End of Game Situations -- What is the Real Problem?

[Getting Traded]

It seems like our games are truly "deju-vu all over again." Night after night we lose close games at crunch time. The way I see it is that Andy Larsen's analysis truly captures the problem -- we aren't getting the calls.

On offense Hayward and Favors are constantly getting hammered and seldom getting the calls. On the other end, guys are pushing, holding (especially Rudy), and illegally screening and aren't getting called.

I really believe you can attribute a lot of our losses to a lack of respect from the referees. Tell me if I'm wrong.

 

[RandyForRubio]

Talent.

 

[candrew]

The book on Gobert is if you get physical with him he'll either turn the ball over on offense or not come up with 50/50 balls on defense. This is readily obvious game in / game out. Yes, he does get hammered. You really think the refs are there to bail him out every night?

 

[ghsartin]

The non-calls are indeed a problem. It seems to me, though, that an even bigger problem is the lack of go-to moves on the part our main offensive threats: Hayward, Favors and Hood. It is true that Hayward has perfected that step-back jumper of his, but that is an unlikely play for end of game situations, especially because the opposing defense has the move figured out. He has no counter move or no secundary go-to move. If you think I'm being hyperbolic, please just remember that pathetic try of his to post-up a much smaller player in the last game against Boston. Plus, Hayward is not really what we could call a "natural shooter"; he has improved a lot, but his shooting touch is not exactly great, which means he has a somewhat hard time making "wild" shots. Favors, although gifted with good athleticism has no go-to moves inside whatsoever. Besides, he seems to miss 18-foot jumpers at the end of every other game. His jumper, in general, seems improved, but not to the point in which he can be trusted to take one at the end of the game. Hood seems to be, between the three, the most capable of creating his own shot at end-game situations. But he is not really that athletic and his drives usually end up with him shooting over an opponent - which is a really tough shot to make. Plus, he is not experienced enought... yet. Perhaps next year he'll be the clear go-to man, since he also seems to have a better shooting touch than Hayward.