Turk Pick and Rolls Overkill?

by derekk on Jun 12, 2009 10:42 AM EDT

Except for some missed critical FTs, Turkoglu played a great game. He was the best Magic offensive player, but when I see the 2nd half collapse of Magics offense in the last Game 4, I feel that is the cause of loss more so than these later specific moments like missed FTs from multiple players, bad defensive close outs, missed shots, etc.

Doing a pick and roll with Turk is one of the Magics best plays, but all I was seeing in that 3rd and 4th was the Magic PGs bringing the ball up the floor, giving it to Turk at the top of key, and running to dissappear in a corner, effectively making a 4 on 5 situation. What happened to Jameer? Going from slicing up the Lakers defense in dribble penetration from the regular season games to being so invisible now. When Rafer Alston was attacking the paint all the time in the 1st half, the Lakers defense gets out of thier comfort level. Every teams defense gets uneasy when there's some driving and dribble penetration. How can the Lakers not defend a Turk pick and roll poorly when it happens every offensive possession. There are fewer passes, and the defense knows more or less what to expect from the most repeated play in Magic history! It makes it harder for the Magic frontcourt to score with all the defense on it. Can the PGs get some confidence and do something? Can SVG call plays for the PG to get them going and keep them involved all game? Because something was wrong with the Magic offense that last game, and it might have been over-using the Turk pick and roll play making the PGs spectators.

This FanPost was made by a member of the Orlando Pinstriped Post community, and is to be treated as the opinions and views of its author, not that of the blogger or blog community as a whole.

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I actually wanted to make a similar comment.

Magic offense got real predictable with Turk handling the ball, then he went out with foul trouble it seems like Magic forgot how to play without him. I would love to see some more variations as well.

But I guess some credits also goes to the LA D. LA did a good job denying Rashard post-up, usually the 3rd option behind Turk pick and roll and Dwight post-up (which is also well defended). And then we are not getting much out of guard plays because Rafer for some reason is not in the game, and Jameer is just not looking to get involved. Magic’s 2guard spot is used more for corner 3s and defense. So really, Turk is the only thing Magic’s got.

I agree, Magic PGs need to step up. PG defense is widely accepted biggest weakness of this Lakers team, but it just so happens that PG offense is not what this Magic team has right now. If Jameer is health and aggressive, then yes. If Rafer is confident and aggressive, then yes also. But with Jameer 2008 edition out there, it’s not happening for the Magic.

by pcnyc on Jun 12, 2009 12:37 PM EDT reply actions

Yea, an even better point

LA has horrible PG defense. Look what Alston did the game before, and Nelson in the reg. season LA games, Brooks in the series before last even tho hes still so young..

by derekk on Jun 12, 2009 9:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Agree with your thoughts.

For that game anyway. But look at game 3 when everything was working offensively. You gotta give Phil and the Lakers credit for taking Rashard out of the picture and bottling up Dwight. They made some good adjustments.Turk tried to take over and did a damn good job but the PG. move was stupid. Now is not the time to throw in a wrench.

The Surfdog

by Surfdog on Jun 12, 2009 2:33 PM EDT reply actions