Was nice to be in the arena to feel and hear the sounds of the game.Here are some observations from my notebook.
Anthony Davis:-was more assertive...in a series of trips he..a)set a solid screen...)rolled to the rim for a reb..c)rotated to alter a shot..d).catch in the post,read the trap and kicked out to open guard...e).operated in traffic nicely,finds sapce to get his shot off....f) nice soft touch g) ran well h)-off the ball alertness was better than Orlando game.
i) used often to set pick and rolls...mobile j) communicated well with mates ..22pts..9 rebs ( 3 offensive)..9-18 fg%...7 trips to the line.....overall nice evening for him..still finding his way as sometimes he appears to be reading vs reacting to certain situations ( off the ball)......you can tell this guy loves to play.
Greivis Vasquez:- didn't shoot it well 0-5...1 ft att.....
-When Charlotte went 2-2-1 set and sent to players at him it slowed him down as he didn't attack and make the trap chase....remember I always said his problem will be when defense gets in his number when pressure is extended....not the open floor "attack type unless he has space in front of him...make him change angles...notice when he had to back in the dribble to run some half crt sets.......struggles vs the quicker guard allowing penetration into the lane......* guard play is a MAJOR CRITCAL for this team.Love his passion etc....11 assists....( some of course were of the 'pich ahead for score type).
Robin Lopez- 18pts,13 rebs ( 4 offensive)..3 blocks..8-12 fg...2 steals.
-had his way vs Charlotte....took advantage of the "butter in the sun" defensive play of the Bobcats.....anchored himself within his offensive range...soft delivery from the block....very nice effort...also hustled end to end ( not a burner,but gave his max)....absorbed contact a crowd....gathered some contested boards.....overall he can be a limited offensive player but last night seemed to relish going at the Bobcats......must manintain the energy level to take advantage of the athletic hops he lacks...a solid night!..3 blocks.
Al-Farouq Aminu- 3-10 fg...6-10ft...2 rebs...12pts...
- will waste a dribble and add a lil too much at times when a simpler " catch and attck the rim" will suffice...wasted motion buys time for the defense...would love to see him...."catch and go" as he had situations last night with an open lane to the basket in front of him and selected to waste a spin in to traffic or slight pause...attack and take the contact...needs to use his length more.......much needed...'hard bounce or two and quick pullup to compliment the "get to the rim"......on the defensive end would like to see him read the angles and adapt the footwork...play hard..hustles...limit the wasted movement.
Austin Rivers :6-13...0-3 from 3ball..3 assist...2 steals..0 turnovers ( 0 in two games!)..13 pts.
-had a better feel for the game last night....kept the head up more often..was more settled...could also benefit from the "catch and go" as he has the quicks...at times will catch and stop when the quick step will shed the defender....i bet ya he masters that move before too long........worked harder on the defensive end ....still gets tangled by using wrong angle or reads vs potential switch situations and P&R...but is very assertive and that will improve......at times strains to take jumper when out of his range...needs to avoid that temptation......drops his head at times when driving into the lane and misses open mate " see the lane and rim......I love his tought grtiity approach to the game and i realize he is so young.....the question about adapting to the pt guard position remains the question....a big difference betwee a playmaking pt guard and a simply advance from pt "a" to pt "b" type......not the playmaker but oozes with potentail!..looked for gaps vs Charlotte...improved over game #1.
Ryan Anderson: 5-8fg..5-6 from 3..15pts..
- His 3 ball is a must!..Hornets were last in the NBA in makes and attempts in this area...A MUST!.....can be a terrific "move without the ball" type of player who can also run pretty decently...spot up jumper ( for a healthy %) will create the much needed space for others to operate...can be a sneaky offensive rebounder...can start but why do i love the idea of his being the "off the bench" quick hitter?
Team:
-punished Charlotte in the lane 52 pts..26/51
-21-2 2nd chance pts
-14-26 ft's is not to be accepted
-better offensive floor spacing
-team defense settled down and was effective ( were up 10 and then trailed by 10...defense helped get the game bakc
-forced 20 turnovers for 27 pts.
Reminder! Its just game 2 of the preseason and these are observations taken from a series of moments during the game...many positive actions like night.
Thats in from my note book!