I see all these threads about late collapses, and whether it's poor toughness or coaching. But, really, I think it's because we lack isolation players, and with the exception of Marble have for sometime.
Groce didn't outcoach Fran on Thursday. He just isolated Nunn against Uthoff at the top of the key, and Nunn made an isolation move where he dribbled right at Jared and the pulled up from 15. That was simply a player who is good at isolating making a play.
Jok and Uthoff are both good scorers, but they are better offball scorers (catch and shoot, cuts, post ups) then isolation dribble guys. They both are apt to pass on end of clock isolation situations.
You are not going to win many games if you isolate the entire game, but there are times in games you need a player or two who can simply isolate his defender and get good shots. It's a skill set we haven't recruited very well, and need to start valuing more.
Groce didn't outcoach Fran on Thursday. He just isolated Nunn against Uthoff at the top of the key, and Nunn made an isolation move where he dribbled right at Jared and the pulled up from 15. That was simply a player who is good at isolating making a play.
Jok and Uthoff are both good scorers, but they are better offball scorers (catch and shoot, cuts, post ups) then isolation dribble guys. They both are apt to pass on end of clock isolation situations.
You are not going to win many games if you isolate the entire game, but there are times in games you need a player or two who can simply isolate his defender and get good shots. It's a skill set we haven't recruited very well, and need to start valuing more.