He was good. He doesn't have to force the action if the team is playing well with him on, which they were. He had a fine game that got cut short by injury
Game Thread Nov 14, 2024 07:00PM MT: Dallas Mavericks @ Utah Jazz
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Added to Calendar: 11-14-24
Step-Back Lauri
Well-Known Member
Its possible I'm being too hard, he had back spasms and landed hard on his hip few games ago... So I guess it's understandable he veers away from too much contact. I'm on this in few weeks if he still looks so soft.
Only "problem" I see on Lauri's play is that it seems opponents have got the memo and coaches tell everyone to "just put your hand on the ball" when he drives. He just hasnt figured out how to work around that.
Other than that he is fine. The post ups and iso plays are producing some ugly results but thats expected as its a new wrinkle to his game. He doesnt really get the volume to score big numbers but that is mostly due to Jazz being pretty bad ball movement team (also worse than we have been the last two seasons). When he actually finds the wide open space the others just cant find him. This game he had like 3-4 moments where he was wide open in the corner with his hand up, but we didnt pass the ball to him once. Its not like we would ever decline a Lauri corner 3 if the guys could just see him there.
Its obvious we still need a Egor.... I mean a PG.
Other than that he is fine. The post ups and iso plays are producing some ugly results but thats expected as its a new wrinkle to his game. He doesnt really get the volume to score big numbers but that is mostly due to Jazz being pretty bad ball movement team (also worse than we have been the last two seasons). When he actually finds the wide open space the others just cant find him. This game he had like 3-4 moments where he was wide open in the corner with his hand up, but we didnt pass the ball to him once. Its not like we would ever decline a Lauri corner 3 if the guys could just see him there.
Its obvious we still need a Egor.... I mean a PG.
Step-Back Lauri
Well-Known Member
He had all the summer to train. It isn't a new way to take out his drives, they all just now remember to do it. Lower the stance, tighten the grip, use more your shoulder, learn some fakes or spin moves to be more of a force. Not all of them are necessary but learn something to the price tag of his contract would expect for him. Or even polish the mid range shot. Now let's look at Collins who is playing for his mind out there. He comes into this season improved and more poised than ever. I don't say Lauri is bad or anything, but you'd expect more of him as someone whose goal is to be the best Finnish athlete ever.
Things will get easier when he's not the #1 option, but wherever he's going to play post season in the future, their #1 might be out for injuries, so it's kinda good if you're almost maxed out all star could do better on-ball stuff as the first option, even if temporarily. I'm not expecting it become his bread and butter but he needs to improve.
I think the drive issue is the only issue I see which he absolutely needs to fix. Everything else thats not going right is either about him trying to do new things or relates more to how the team around him plays.
I went to check his corner 3s and the attempts are down a lot from past 2 years. He has just 5 corner 3 attempts in 8 games this season, whereas he had 186 total last two seasons which amounted to almost exactly 1.5 per game. So he should have 12 by now with that pace, which probably is still too few. When the opponents guard him tight there and he cuts and is getting some lobs his way... but when the opponent leaves him with space he just doesnt get the ball. Our guards just arent good at reading kickouts to the corner. Thats one of the NBA money shots these days, and should be one of your top options if you have a good shooter patrolling there.
First half was about as perfect as it could go. Flip had everything go right, Keyonte looked good, Cody had a few good plays. The young guys were leading the way and we were down 3. The second half is exactly what we don't want to see, the JCs leading us to wins.
It's hard to be mad when the Jazz win, but these are the types of wins we want to avoid. Hopefully it increases the JCs trade values.
It's hard to be mad when the Jazz win, but these are the types of wins we want to avoid. Hopefully it increases the JCs trade values.
Tanktastic
Well-Known Member
Were you actually even watching the game and see the replays? Dude almost ripped Lauri's eyelid off his face.
If you have no driving threat with the ball in your hands, your 3P and midrange shots will get pressured much more. Its more important he finds ways to drive. That opens up the midrange game completely, as anyone will give you a middy rather than a dunk/layup.
It's officially a nose injury I think.