Posts by Sebastian Pruiti

  • Can Carmelo and Jeremy Lin Coexist?

    The breakout success of Jeremy Lin conspicuously coincided with Carmelo Anthony sitting on the bench. While Anthony was nursing a groin injury, Lin stepped in to run Mike D’Antoni’s fast-paced pick-and-roll offense. Through all the Linsanity hyperbole, commentators wondered how Anthony — notorious for preferring isolation plays that slow down the ball and the game […]

  • The Closer: Derrick Rose in Crunch Time

    Last night, Derrick Rose had another big game for the Chicago Bulls. Rose scored 29 points on 10-of-23 shooting in the Bulls’ 96-89 win over the San Antonio Spurs, and with the game on the line, he showed just how much pressure he puts on a defense. The Bulls, up three with a minute left […]

  • Checking in on James Harden and John Wall

    Before the NBA season began, I looked at three players on the verge of superstardom: John Wall, Eric Gordon, and James Harden. Now that we’re at the All-Star break, the time seems ripe to check in on these players. Let’s focus on Harden and Wall, since Gordon has only played two games this season.

  • How to Guard Jeremy Lin

    The New York Knicks have gone 9-2 since Jeremy Lin’s breakout game earlier this month. Lin’s domination has been, in large part, because of his skilled play off the pick-and-roll. The Knicks, who beat the Atlanta Hawks 99-82 on Wednesday and face the Miami Heat tonight, have set picks for Lin on 45.9 percent of […]

  • Breaking Down Kevin Love’s Post Game

    Kevin Love is a shooter before anything else. Even though we would expect him, as a power forward, to be comfortable playing close to the basket, the centerpiece of Love’s game is his jump shot. He often struggles to score in the post, though it isn’t for lack of trying. According to Synergy Sports, Love […]

  • Linsanity Used to Set Up a Lob

    So far, the sensation of Linsanity has been about overlooked underdogs, seizing opportunities, and, yes, race. But undergirding every story trying to explain the meaning of Jeremy Lin is the game — basketball. So let’s take a quick peek at the Xs and Os. New York coach Mike D’Antoni has run the Knicks’ offense through […]

  • Rubio

    NBA Rookie Rankings VI

    Sweet-shooting Klay Thompson moves up to no. 2.

  • The Hole in Miami’s Defense

    The Miami Heat have one of the NBA’s best defenses. According to Synergy Sports, the Heat give up 0.882 points per possession, which is the 10th best in the league. Miami’s defense is strongest near the rim, where they hold opposing teams to 57.3 percent shooting (which is low for shots like layups and dunks) […]

  • Oklahoma City Uses Screen-the-Screener Concept, Gets Durant an Open Look

    During the Oklahoma City Thunder’s successful run the past few seasons, they have had one major flaw — their performance in late-game situations. There are a number of reasons for their struggles — Scott Brooks’ lack of creativity, Kevin Durant’s inability to get free off the ball, Russell Westbrook’s decision making — but their dependence […]

  • Leonard

    NBA Rookie Rankings V

    Kawhi Leonard climbs up the list.

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