I think more plays can be run where Gay and Cuz compliment each other better and use each other to get higher percentage shots/easier shots than the common ISO plays we see.
Going to Gay in the ISO/post is a gift to the other teams DEF. While Gay can score this way, he doesn't with enough efficincy to make the other team double. It allows their Defense to rest and often ends in a average FG attempt or a turnover.
I think there is a better way to use him and his talents. When Gay is at his best is when the Defenders are moving. This allows him to drive past his man, or work to a better spot for a high percentage shot near the hoop, where he IS ELITE.
How do we get him more attempts where he is elite you ask? Well, my nifty solution is through Cuz and Gay pick n roll game starting from the high post specifically closer to the elbow about 5 to 6 feet inside the 3. Why? Because here you can easily (opposed to the failed attempts to toss it in to Cuz in the traditional post spot) toss the ball to either here sense the defender cant front this far from the hoop. Now the other 3 kings clear to the far side of the court (this is why you post at the elbow so there is room to work and space for teammates to clear to). Other reasons for this spot are, Cuz and Gay can both quickly attack the rim off the dribble from this spot while and neither have a live dribble started for the defender to harrass. From here, both I think are very dangerous given their ability to pass, attack the rim off dribble, or shoot a high %jumper. At the same time, it is harder for defense to double effectively as Gay or Cuz will be able to see it coming easier, and with their height (especially Gay when smaller guy is on him) see and pass over the top. And if doubled here, neither Defender can get back to the rim quickly to help on a cutter.
Now, visualize, Gay gets the feed about 5 feet inside the 3 point line on the elbow. He turns to face up and Defender steps back once to gaurd against the drive...now Cuz either cuts to right under the rim (after ben sets a screen to force defender to trail Cuz, and Gay hits him for easy layin. Or Cuz comes all the way over, sets screen, gay drives around screen and Cuz turns and begins to roll to hoop....freeze it...BOTH denders are now having to move their feet to shuffle around the screen. This way, Gay or cousins isn't attacking a set defender! Now its pick your poison time for the def...Gay now has a live dribble near the rim where he is elite. He can either pull up for a short jumper, drive further for one of his nice flips, or drive for layup. Any of these attempt are very good shots. OR he drop off to Cuz who is even better than Gay when the defenders are moving and not set this close to the rim.
I think this would lead to more easy bucketts for both, more fouls on Def, LESS OFFENSIVE FOULS on Cuz, more energy from opposing DEFENSE to be used and less from Gay/Cuz (gets tiring pushing and shoving all game for position)....Allows Gay and Cuz to capitalize on both their talents to make things easier than if they are attacking 1 on 1. From here all sorts of fun stuff can happen aside from the 2 man game, from off the ball cutters, more USEFULL motion, open 3's etc. I think this should be a staple of the offense as it is easy to get into, less turnover prone, QUICKER to get into so the defense has to play for a full shot clock (again make them use their energy on this end of the court). Either Gay or Cuz can start in the high elbow post spot.
In summary, a 2 man Cuz and Gay attack is far superior to the Gay or Cuz iso. When they work off each other they will plus each other. I think the coach/scheme does a poor job of taking advantage of these two guys when they are on the court at the same time. I've seen them do this a couple of times (which inspired me to right this post) and it always lead to an easy bucket. I've scratched my head at why they don't do it more.
Going to Gay in the ISO/post is a gift to the other teams DEF. While Gay can score this way, he doesn't with enough efficincy to make the other team double. It allows their Defense to rest and often ends in a average FG attempt or a turnover.
I think there is a better way to use him and his talents. When Gay is at his best is when the Defenders are moving. This allows him to drive past his man, or work to a better spot for a high percentage shot near the hoop, where he IS ELITE.
How do we get him more attempts where he is elite you ask? Well, my nifty solution is through Cuz and Gay pick n roll game starting from the high post specifically closer to the elbow about 5 to 6 feet inside the 3. Why? Because here you can easily (opposed to the failed attempts to toss it in to Cuz in the traditional post spot) toss the ball to either here sense the defender cant front this far from the hoop. Now the other 3 kings clear to the far side of the court (this is why you post at the elbow so there is room to work and space for teammates to clear to). Other reasons for this spot are, Cuz and Gay can both quickly attack the rim off the dribble from this spot while and neither have a live dribble started for the defender to harrass. From here, both I think are very dangerous given their ability to pass, attack the rim off dribble, or shoot a high %jumper. At the same time, it is harder for defense to double effectively as Gay or Cuz will be able to see it coming easier, and with their height (especially Gay when smaller guy is on him) see and pass over the top. And if doubled here, neither Defender can get back to the rim quickly to help on a cutter.
Now, visualize, Gay gets the feed about 5 feet inside the 3 point line on the elbow. He turns to face up and Defender steps back once to gaurd against the drive...now Cuz either cuts to right under the rim (after ben sets a screen to force defender to trail Cuz, and Gay hits him for easy layin. Or Cuz comes all the way over, sets screen, gay drives around screen and Cuz turns and begins to roll to hoop....freeze it...BOTH denders are now having to move their feet to shuffle around the screen. This way, Gay or cousins isn't attacking a set defender! Now its pick your poison time for the def...Gay now has a live dribble near the rim where he is elite. He can either pull up for a short jumper, drive further for one of his nice flips, or drive for layup. Any of these attempt are very good shots. OR he drop off to Cuz who is even better than Gay when the defenders are moving and not set this close to the rim.
I think this would lead to more easy bucketts for both, more fouls on Def, LESS OFFENSIVE FOULS on Cuz, more energy from opposing DEFENSE to be used and less from Gay/Cuz (gets tiring pushing and shoving all game for position)....Allows Gay and Cuz to capitalize on both their talents to make things easier than if they are attacking 1 on 1. From here all sorts of fun stuff can happen aside from the 2 man game, from off the ball cutters, more USEFULL motion, open 3's etc. I think this should be a staple of the offense as it is easy to get into, less turnover prone, QUICKER to get into so the defense has to play for a full shot clock (again make them use their energy on this end of the court). Either Gay or Cuz can start in the high elbow post spot.
In summary, a 2 man Cuz and Gay attack is far superior to the Gay or Cuz iso. When they work off each other they will plus each other. I think the coach/scheme does a poor job of taking advantage of these two guys when they are on the court at the same time. I've seen them do this a couple of times (which inspired me to right this post) and it always lead to an easy bucket. I've scratched my head at why they don't do it more.
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