TL:DR: Klay doesn't just hit 3s, but also the type 3s we need.
The issue in the finals wasn't just that our role players were missing 3s, it was how those 3s were generated. Credit to Joe Mazzulla, the Celtics put their PF (Tatum or Horford) on either of our centers, and put their center (KP or Horford) on one of our wings. Every guard-to-big PnR (EX: Lively screening for Luka, Gafford screening for Kyrie) would be switched, and every guard-to-guard or guard-to-wing PnR (EX: DJJ screening for Luka, PJ screening for Kyrie) would lead to a double team. This neutralized our PnR game for our bigs because there would always be a roaming rim protector in the paint, and it forced our wings to relocate and shoot above-the-break 3s, which are shots they aren't comfortable with. We tried to supplement this by using THJ and Maxi Kleber, but they couldn't hit those shots either. This forced Luka and Kyrie to play hero ball with tough shots in nearly every possession, where the Celtics' defensive ability and versatility shined.
Enter Klay Thompson. Since the unfortunate injuries, Klay has lost a step and then some trying to get around screens for open shots. His already weak handle doesn't accommodate for his lack of burst, he's never been that great a finisher, and his roll threats outside of TJD aren't very strong, so his overreliance on his jumper leads to some really bad games like the 0/10 game. Because of this, the Warriors pivoted to using him as a screener more, as he set 37.7 ball screens/100 possessions last season, the most in the NBA and more than the entire Mavericks team did last season. The Warriors, however, still run a motion offense, which still works well for Klay, but tires him out considerably. His number actually became better when he came off the bench in a short stretch last season after the ASB, and he shot 46% (!!!) on open (closest defender 4-6 feet) catch & shoot 3s. This isn't to say we should bench Klay, but it's clear that less mileage on his legs and less offensive attention leads to better production. So where do the Mavs fit in all this?
His innate ability to relocate off of these screens gives our offense a whole new dynamic, as you can get very creative with the way you use him as a screener. Combining this with Luka and Kyrie's scoring out of the PnR and ISOs, great rollers in Gafford and Lively, and solid floor spacers surrounding them, he becomes a chaos agent in a headache-inducing offense. He'll still maintain his volume of open shots while not having to work as hard to get them, as defenses will have a number of other threats to worry about. His spacing ability and quick jumper also open up the middle of the floor for Luka and Kyrie on isolations, which will give them a lot more space to operate with.
I expect our offense to be one of (top 5), if not the best, in the NBA. While we were a bit more than "a Klay Thompson away" from winning the finals, getting him was a huge step in the right direction. Thank you Nico!
P.S: As for the defense, Klay might fix another issue we had in the finals, but that's for another post.
Klay Thompson: Our solution to the pick-and-pop problem
byu/BalanceCandid5179 inMavericks
6 comments
You can see the form difference in Kleber,DJJ and others and Klay. Hjs form is far more crisper. On top of that look at some Quentin grimes highlights his form is excellent and his release is quick. NAJI also has great form and a decent release. So this is not just Klay we’re gonna have better 3pt shooters who are not scared around the board. Grimes isn’t scared to shoot 3s like green. NAJI isn’t scared either and his shot doesn’t take 20 seconds to load like djj. Klay doesn’t make stupid decisions and cause fast breaks like THJ and is the way better shooter.
So across the board our 3pt shooting talent has gone up.
Really hope it works out. Im a fan of the mavs but a longer fan of klay.
I didnt need to relive those wide open bricks man ):
It’s not just Klay.
Hopefully Naji’s 38% last year from 3 is not a fluke and something he can build upon. The same magic that DJJ got spoon-fed (Wide. Open. Looks.) last should do wonders for him, just like DJJ. Also, Naji’s shooting mechanics are better than DJJ’s.
Then there’s Grimes. Who has shown a good average over a healthy amount of attempts per game.
Throw in Winwiddie who put up career numbers in attempts and average when he was here. We aren’t as dependent on him as before, but if we can find that groove again it’ll be beautiful.
This FO say a glaring hole that was covered up since the trade deadline and manageable but became glaring and unbearable during the Finals. I believe they fixed it in spades.
Raise The Banner.
I think PJ getting better on 3s is more important. He will probably be the one left most open.
Also, I do like the way this video was made. In the Klay highlights, a lot of the action is very similar to what the Mavs run.
Klay sets the screen for the ball handler, slips it and finds a little space for 3.
Then there was the double drags with Steph, Looney and Klay (I saw one against Boston and one against Utah), where Looney and Klay set screens for Steph and then Looney sets one for Klay. Insert whomever of our 3 ball handlers into that with Lively or Gafford. Recipe for disaster for the defense.