The Cleveland Cavaliers have now begun the 2009-10 NBA season 0-2. Fans are worried, the media is already writing them off, but Coach Mike Moreau has some ideas on what the Cavs need to address to get past this little hiccup. If Coach Moreau were in charge, this is how he would handle a team video session today. As you read this, picture Coach with a video screen pointing out specific plays to the players he's talking to and about.
Take it away Coach!
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Nobody is happy about what happened last night. But, the worst thing we can do is let emotion get in the way of the adjustments and improvement we need to make. It's all fixable today in practice. In general, we've got three areas we need to focus on this afternoon: our precision, decision making, and our finishing.
Our screens, cuts and all of our actions need to be more precise -75% effort or 2 possessions out of 3 isn't good enough. We have to focus on the possession by possession precision we will need to score against good defenses in close games. And we've got to have the mental and physical effort that goes along with that.
Our decision making is not very good right now - we are shooting when we should be driving, dribbling when we should be passing, attacking the rim when we should be pulling up, etc. There will be some natural improvement of this from game to game and as you guys play together more. We all know that, but we can't rely on it to fix itself. We have to understand the sense of importance of how mentally locked in we have to be right now and accelerate that improvement.
Right now we are shooting a poor percentage and not finishing plays at the rim. If we want to be where we want to at the end of the year, this has to start getting better now. More focus in practice, better mental preparation, more pre-game intensity. We will have an extended, timed shooting session to start today's workout. Coaches, let's make sure we have that game intensity right from the start – everything at game speed.
We as coaches must also do a better job of keeping the offensive action flowing, putting guys in the right places and giving you more opportunities to make easier plays. That's on us. We'll get that done.
I know we are a little frustrated right now, but all of this is fixable - you guys know that. So let's lock in, take a look at the tape and look at some specifics:
1. First and foremost, LeBron, we can't get into the "Stare down - take on the whole team off the dribble" so early in the shot clock. I've given you too much leeway here – that's on me. Here you are at 14 seconds on the shot clock, with all four Raptor help defenders with a foot in the paint and staring at you. It's 1 vs. 5, and you spin into traffic and throw it away. You do the same thing on the left side, holding the ball with 12 on the clock, just allowing the defense to dig in. You drive into all five guys, and take a shot that's tough even for you.
Again, this is my fault, because I've allowed you to carry this load for too long. We're going to start easing some of that burden today.
We have to create more action off the ball when LeBron makes the catch. Our hard and fast rule will be this: When LBJ has an iso situation, the other four guys immediately screen big on small on their side of the floor – pindowns and flare screens. Right away. No reads for now – just automatic.
Bron, this gives you room to immediately attack, but also puts the defense in motion and gives you passing options. So when Bron catches on top or on the wing, you other guys have to immediately go to work. And Bron, you can't just stand there and hold it. Go and create, and this should give you more room and more options – should be easier for you. But you gotta go right away.
Anthony, you did the "hold and stare down" here in the corner. You either have to attack right away, or drive hard at a defender to set up a shooter. You got locked up or turned it over when you tried to play iso. A couple of other times you went one-one-one and took a tough, contested shot. So, we're not giving you that option now. Mo, you got jammed off the dribble too – right here. You went nowhere and got locked up. Drive it hard in one direction, so we can get some action around that. Be definitive and attack.
2. Secondly, Shaq, we can't take advantage of your size when you set weak screens. As you can see here, play after play, you barely give the guards any chance to use you - you just kind of show and go, which gets us nothing. You should be the best ballscreener in the league.
Right now, it's Dwight Howard – because he stays wide, holds his screens, delays a count, then goes. You're still the biggest, baddest man on the court, but not when you're playing two-hand touch. You should be crushing guys, and right now, you aren't letting our ballhandlers run defenders into you. Ballhandlers, wait on Shaq, let him set, then go.
After the screen, as you guys can see, all of the attention goes to Shaq on the roll. So, in the mid-rotation, this is where we have to attack. But right now, we aren't recognizing the opportunities.
Boobie, see right here where you catch and hold? Anthony, see the drive opportunity you have on this one? Mo, see where you go sideways and don't create anything? Unless you guys have the wide open spot up, this has to be driven immediately.
Perimeter guys, the coaches will be drilling this on the court as your primary focus today. You can't just settle for jump shots. Mo, you and Anthony are our starting backcourt and shooting a combined 14-43 from the floor. Some of that is fundamental execution, but a lot of that is decision making. I know you guys will work to get better at that – starting today.
3. The third thing we need to look at is this: Z, Anderson, J.J., we need to really focus on this action here. Shaq, your roll has to be to the front of the rim – not the block. As you guys see this, look at this big hole around the foul line – gaping hole, guys. Drive a truck through it. When Shaq makes that dive, you three guys have to look to flash into that foul line area.
That's a jump shot for all of you guys, with our big man at the rim for the offensive rebound. Or, it's a high-low dump down for Shaq inside. And Shaq, we can't have the weak finishes against a soft front line like last night. The front of the rim is where you punish people. That's what we need.
And Z, Anderson, 6-23 from the two of you in the first 2 games is not what we expect. Post guys, the coaches will be focusing today on us making that flash and shooting that shot. We'll spend some time later working on the high-low option out of our regular offensive set – it will become a big part of our offense – even with LeBron as the 4. You guys have seen the way the Lakers execute it with Pau, Bynum and Lamar. We can be better at it than them – we have better passers.
4. One other look here - we were very good in the LeBron post ups last night – we got great cutting action here on these three plays. LeBron, you did a great job finding cutters on these two assists, and then a great reversal, with a hard cut by Jamario here for the dunk. We got great cutting action on almost every possession - more action, harder cuts, precision timing – you guys see the results.
Again, we'll look at the defense later tonight. But this afternoon, let's get focused on improving offensively. Precision – Decision Making – Finishing Plays.
Let's go to work – we stretch in 30.
