Atlantic Hoops - NBA Blog

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...

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 Celtic...

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 h...