[Grades] Grades v. Pacers 1/23/2016

[mac]

Marco came into the NBA a pretty decent athlete (very decent) with solid 2 guard size and he was crap on defense than as well so I don't belevie it's as much a physical issue as some are making out. There's a number of poor athletes who play defense well/at a acceptable level it's clearly a effort/desire thing. You would think someone with his experience and basketball iq would be at worst slightly below average rather he's rock bottom.

 

[hrdboild]

Thing is, a player missing shots is not something you "adjust". All players go through cold stretches, and you can't make it a precedent that you bench guys when that happens, or else it has team-wide confidence effects. Marco is a great shooter. He's one of the best in the game. He's not physically gifted on defense, which is his problem, not really effort. So no, you don't bench a vet with championship experience, recent 3 pt. contest champ, perennial great shooter, because of a five game cold streak.

Missing shots is understandable, percentages will even out if they're good shots. From what I've seen Marco is killing his own percentage by forcing off-balance contested jumpers that he really shouldn't be taking. I don't think benching him is necessarily the answer -- I didn't agree with the Ben benching early in the season either. It's an over-reaction rather than an adjustment. But he does need to be encouraged to stop looking for his own shot so much. If he were only taking the shots that Omri is taking, for instance, I think he'd be right at his career average. I don't know who is more at fault for the shot selection and I don't want to speculate, but at least give him a chance to get that under control. That's fair and we need his contribution off the bench. If he flat refuses to get his shots within the flow of the offense even after we make it a point of emphasis, than you maybe talk about benching him.