Jarrett Jack creating, mainly for himself.
But I agree that it would be good to see more of Smith. I think he’s a player to watch. He had a great dribble spin move later in the game which was pretty unusual for a 7 footer.
+1
Agree, the problem is that the Hornets just aren’t that good. Plus, we have so many new players to blend in and no training camp or time to accomplish it. Fourth quarter is when NBA teams clamp down on defense and get back on D. No easy baskets on the break and the Hornets in the half court just aren’t very good.
The Empty Seats
At the game bother me. And the poor 4th quarters may be a Monty thing, but I believe it’s a Chris Paul thing. In other worda, Hornets were so efficient in the clutch necause of him. Without him and especially without Gorson, there’s nobody to turn to im xrunxh time for some easy baskets. Everything’s a struggle offensively and that’s affecting the defense as well… At least that’s my theory.
"You play to win the game."
by MrWayneKeller on Jan 7, 2012 8:48 AM CST via mobile reply actions
Sorry
For the typos apparently using a touch screen on 4 hours of sleep is pretty difficult
"You play to win the game."
by MrWayneKeller on Jan 7, 2012 9:02 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
So how do you guys like Greivis?
I saw he led the team in scoring last night. Do you guys feel that he should be starting over Jarrett Jack? I haven’t watched any games but has he shown the fire that he was famous for at UMD?
I like him a lot
But he’s mistake prone. I like having him on the floor for his hustle, but thats more needed off the bench than in the starting lineup
I think I would've rather have Dragic than Vasquez at this point
JJ plays no defense, but Greivis gets absolutely exposed for it. Greivis is the better playmaker though. His mistakes are a result of inexperience, you can’t say the same for Jarrett. Once you have defenders like Ariza and Gordon back, then yeah you could hide his D in the starting lineup.
Greivis
With the way this year is going, I’d much prefer starting him. Especially with Gordon out for a few weeks. The way this team is assembled, playoffs are not going to happen. So this year should be completely devoted to player development. Aminu and Greivis need as many minutes as possible.
I Don't Get
The overwhelming Jarrett Jack resentment on this site.
"You play to win the game."
by MrWayneKeller on Jan 7, 2012 12:01 PM CST up reply actions
Didn't Mean
To respond to you, it was just an observation I was making.
"You play to win the game."
by MrWayneKeller on Jan 7, 2012 12:12 PM CST up reply actions
But I think the dislike of JJack
Is because of the shoes he’s supposed to fill. I mean, Chris Paul on one good leg was twice the player Jack is. And that’s not Jack’s fault. Hornets fans were just really blessed to have CP. And now here we are.
Playmaker
The team needs a few. Jack can’t carry a team. Which is absolutely fine. PG led teams don’t win championships. I’ve never liked the idea of asking the PG to be the #1 scorer AND distributor. That’s too much to ask.
agree with that
As good as CP was at times, I always felt a bit ambivalent about him often vying for being our top scorer.
This season, it’s the same thing, but now with Jack. Hopefully when Gordon comes back it won’t be just Jack, though it will still be a very guard heavy offense which is an iffy proposition in the NBA. Though having guards who can score at times is still better than having nobody.
Just wondering
In your opinion, what is the dropoff from Paul to Gordon? I think that would be a good post.
Thanks for the question
I think it’s too hard to answer at this stage with the injuries to Gordon and it being pretty early in the season. It’s a good question though. Maybe somethoing to come back to after 15 to 20 games into the season.
PG
Jack doesn’t really have a spot up game from the wing and I think he’s best penetrating from the point. Also, I’m not crazy about him guarding SGs.
I don’t think Jack is a good PG, but it’s better to have him at PG than SG. We may see him at SG sometimes with Vasquez though.
when you look at it
Jack has been the best and most reliable player on the team. Vasquez is nowhere near being a starting pg in this league. He doesn’t have the handles or quickness needed for that position, but he can be a very good backup and spark off the bench.
"I've been big ever since I was little." - William "The Refrigerator" Perry
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by 504life on Jan 7, 2012 1:58 PM CST via iPhone app up reply actions
Vazquez is definitely quicker than JJack
And I’d argue that his handles are better as well. Jack is a better leader and shooter than Vazquez and he doesn’t turn it over as much. I’m not arguing that Vazquez is the better player. That would be so far from the truth. But what my point is, are the hornets trying to win games? or better develop players for years down the road? My opinion is that this season is a forgone conclusion. No playoffs. So develop the young players you have. Play Vazquez at PG, JJack at SG while Gordon is out, and Aminu at SF while Ariza is out.
You Still
Go out there to play and win though.
"You play to win the game."
by MrWayneKeller on Jan 7, 2012 6:42 PM CST up reply actions
Jarrett's best attribute
is his ability to score in bunches. In that sense, he probably plays the position of SG better than he does PG. He plays alongside Gordon very, very well because Eric can also handle point guard duties, and they can switch off. The problem is if you’ve noticed, Monty cannot play Greivis and Jarrett for very long together because neither one of them plays any semblance of defense, which is why Marco ends up getting more PT than he should.
Gordon
Gordon is a subpar PG though from what I’ve seen. He can play the position in a pinch but he’s not really a playmaker.
Gordon can bring the ball up and
create from anywhere in the half court. I haven’t seen a whole lot of his passing to know whether he can pass out of trouble. You’re right in the truest sense, he’s not a point who sets the offense. But he’s such a dynamic player that the defense has to adjust to him and so he dictates the offense in that sense.
Vasquez
Vasquez needs to first learn how to be a reliable and consistent backup before we have him playing as a starter. He hasn’t learned the backup role yet. He certainly has a penchant for the big play, but that’s not necessarily what being a good PG is about.
He’s shot 34% from the field in his first 7 games.
Butr he’s definitely shown some fire out there at times.
Bah
Should have posted this link:
http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/dish/201201/nba-all-star-monster-mash-owner
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