3/4 of NBA teams left in playoffs use 2 post players.

[kicker22]

Paul George is a wonderful player,who had some huge clutch moments last nite,and generally did a fine job guarding Lebron,despite Lebrons numbers, but, George made a horrible mistake on the last play.
His inexplicable,out of character,out of control close out/gamble was inexcusable. Too bad he lost his mind for a second, and did not just square up lebron under control forcing him to shoot a jumper.
Hibbert is not the issue, it was George's dumb gamble that sunk the Pacers.

As far as two posts....Hibbert and West? West hits shots out to 15 ft,as he did repeatedly last nite. If not a stretch 4, he is close.

I agree that Hibbert wasn't necessarily the problem. What I don't understand is why he wasn't on the floor. As I stated earlier, if it's a catch and shoot situation or a three point game and the two isn't an option I'd understand him not being in there. The fact was there was still time to put the ball on the floor and attack the hoop.

I guess it just confused me when the Pacers came out and stated that they're just another team and weren't going to adjust their game plan. Haven't seen many Pacer games this year, but I can't see them taking HIbbert off the floor in a one point game like they did to go small on a night to night basis. I'd of kept my big on the floor, but then again that's just me and I'm not an NBA coach.

 

[hawkfan33]

I agree that Hibbert wasn't necessarily the problem. What I don't understand is why he wasn't on the floor. As I stated earlier, if it's a catch and shoot situation or a three point game and the two isn't an option I'd understand him not being in there. The fact was there was still time to put the ball on the floor and attack the hoop.

I guess it just confused me when the Pacers came out and stated that they're just another team and weren't going to adjust their game plan. Haven't seen many Pacer games this year, but I can't see them taking HIbbert off the floor in a one point game like they did to go small on a night to night basis. I'd of kept my big on the floor, but then again that's just me and I'm not an NBA coach.

How do you make sure Hibbert is anywhere near the basket in that situation? The guy who started out guarding Bosh (Hansbrough) ended up guarding Allen in the corner after the Pacers switched when Allen set the back screen. Do you really want Hibbert chasing Allen to the corner?

 

[woodyk1]

If you want a really detailed breakdown of the play, try this link:

Roy Hibbert probably wouldn't have stopped LeBron James' amazing Heat buzzer beater - SBNation.com

Here's an outlandish way (in my mind) that Hibbert could have helped. Don't guard the inbounder Battier (normally, I don't like this) and replace that defender (West) with Hibbert under the basket (or at least, in the lane). That is doable with 2.2 seconds left, right?

Or, West and George both guard LeBron so he doesn't get the ball.

 

[kicker22]

How do you make sure Hibbert is anywhere near the basket in that situation? The guy who started out guarding Bosh (Hansbrough) ended up guarding Allen in the corner after the Pacers switched when Allen set the back screen. Do you really want Hibbert chasing Allen to the corner?

I wouldn't press the inbounder allowing another man to defend which would allow an extra defender to mark up and let Hibbert patrol the paint. Not saying that it works or is the best answer, but as I stated earlier with 2.2 seconds left that allows time to put the ball on the floor and attack the basket. I'm not an NBA coach by any means but I think I'd take my chances with a defender in the paint and worry about a player attacking the hoop then I would about giving up a contested outside shot.

Not saying there's a right or wrong answer. If it were me up by a single point, I'm keeping my shot blocker in there to contest Lebron, or anyone else, attacking the paint. I think I saw a stat that said lebron had 3 baskets inside the lane while Hibbert was on the floor versus 6 baskets inside the paint in the 9 minutes Hibbert wasn't on the floor with him. IMO I defend the paint.

 

[thejumper5]

I wouldn't press the inbounder allowing another man to defend which would allow an extra defender to mark up and let Hibbert patrol the paint. Not saying that it works or is the best answer, but as I stated earlier with 2.2 seconds left that allows time to put the ball on the floor and attack the basket. I'm not an NBA coach by any means but I think I'd take my chances with a defender in the paint and worry about a player attacking the hoop then I would about giving up a contested outside shot.

Not saying there's a right or wrong answer. If it were me up by a single point, I'm keeping my shot blocker in there to contest Lebron, or anyone else, attacking the paint. I think I saw a stat that said lebron had 3 baskets inside the lane while Hibbert was on the floor versus 6 baskets inside the paint in the 9 minutes Hibbert wasn't on the floor with him. IMO I defend the paint.

I agree with a lot of what you were saying. 2.2 seconds is an interesting amount of time. On the one hand, it is enough time to allow the offense to attack the paint. On the other hand, it's not enough time to have a defensive 3-seconds called. Obviously George biting on the play was huge, but if Hibbert had been in the game and just sitting in the middle of the lane (yes, leaving Battier with a window for a kick-back 3), it would have been a much more difficult play for Miami to run successfully.

 

[hawkfan33]

The problem with putting Hibbert in the lane is that 9 times out of 10 in that situation you aren't getting anything going to the hoop, and you're looking at one dribble and a long jumper. Which in that case you're suddenly playing 4 on 5 as Hibbert is just hanging out underneath. Also, not guarding the inbounds guy is a little risky with that much time left, as there is enough time to get it back to the inbounder as he steps in to an open three. Obviously Battier shooting a 3 is a better outcome than LeBron shooting a lay up but not sure you want to concede an open 3 in that situation. I think I would have kept Hibbert in and just had him on the ball, but I do understand Vogel's thinking..

 

[JHHawk]

I listened to the old master,Hubie Brown, on M & M this morning,and he agreed with Vogel's move to have Hibbert off the floor. He went into it in some length but basically said that Vogel had the right call made,but that unfortunately Paul George did not execute as he normally does...not Vogel's fault.