The Blazers have an opportunity to play a tall 3 forward strategy (LA, Nick, and Myers along with Rolo and Dame) that might allow getting deep into the playoffs. With Aaron injured, the chance to deploy and refine the 3 forward option in the last 3 season games can improve both offense and defense.
On offense, having these 5 on the floor is playing the high percentage shooters, bringing 4 excellent 3-point threats that are hard to defend. With highly skilled passing at the perimeter open 3-point shots, Rolo feeds, and cuts through the paint are created. And offensive rebounds can increase.
On defense, the additional height can allow for defending against the point guard use of the screen for an open shot. This is a new idea that can be called a "screen trap." In the screen trap, Myers would watch for the developing screen and run to position himself on the back side to block (perhaps swat) the shot (from Curry or other point guard). This tall forward trap would strongly limit point guard scoring, and ideally might result in a swat of the ball to the backcourt where Dame could take it to the hoop.
The screen trap would be demanding of high energy anticipation and moving which Myers can do well. In the ideal case, substitution to keep the energy level of the screen trap forward high might be expected. Substitutions to keep the defense more intense are a factor that Blazer coaches might focus on for improvement for the playoffs. Given that moving (and even aggressive) screens are a Blazer defensive weak point, the screen trap and other advantages of a 3 forward tall team strategy offer strategies for improved playoff success.
On offense, having these 5 on the floor is playing the high percentage shooters, bringing 4 excellent 3-point threats that are hard to defend. With highly skilled passing at the perimeter open 3-point shots, Rolo feeds, and cuts through the paint are created. And offensive rebounds can increase.
On defense, the additional height can allow for defending against the point guard use of the screen for an open shot. This is a new idea that can be called a "screen trap." In the screen trap, Myers would watch for the developing screen and run to position himself on the back side to block (perhaps swat) the shot (from Curry or other point guard). This tall forward trap would strongly limit point guard scoring, and ideally might result in a swat of the ball to the backcourt where Dame could take it to the hoop.
The screen trap would be demanding of high energy anticipation and moving which Myers can do well. In the ideal case, substitution to keep the energy level of the screen trap forward high might be expected. Substitutions to keep the defense more intense are a factor that Blazer coaches might focus on for improvement for the playoffs. Given that moving (and even aggressive) screens are a Blazer defensive weak point, the screen trap and other advantages of a 3 forward tall team strategy offer strategies for improved playoff success.
