<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (FOMW @ Mar 9 2008, 01:06 AM)
<{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I think Carter's injury was significantly limiting him pre-cortisone (in other words, pre January 29th). But I think he is close enough to 100% to still be plenty dangerous if utilized properly. Problem is, he isn't being utilized properly (nor is Harris, for that matter.) Frank apparently needs a ton of bricks to fall on him to realize that the surest way to get Vince scoring IN THE PAINT and going to the foul line early is to put him
in the post. My God, he scored incredibly easy from that location in San Antonio on two early possessions. NEVER SAW IT the rest of the game. After a horrible start in Memphis, he scored from the post in the third. Never saw it again. He never got the ball once in the post against Dallas.
In the spring of 04-05 when Vince had arguably the best stretch of his career, he started more games than not on the baselines, back to the basket, 10 feet and in. He was deadly from the post, and it's generally much easier from a physical standpoint for him to create for teammates from there than from the the top of the key (where Frank utilizes him almost exclusively as an initiator now). He doesn't have to put the same stress on the ankle, doesn't have to utilize quick stops and changes of direction as much, which result in more energy having to be applied and absorbed by the legs. It's so freaking obvious, yet
WE NEVER SEE THIS NOW. WHY“
Yes, the team just made a major trade. Yes it's going to be very difficult trying to work in major players on the fly, especially a point guard. I also don't expect miracles when Boki Nachbar is your designated shooter. But many of Frank's offensive "sets" SUCK. Face it. They don't begin to produce anything close to high quality,
rhythm shots, and don't think for a moment that that lack of "rhythm" to the Nets' sets isn't a significant factor in why they shoot such a low percentage. All 20 foot jump shots are not created equal.
I cringed tonight when I saw Frank run that ridiculous play where the PG hands to Vince, who brings the ball to the left side, hands it to the 5 (Krstic, in this case), jogs through the lane, around a baseline screen and back out to grab the ball back from Krstic. What did this "play" accomplish? Let's see: it made Vince run an extra 15 steps and take an extra 8 seconds off the clock to wind up 20 feet from the hoop with no option except that which he might create on the fly under time pressure from that point on. And, of course, once wasn't enough for this great "set". They ran it AGAIN, with more abysmal results, the next time down.
I don't really know what the deal is with Frank. He seems to know the game when you hear him speak about it. He can back up his observations with great detail and statistical foundation. He often draws up effective plays after time outs and usually does a decent job in last shot situations of getting the ball to the right player for a last second shot. But his offense, particularly last year and this year, just looks pathetic on the whole. Short answer, it's not all the players' fault. Not by a long shot.</div>
Putting Carter in the post is an excellent idea. It won't work in all situations, but it does make sense to get Carter closer to the basket.
He does look better after the cortisone shot, but looks far from 100% to me. He doesn't seem to get as good elevation as he used to on many of his jump shots for example. But reducing the stress on Carter's ankle and the energy he expends is a good idea.
The motion offense probably has to go, although it may be difficult to change midseason.
