We have multiple options to find solutions for our team's struggles. Leaders find solutions but must identify the problems first.
After diagnosing the breakdowns, we can work on reducing mistakes, on consolidating strengths and multiplying what's working, or a combination.
For example, the Celtics are not shooting the three-ball well. You'd want more three-pointers from the success stories (e.g. Jerebko, Olynyk, and Bradley) and suggest Evan Turner (15%) keep that club in the bag.
To be fair, we can see Houston has played a bit better from their bad start, but aren't a contender as of now.
Here are some annotations if you don't want to watch the video:
- Houston's defense is near the bottom of the league
- Good teams allow few easy baskets
- Within the numbers, "live ball turnovers" are the major culprit, not missed 3s
- Three-point shooting is likely to "mean revert" to career averages
- And as Coach Nick projected, players are shooting better, with a bigger sample size
- Lawson's points per possession and turnover percentage were among the league's worst by position- Dwight Howard's impact on the team offensively had been negative
- James Harden has had a negative presence defensively
All this data affords coaching and personnel the opportunity to make changes through more efficiency, intensity, or strategy. When our teams aren't playing well, we benefit from having objective data and imaging (tape) to show players where improvements are possible, especially when they've enjoyed previous success.