Now, with the trade for KAT, we hear more and more of a 5-out offense. With a center that shoots 41.6% from 3, that quickly becomes a very efficient shot. This opens up the floor where all our wings thrive.

Now, we can clearly do both depending on which team is our opponent. But my guess is we will be running a 5 out with KAT on the floor and basically a run and gun when the starters sit. I feel like a 4-1 is more Thibs’ style. Get KAT more involved and let him roll out to the 3 off any ball screens. BigKAT puts a lot of pressure on the defense, particularly if the wings are inclined to drive and not just sit back and rain 3s.

Kind of feel like Boston’s 5-0 is a step ahead of ours at the moment, but the 4-1 Wildcat is going to be familiar. Like riding a bike.

What do you guys think? What’s the best offense we can do with this personnel? I know there are some X’s and O’s guys here.

Thibs featured Kat in the post when he coached him in Minny and I expect we will see Kat get some looks down low. In a 4-out-1-in set, Kat can begin in the short corner or the dunker-spot which is what they call it today. Once the ball rotates, Kat can move from the dunker spot and duck-in to the paint for a quick post-up. Another option would be to emulate what the Celtics do and hunt mismatches on the switch. KP often will set a screen on a guard, then he will back down the guard on the switch for a quick post up. Kat gives us lots of options that I hope we utilize.

martin wrote:I'm not good at X's and O's but these guys are

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Never heard of these guys....thanks for posting. I will definitely follow up with them during the season. I coahed HS ball for close to ten years and I love the X's and O's. I have dozens of coaching clinic DVDs in the garage, Pitino, Jay Wright, Calhoun, Sean Miller, etc.

Watching the Spain action in the clip you posted will open up other openings if Mcbride is able to knock down that shot with consistency. Payne does a great job of ball-faking which freezes McBride's defender which allow him to get the open look. Subtle things like that are invaluable and its one the reasons why Payne is going to get playing time. If McBride can continue to knock down that shot, eventually, Payne will find himself open for a pull-up or a floater if both defenders cheat over to Deuce without communicating. Also, notice before McBride pops up to the 3-pt line, he sets a back screen on the man gaurding Sims...If that was Towns, the defender wouldn;t have been able to lay-off like he did Sims which allowed him to catch Sims before he rolled to the basket. Towns would be able to rub off that screen and catch the lob....Good set...

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fishmike wrote:

martin wrote:

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after watching Thibs here for 4 years I am 100% convinced this is top tier developmental coach, and that goes for veterans also. My point? Simple... KAT is gonna get better under Thibs... Again.

IDK what they cook up but I have high expectations. It's an incredible offensive line up that is gonna get a ton of stops. We just need to own the boards. That's my only worry of things that keep this top 5 squad from the top 1-2 spots.

Reasonable concern. Its a bit of the flaw in a 5 out system though. Hard to rebound PF/C combination that is boxing out. I think the best guess is that a 3 point barrage will result in more long rebounds giving the longer wingspan wings to get involved. It speaks to a guy like Hart that catches a lot of rebounds from outside the box. His shooting in the playoffs gave me hope that he can be better than a 31% 3pt shooter in the overall scheme and that his innate rebounding skill will assist.

Begs the question what wings like Hart have solid rebounding skills, defense and serviceable shooting?

https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask?q=who+are+the+best+rebounding+wings+in+2023-24+with+a+defensive+rating+of+115+or+lower

Its Hart.