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In Focus: Rui Hachimura

           For a team whose spot in the current East hierarchy seems fully set - I’d say it’s a relative consensus they should find their way into in the play-in tournament - a lot of uncertainty still remains about the Washington Wizards. With Bertans now making $80 Million, how are the minutes to be divided between the many options at forward? Do we really know anyone on the closing five outside of the backcourt? What the hell does “John Wall in 2021” look like? But baring an unexpected blow up of the roster, nothing intrigues me more than the role 2nd year player Rui Hachimura will have within this squad and what developments we’ll see from him during the year. The Japanese forward had himself a solid rookie season where even more skeptic observers like myself saw him easily make his way to proper contention for All-Rookie selections. The 2019-20 Wizards had little (if any) defensive accountability but the team went all the way towards offense [1], for which Hachimura was no small

The Detroit Pistons shake things up, and in a good way!

It’s a very weird sentiment to feel so positive about the Pistons franchise. Blake Griffin’s All-NBA run last year was a bright spot in an otherwise painfully forgettable last few seasons, perpetuating the struggles of a rebuild that followed their dominant run in the early 00s. And even so, Blake’s season was disappointingly derailed by a left knee injury from which he is yet to fully recover. But maybe, just maybe , draft night was a sign that things are heading in a better direction in the Motor City. This past June, Troy Weaver was hired to fill the vacancy of the team’s general manger. The former vice-president of basketball operations in OKC under Sam Presti - current owner of 357 future draft picks - showed an aggressiveness worthy his former boss and attacked the draft from all angles. The night began with acquiring the #16 pick from Houston by eating the salary of Trevor Ariza and sending back only one “heavily protected” pick (1). The Rockets also bought Detroit’s 2021 second

Game 5 NBA Finals: Los Angeles Lakers (3-2) 108 - 111 Miami Heat (2-3)

1st half The Heat continued with their switching scheme and the Lakers go back to Howard after the 2nd half adjustment last game to replace his minutes with Morris. The Heat ran a bunch of Butler pick and rolls with a small setting a screen on AD that's so low it's almost a back screen. This first lead to a Butler midranger and then Danny Green completely loses sight of Duncan Robinson for a corner 3 . For their part, the Lakers were getting success with a Davis pindown for KCP . This is a particularly effective play since they make sure Bam isn't there to protect the rim. In the second play on the clip, Bam is on LeBron James because they run an early Davis screen to get a quick switch - which also allows him a much easier time getting the offensive board. Really smart construction here by LA. The way the Lakers ran from Miami misses has been outstanding and the biggest difference maker in the 1st. In a weird rotation choice, they kept Dwight and AD together as LeBron sits

The Whispers in Milwaukee Turn to Screams

The regular season is about your strengths but the playoffs are about your weaknesses . I'm paraphrasing Nate Duncan but it's a valuable quote that could not apply more to the fallen contenders and Giannis Antetokounmpo himself. The NBA and its fanbase love drama, and I do as well. Just a couple of weeks ago, I would have told you without hesitation that Anthony Davis will stay in LA and Giannis will re-sign with the Bucks. This was what we all knew deep down (and probably still know) but that never stopped anyone from clicking in the next "Can the Knicks use their cap scape to land a superstar in the summer?" article or "Are starts excited by the prospect of playing with RJ Barrett?" think-piece (Spoiler: it's a no on both accounts. Sorry Kicks fans). But for all our certainties, the Milwaukee Bucks had a chip-on-Butler's-shoulder-sized wrench thrown in their plans and the speculation about the future of the 2-time MVP's 1   future (absolutely f

East Semis Game 6: (3-3) Toronto Raptors 125 - 122 Boston Celtics (3-3)

1st Half Marc Gasol is hidden on Marcus Smart to keep him out from being a part of the Kemba Walker pick and rolls. This has been a important on how Kemba has decreased his production after the first couple of games, as well as FVV harassing him in the dreaded box-and-1 (more on that later). You can see them pre-switch as soon as they see that Theis is going to set the pick .   While Boston didn’t start very hot from the floor, despite Marcus Smart scoring the first 9 points for his team on 3 attempts from deep, the Raptors were completely unable to score as they continues to be negated any quality perimeter looks. Plus the transition defense by the Celtics has been nothing short of remarkable all series  (In the first instance, Theis sinks and Kemba stunts to stop Siakam’s momentum, Smart then does a great job staying with FVV in the second attempt to attack inside, stunts to help on Siakam again and the possession ends with an OG isolation against Jaylen Brown and the Celtics with li

East Semis Game 1: (0-1) Milwaukee Bucks 104 v 115 Miami Heat (1-0)

1st Half Lopez is meeting Bam a bit higher up on the court than standard for the Bucks and Miami is looking to exploit that with cutting [   ] - especially a player like Robinson that they are focused on top locking because of the threat posed by the handoff with Bam . And if Lopez tries to sag off they do act on it as expected . One thing that first clip displays is something I can’t help but think as I watch the game unfold… If Butler hadn’t lost his jump shot completely this offense would be so freaking awesome. (How prophetic...) A nice little chess match happened halfway through the 1st: - Lopez sits down and Giannis slide into the 5. The Heat try to take advantage of a smaller opposition to attack the inside from a small-small pick and roll. However, Giannis isn’t afraid of a Bam jumper in a kick out so he stays and protects the rim . - Immediately, Spo increases the spacing by having Kelly-O subbed in for Bam. Now, Bud wastes no time putting Lopez back in the game despite havin

The Completed First Round Series

Toronto Raptors 4 - 0 Brooklyn Nets The least eventful of the entire first round, with a Nets team without any of their best players had to face an extremely deep and well coached Raptors team. Regardless, two things are worth mentioning: Fred Van Vleet becoming truly the main operator of the offense for the team a Lowry take more off a secondary creator and off-ball role. In Game 2, as the Nets built momentum in the second half behind LeVert's crazy makes from floater range, FVV lead the team to a 19-5 run to start the final quarter and finished the game with 24 point and 10 assists.  The other pressing thought is about the aforementioned Caris LeVert. The combo guard-wing scored 35 points in the elimination game and averaged nearly 10 assists throughout the series. With Irving and Dinwiddie ahead of him in the pecking order, a guard that thrives with the ball in his hands might not have the best environment. LeVert's extension also kicks in next year and it starts at over 16