Unc & Iso Joe EMOTIONAL seeing James Harden & Mitchell FINALLY DELIVER in the Playoffs! | Nightcap
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Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖The Cavaliers secured their Game 7 victory over the Raptors primarily due to Jared Allen's dominant performance, including 22 points and 19 rebounds.
- ❖Toronto's inability to secure defensive rebounds, giving up 20 offensive boards, was a critical factor in their defeat.
- ❖James Harden and Donovan Mitchell, despite scoring, were inefficient, with Allen's play compensating for their struggles.
- ❖The hosts predict the Pistons will have a slight edge over the Cavaliers in the upcoming series, citing Detroit's strong defense and Cade Cunningham's offensive threat.
- ❖Donovan Mitchell has never advanced past the second round of the playoffs in his five attempts, often 'coming up small' in crucial moments.
- ❖The modern NBA favors scoring point guards who command max contracts, leading to a scarcity of traditional, pass-first facilitators.
- ❖Teams must avoid taking ill-advised three-pointers when holding a lead, as this can allow opponents back into the game and energize the crowd.
Insights
1Jared Allen's Game 7 Dominance
Jared Allen delivered a monster performance with 22 points on 7-of-11 shooting and 19 rebounds in Game 7. His ability to score off offensive rebounds, dives to the rim, and lobs, combined with his outstanding defense, was deemed essential for the Cavaliers' victory, compensating for the inefficient shooting nights of James Harden and Donovan Mitchell.
Jared Allen had 22 points on 7-11 shooting, 19 rebounds. The host states, 'I'm afraid if he didn't have a game like this, I'm not so sure they win this ball game.'
2Toronto's Rebounding Deficiency
Toronto's significant rebounding deficit was identified as the primary reason for their Game 7 loss. They gave up 20 offensive rebounds and were minus 27 in total rebounds (Cleveland 60, Toronto 33), leading to an estimated 20-25 second-chance points for Cleveland.
Toronto lost this game on the offensive glass. You gave up 20 offensive rebounds. You was minus 27 in the rebounding category. They had Cleveland 60 rebounds. Toronto 33.
3Pistons' Defensive Matchup Advantage
The Pistons' defensive backcourt, featuring Cade Cunningham and Thompson, is expected to be a major problem for Donovan Mitchell and James Harden. These defenders are capable of 'getting up into' opposing guards, making shooting difficult, and Cunningham himself is a high-volume scorer who Cleveland lacks a clear defensive answer for.
Kate Cunningham and Thompson can defend their asses off. So if you think they struggle shooting the basketball against Toronto, you got two guys that will get up into you. Cunningham is going to be able to get whatever he wants whenever he wants. They ain't got nobody to stay in front of him.
4Challenges for Donovan Mitchell in Later Playoff Rounds
Donovan Mitchell, despite impressive career playoff scoring averages and multiple 50-point games, has a history of 'coming up small' in crucial moments and has never advanced past the second round in his five attempts. This inconsistency is a concern for the Cavaliers' deep playoff run.
Donovan Mitchell... has he ever been past the second round? He's never advanced past the second round. And a lot of times he's come up small.
5The Evolution of the Point Guard Position
The hosts observe a significant shift in the NBA's point guard role. Traditional, pass-first facilitators like Magic Johnson or John Stockton are rare, as the league now prioritizes scoring point guards who can put pressure on defenses and command max contracts. This trend makes it difficult for teams like Toronto to find a conventional point guard.
The point guard in today's game... they're the most important player on the team... you got to be different... the days of having a Magic Johnson and a Stockton and and and and a Jason Kid, that's over.
Bottom Line
The market value for NBA point guards is heavily skewed towards scoring-first players, making traditional facilitators a rare and undervalued commodity.
Teams looking for a classic 'pass-first' point guard will struggle to find one at a reasonable price or with the necessary offensive threat to compete in today's league. This forces teams to develop playmaking from other positions or adapt their offensive schemes.
Identify and develop non-traditional playmakers (e.g., bigs, wings) who can initiate offense and facilitate, or invest in scouting for undervalued international or collegiate point guards who still prioritize passing and game management over scoring volume.
Key Concepts
Rebounding as 'Want-To'
The hosts emphasize that rebounding is less about size and more about desire and effort, citing examples like Charles Barkley and Dennis Rodman. Jared Allen's 19-rebound performance in Game 7 exemplifies this 'want-to' mentality, where a player's sheer will to get the ball outweighs physical advantages.
Lessons
- Prioritize rebounding effort and defensive discipline, especially on the offensive glass, as it directly translates to second-chance points and game control.
- Develop consistent offensive contributions from role players and bigs (like Jared Allen and Evan Mobley) to alleviate pressure on star guards, particularly when facing strong defensive matchups.
- Implement varied defensive schemes and 'different looks' against elite offensive players like Cade Cunningham to prevent them from consistently exploiting single matchups.
- For teams with young talent, emphasize the importance of consolidating road wins and maintaining leads by working the ball for high-percentage shots rather than relying on ill-advised three-pointers.
- When building a roster, recognize the modern NBA's emphasis on scoring point guards and consider how to either acquire such a player or compensate for the lack of a traditional facilitator through team-wide playmaking.
Quotes
"Rebounding is about want to because you look at a guy like a Charles Barkley, 6'4, led the league in rebounding. You look at a guy like Dennis Rodman that led the league in rebounding what eight, nine times. He wanted the ball."
"If I'm if I'm a team and my focal point is to slow down Mitchell and Harden, then you got to have these dudes with energy and effort plays. Moy and Allen, bro, they shouldn't you shouldn't be able to guard them."
"He's never advanced past the second round. And a lot of times he's come up small."
"The point guard in today's game, Uncle Oo, is equivalent to the quarterback, bro. They're the most important player on the team."
"It's a three-point league now and everybody want to shoot them, but everybody just because just because you're allowed to, that doesn't make that don't make you a great three-point shooter because you got a green light."
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