Our forwards

[PITTsburghFAN]

Earlier this year I thought that Artis/Young were one of the best sets of forwards in the land. But something has definitely changed since then...

Now, I don't have the basketball acumen that many on here do (ala my neighbor, NTOP). But I know enough about watching athletics to see that it's more than just a slump. There are times when those guys seem to disappear, don't show the hunger to want the ball or play with obvious intensity or effort. That seems especially true of Artis - whose skill appears to me to be exceptional. His shot is great, he handles the ball well, can drive.

But quite often, he seems to be just hanging around on the court.

My son, who played hoops and really watches films intensely, believes I'm nuts and that lack of success can stem from many factors... and in our case he believes that there is simply not enough supporting cast to take the attention of the other team's focus from Artis/Young

 

[Delpanther]

Too much finesse. Their aversion to contact is a problem. Aldo need to do a better job, particularlyYoung, when double teamed.

 

[Chescat]

Well your son is right to a large degree. However, teams tend to double Young more than Artis. Artis can be, and has been stopped by very tight man to man D. Where Artis is best seems to be on the open floor. He's very good on a fast break , either with the ball or finishing from the wing. In a half court set against good, tight D he can be stopped or at least slowed down considerably. Leave him open, and he can stick the jumper (and that includes from 3 land). Also Jamie's offense doesn't focus on "one" main player, and that's why you see the motion offense so frequently especially when nobody "creates." Also he and Young draw the opposition's best defenders, and when the others don't contribute offensively it's easy to cheat on Artis.
Young is a different story...he's very difficult to defend one on one. Teams get away with it, because again, the others don't or are unable to step up offensively. We have NO, NONE, Zilch, offensive threat in the post out of the Center position...so just like with Artis it's easy to cheat and help out on Young. Add that to a double team and it's amazing how Young scores as well as he does. You've got to have help from your teammates, your son is right on with that.

Also give a forward a double team in limited space, and you'll see it's easier than doubling up on a guard like Cat Barber. As a pg, he has a lot of room (space) to operate and dribble through or around a double team and turn it into a defensive liability for the opposition.

You mentioned that he seems to be just "hanging around"...actually he's not. What's happening is the D is taking him out of the offense and he can't beat it himself, nor do his teammates make up
for it, especially against more talented teams.

 

[Pittx9]

I still don't think there's many better if any forward combos as far as ability to score. They're just part of a team that is not nearly physical enough and Artis is just a very poor defender. I also think a tough, solid big man would make them look a lot better.

 

[PittPoker]

I still don't think there's many better if any forward combos as far as ability to score. They're just part of a team that is not nearly physical enough and Artis is just a very poor defender. I also think a tough, solid big man would make them look a lot better.

If we even had a guy like McGhee we would be a top 10 team.

 

[Pittx9]

If we even had a guy like McGhee we would be a top 10 team.

Agree. A player like that would be huge for this team. Maia and Luther both are decent enough to get playing time, but they really need a guy like McGhee that can score a little down low and provide that kind of defense. We have the talent, there's just a glaring hole at the center position we can't avoid.

 

[The Sisco Kid]

your 5 2 and 1 are very important pieces to a puzzle.

 

[pittizit]

Lazy and afraid of contact...Jamel Artis