JesseDark wrote:We neeed a natural PF that can defend and shoot. I think teams have figured out playing with Josh Hart.

Was going to post on Hart last night and stopped myself because I'd already whined enough but a new day and some additional whining.

While Hart has received many accolades thus far this year for his high shooting %s, his rebounding and his solid assist #s I have been severely underwhelmed with everything he does defensively. He did a lot of the same stuff last year (he and Donte gambled all the time and often lost).

- His on ball D has been non-existent
- guys (1-4) blow by him like he's not even there
- he's constantly gambling (ex anticipating a guy is going to dribble right but guy blows by him with left hand)
- he's losing cutters all the time
- he's often late/lost on rotations (see Julius Randle)
- he doesn't seemed locked in and/or fully serious sometimes

It looks like he's worked on and probably still working extra time on his shooting (is the poor D the consequence of extra shooting)?

Overall he's the type of guy that makes wow plays - be it a big rebound, a length of court dribble for and and 1 bucket or a timely 3 BUT he's not moving laterally defensively and he's not locked in off ball or on rotations.

He's better than this but doesn't fully seem to care.

From beginning of camp I didn't think Hart's best role was +35 minutes with starters. I think we are best served with a better defender/ball handler as the 5th guy or a longer rim protector (Precious) who also defends. For me I think best Josh hart is energizer bunny off bench for 28-32 minutes a night an NO GUARANTEE that he finishes game unless defense is on point.

NYKBocker wrote:Thibs defense works better with a defensive center that can protect the paint so perimeter defenders can switch all over. We will be fine once Mitch comes back defensive wise

And there goes your floor spreading and high-end offense -- at least until Mitch comes up lame 5 minutes into 2nd game.

LivingLegend wrote:

VDesai wrote:BTW coming into this game Atlanta was the worst in the NBA in 3pt defense by FG%. We shot 11/42 from 3 and had plenty of looks. Our defense wasn't amazing, but we held the Hawks to 108 when they came in averaging over 116 and among the fastest pace in the NBA. The scored because they were able to smoke us on the offensive boards or we could've easily held them under 100. We definitely didn't make the shots they gave us.

Thibs also calling out Jacyn Goble - that dude definitely put his whistle in his pocket at some point. There was a pretty absurd minute where Deuce got tackled and Anunoby get smacked in the face and we didn't see a whistle anywhere.

Yes - crazy how sucky shooting and mindless decisions with the ball can lose you a game like last night.

BigDaddyG wrote:

LivingLegend wrote:

VDesai wrote:BTW coming into this game Atlanta was the worst in the NBA in 3pt defense by FG%. We shot 11/42 from 3 and had plenty of looks. Our defense wasn't amazing, but we held the Hawks to 108 when they came in averaging over 116 and among the fastest pace in the NBA. The scored because they were able to smoke us on the offensive boards or we could've easily held them under 100. We definitely didn't make the shots they gave us.

Thibs also calling out Jacyn Goble - that dude definitely put his whistle in his pocket at some point. There was a pretty absurd minute where Deuce got tackled and Anunoby get smacked in the face and we didn't see a whistle anywhere.

Yes - crazy how sucky shooting and mindless decisions with the ball can lose you a game like last night.

This team has average athleticism and sub-par depth. It needs to be smart with the ball and relatively turnover free to compete with good teams. Outside of OG and McBride/Hart at times, we don't really have the type of guys who can still make defensive plays even when they're out of position. The Jalen Johnson types. It usually takes a while for a team to develop that type of discipline and that's why we shouldn't expect to be serious contenders this season. It took Cleveland years. Boston developed it quickly, but they had guys like Smart and Holiday to help quarterback their D.

We made so many bone head offensive plays early that allowed Hawks to stay in a game where we could have been up 12-20 points at half.

Just so many execution and mental lapses for a rotation stuffed with solid veteran players.

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://www.twitter.com/NBA_University/status/1867318987937525967

Josh is a good athlete but he's 6'4" matching up with big dudes and just out muscled occasionally. Mikal has not had the level of impact I would have guessed given his elite wingspan and reputation.

It would absolutely help to have another rangy wing come off the bench. A Herb Jones, Jaden McDaniels type. Someone like Ziare Williams or Noah Clowney from the Nets would be interesting.

VDesai wrote:KAT is a pretty incredible athlete for his size, with an explosive first step. I have never seen a 7 foot, 250lb + player who so easily takes people off the dribble all the way to the basket the way he does.

Josh is a good athlete but he's 6'4" matching up with big dudes and just out muscled occasionally. Mikal has not had the level of impact I would have guessed given his elite wingspan and reputation.

It would absolutely help to have another rangy wing come off the bench. A Herb Jones, Jaden McDaniels type. Someone like Ziare Williams or Noah Clowney from the Nets would be interesting.

I'd describe KAT as more smooth athletically. I don't see him exploding athletically like Giannis. I think his first step which is good, is more of a product of his threat as an outside shooter.

martin wrote:Thibs is given the business too

I wonder what he thinks about Thibs though.

Clean wrote:

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://www.twitter.com/TheHoopCentral/status/1867029486329532693

After having ihart last season this makes me sick. How much rebounds was that?

Where is boxing out? We have like 4 guys under the rim and NO ONE boxes ANYONE out.

ToddTT wrote:

martin wrote:Thibs is given the business too

I wonder what he thinks about Thibs though.

Is there a defense for this? I know we got new guys, some like Kat with less than stellar defensive pedigrees.

Am I wrong to want Thibs fired after watching this video?

franco12 wrote:

ToddTT wrote:

martin wrote:Thibs is given the business too

I wonder what he thinks about Thibs though.

Is there a defense for this? I know we got new guys, some like Kat with less than stellar defensive pedigrees.

Am I wrong to want Thibs fired after watching this video?