Welcome to my game notes. For the most part(particularly on offense), these are possession-by-possession notes of all the things that happened on the court. It’s a way for me to learn as much as possible about what happened during the game because I would otherwise forget. Anything can be a note, no matter how small or complicated.
These are my personal notes. This is not meant to read as analysis or a piece. Some of the sentences may not have structure or perfect grammar. They are notes. My goal for this is to somewhat track the things that happen to know what to dig deeper into and have some kind of reference to it somewhere.
Clips will be accompanied for key plays I want to highlight.
1st
11:30 — PNR. Davion-Wiggins. Stays attached; no advantage.
Wiggins cross-matched on Duren. Bam showing help off Collins in the corner to provide help on the cross match with Duren. That opens up the swing for the open corner 3pt
11:12 — Transition. No one picks up Duncan, and he has an open PU 3pt
10:45 — Wiggins on Cade. Empty PNR. Wiggins-Giannis. He trailed but no advantage on the drive
Davion on Ausar. Doesn’t care about him, so helps early in the paint but a bit too much. That just created confusion and forced a switch. Now you have Davion on Collins. He gets back down and draws a PF
SLOB. Klay is not attached to Duncan at all, and that just got him free coming off a screen. Wiggins was late to call out the switch. It’s an open 3pt
This started with Klay
9:57 — Transition. Numbers advantage and size. Duren gets a lob
9:39 — PNR. Davion-Bam. Bam in deep drop. Davion over. Struggling going over. It’s an open PU 3pt
That’s just bad screen defense from Davion. Not attached. But also, Bam should just be a bit higher. That’s so much space and no contest
8:57 — Early offense. Giannis matched with Duncan. He runs him off the 3pt line. Wiggins is showing help off strong side corner. It’s an easy kick for Collins 3pt
Wiggins didn’t need to do that. Giannis can take care of Duncan on a drive. The 3pt defense just has been horrible, giving up really good looks
8:33 — PNR. Davion-Bam. Davion again trailing Cade. Bam in drop. Duren gets behind Bam and it’s an open lob. Duncan was lifting so Klay couldn’t tag
8:05 — Wiggins again cross matched on Duren. Bam tries to kick the mismatch out on the feed. Giannis ball watching and Ausar just cuts behind him
7:44 — PNR. Wiggins-Giannis switch. Wiggins is on Collins in the post. No help is sent or showing. Just rises up for a shot over a contest
7:16 — Klay vs Duncan physical chasing him around. There’s a miscomm with him and Bam on the switch. Bam is late to react and Duncan gets an open 3pt
Communication on switches need to be better. This was an issue in the Wolves game too. Giannis switching with Wiggins off ball to make sure he’s the low man
6:41 — Double PNR. Davion-Bam-Giannis. Does a good job going over the 1st then switch 2nd. Davion on Collins. Giannis on Cade.
Wiggins not realising that Ausar is cutting from the corner. Bam and Wiggins going to the same guy twice. Just poor communication. That allows Reed to get good look on the hook over Bam
6:12 — Semi transition. Cade pushed pace and kicks to Collins trailing. Klay stepped up but no arm up and it’s an open 3pt
This is Collins who’s made 2 3s now on open shots. Get a hand up
5:47 — Triple PNR. Two switches. Again both Wiggins and Davion tried to go with their guy. Wiggins was late then to closeout on Duncan. He drove. Davion good peel switch to contest the shot. But those miscomms cost seconds and that’s all it takes to have an advantage
5:30 — Klay on Cade. Defends his ISO drive. Does well sticking with him. Giannis helps off Ron in the strong corner but that would’ve been an easy pass had Ron cut quicker
5:10 — Transition. THIS WAS PERFECT FROM GIANNIS. Loved the hustle. Also good on Wiggins getting back too
4:58 — Not much great offense here. Reed was overdribbling vs Bobby. Davion solid job on Cade.
Giannis is the low man and was helping off Collins but now he’s stuck on a screen. Collins able to attack the closeout. Davion another peel switch but too small and commits a foul
Worth noting. That’s a good counter from Reed vs Giannis helping off
Wiggins offering no stunts or anything off Ron 1 pass away. Why?
4:25 — THJ chasing Joe around screens. He trails but no advantage. Wiggins helping off Ron in the corner in the paint early. Formed a wall with Bobby. Bobby okay contest on Reed fade
3:56 — Transition. Collins getting a quick 3pt in the corner. Bobby should’ve stuck with him
ORB. Wiggins not paying attention to his man cutting. Neither is Davion looking at anyone. THJ also just floating. No one boxed out Ron and he gets it
3:34 — Davion getting caught on a screen vs a Cade handoff. That gives up a wide open baseline drive. Giannis is early on the help. THJ covers the corner pass. Wiggins takes Joe on the catch but it was a good 3pt
Wiggins was slow to react to that rotation. But this started off with Davion’s breakdown
3:06 — Davion-THJ-Pelle-Bobby-Giannis. Pelle chasing Joe around on the handoff. Looks to recover but momentum carried him over and Joe created space on the stepback 3pt
2:52 — Pelle-THJ-Niko-Bobby-Giannis. Pele providing pressure in the backcourt vs Jenkins. He did end up getting beat. Giannis does help in the paint and switches.
Niko is chasing Huerter around but is slow to react and and poor technique. Almost ended up being a foul
2:05 — Pelle-THJ-Niko-Bobby-Bam. Empty PNR. Niko-Bobby. Hard show. Ends in a switch. Niko vs Duren in the post. Help was shown. Bobby stunted off Huerter 1 pass away, though. Bam is on Ron so he’s helping a lot in the paint
Good box out from Bam
1:37 — Pelle pressing in the backcourt again vs Jenkins. He did get beat. Forced Bam to switch on the drive.
Handoff. THJ-Pelle, switch. Handoff. Bam-Bobby. Show, switch. Maybe some miscomm there. They get an open corner 3pt. This was great movement
1:21 — Off a TOV. Defense recovering. Wide open 3pt on the kick out
ORB. Pelle lost his man. No one matched with Joe. Bam was boxing out his guy perfectly. This was on Pelle
SLOB. Davion shooting the gap on Jenkins, then undisciplined closeout. There was also a miscomm with Pelle. He thought switch. That meant he was behind on Huerter and he got a wide open 3pt. So many of these miscomms that leave the guy trailing
0:49 — Handoff. Davion-Niko switch. THJ helping a lot in the paint, but why? It’s also off Huerter. The decision to do so here is crazy. Now he’s trailing, and Huerter gets an open 3pt
ORB. Bobby or Niko don’t box out. This was Bobby’s man, and he just ball-watched coming down.
THJ also ball-watching, and he’s losing Ron on the cut. No one picks him up. That’s mainly on THJ, but also Pelle’s awareness needs to be better. This starts with THJ because Ron was Davion’s guy, but he had to contest Huerter
0:15 — Davion vs Jenkins ISO. Just easily allows the drive to the rim
2nd
12:00 — Pressing full court with Pelle and Niko. Ball denial. PNR. Niko-Bobby, switch. Another PNR. Davion draws an offensive foul
11:26 — PNR. Davion-Bobby. Hard show. 2 on the ball. Good pressure. Recovered with no advantage but Bobby is on Cade. He’s denying him
Pelle chasing Huerter. No advantage. Niko almost wanted to switch. Another miscomm. Solid defense from Niko vs Collins in the post. Great hustle from Pelle on the loose ball for the steal
10:55 — Transition. No one picks up Huerter. He gets open pu 3pt. That’s on Niko. He needs to step up
ORB. Defense not back. Collins was inside on his own. Gets the tip in
I feel like that’s on THJ for not taking Collins or not telling Davion to do so
10:34 — PNR. Davion-Bobby. Hard show. Blitzed him to the half court
Miscomm with THJ and Pelle on the cut whether to switch. Slow to react. Huerter gets an open pass. Now defense in rotation. Niko guarding no one. But then does a good job going up on Ausar to contest
9:43 — Handoff. Niko just goes under and no advantage vs Ausar. Does a good job on his drive. Handoff. Huerter-Bobby. Hard show, 2 on the ball. Niko staying in the paint off of Ausar in the corner. Gives up a wide open 3pt
ORB. Missed boxed out by Niko and THJ. That should’ve been Niko’s. Open kickout for 3pt. Niko failed badly trying to box out
9:11 — Davion chasing Cade off ball. Does a good job shooting the gap and recovering. Niko is playing free safety off of Ausar. Pelle amazing defense vs Duncan running around. Took away the 3pt shot perfectly
SLOB. PNR. Davion-Bobby. Davion dies on the screen. Bobby at the level. Niko takes the roll but then THJ doesn’t sink down and it’s an open cut. THJ just has no awareness
8:33 — THJ tried to top lock Huerter but didn’t. Now he’s trailing. Niko had to step up. Ausar gets the roll. No advantage. Good recovery. Pelle good job taking away the pass
8:01 — Handoff. Pelle chasing Duncan. Niko was about to switch. That’s why Ausar gets a free slip. No advantage. Duncan gets free from Pelle. He relaxed for a slight second and he’s now trailing. Poor help from Bobby. It ends in a foul on the drive
7:23 — Transition but defense gets back and it sets. No advantages anywhere
7:03 — Klay chasing around Duncan. Niko good help off of Ausar on Duren to force a TOV. Niko has just been the free safety
6:42 — Pelle pressing Jenkins. Pelle-Wiggins switch off ball. Better communication here. Klay chasing Duncan again but is trailing. Duncan gets an open 3pt
6:20 — Good transition defense. Everyone picks up a man and ball. PNR. Wiggins-Giannis. Drop and over. No advantage. Then rescreen. Stuck on the screen. Forced a switch. Pelle relaxed a bit. Green lifts for a 3pt
5:39 — PNR. Wiggins-Giannis. Auto switch. Miscomm with Wiggins and Niko on the cut switch. Niko is now on Duren in the post. Absorbs contact well and forces a tough shot. Pelle with slight digs off the strong corner on a Duncan drive
ORB. Wiggins just outhustled by Green for the board. TWICE. This happened twice on the same play
ORB because everyone was just watching. Defense scrambling. Miscomm with Niko and Wiggins on a switch in the PNR. Forced Klay to rotate. Now Duncan gets wide open 3pt
4:29 — Davion top locks Jenkins. Klay chasing Duncan around on the handoff. Recovers on the closeout but then was out of position on the cut. Giannis did help and peel switched to contest. Good help
4:12 — Transition. Ron just attacks Niko. Poor defense. Just not in position to defend the drive, and it’s a foul
3:46 — Klay top locks Duncan. Handoff. Davion trailing Cade. Giannis in drop stepped up, and now Duren gets a roll. Wiggins tags, but it’s now a wide open 3pt in the corner for Green. Klay should’ve sunk down to cover that pass
This also starts with Davion staying attached
Also, did Giannis have to be that high?
3:22 — Spain PNR. Davion again getting chipped. Klay switches. Davion recovers on Duncan. Wiggins in poor position. He gets beat on the closeout in the corner. Giannis with another good contest at the rim
2:51 — PNR. Davion-Klay. Switch. On an island. Wiggins showing strong help off Green at the elbow. He cuts. Pelle tells Wiggins to stay on Ron in the corner. Undisciplined closeout. WHY ARE WE JUMPING ON RON?
He beats the closeout. Perfect verticality from Pelle. Not sure why Giannis also needed to do that because now it’s a dumpoff to Reed. Too much help down low
2:14 — Early offense. Drag PNR. Klay-Bobby. Forced a switch. Bobby on Cade. Handoff. Bobby-Wiggins. Switch. Bobby too slow and that was a slip from Collins. Klay perfect low man help and contest to force the miss. This was an issue that they got themselves into for no reason
1:31 — PNR. Davion-Klay. Switch. Klay vs Cade on island. No help. Gets to the paint for a good PU 2pt plus the foul. Hunting Klay has been a thing
0:50 — PNR. Davion-Klay. Davion stays attached, avoids the switch.
0:29 — PNR. Davion-Bobby. Hard show and recover. Miscomm with Klay and Wiggins. Klay tried to switch. Both went to Duncan. He still made some BS shot. So much miscomm causing all of the issues
3rd
12:00 — Giving up a wide open corner 3pt to Collins. This is just defensive breakdowns and the fact that it happened on the FIRST possession in the 2nd half
PNR. Davion-Bam. Drop then switch but late communication. Reed roll was open. Forced Giannis to help. That opened up the kick. It shouldn’t be that complicated to play PNR defense
11:13 — Early offense. Ausar just goes at Wiggins. Poor defense. No resistance on the drive and finishes a layup
10:46 — PNR. Davion-Klay. Switch. Funnels him baseline. Help was there if needed. A TOV but not really forced
10:23 — Giannis not respecting Reed. Just let him shoot. He sagged off because Cade tried to post up Davion
9:53 — Early offense. Defense not set. No one picked up Ausar running. That forced late help. Opened up Reed on the cut for a clean shot. Laziness not getting back quicker and also not stopping the ball
9:26 — More early offense. Duncan gets an open 3pt. Again, this is just not getting back fully. Klay took a poor shot in the corner and was jogging back
9:04 — Klay chasing Duncan off screens and handoff. No advantage on either one. PNR. Davion-Bam. High drop. No advantage. Giannis good job on Ausar not biting and staying on his drive
A really good defensive possession
8:40 — Davion doing a good job on Cade. Gets in the post. That’s a clean look due to size. Not much help sent
8:20 — Transition off a TOV. Awful defense. Numbers and open lob
8:05 — Klay chasing Duncan around, slow to react. Is trailing. Gets an open 3pt vs Giannis drop.
7:41 — Bam is now on Collins being the low man. This hasn’t been a common thing. This changed last possession. Davion needs to be more switched on where screens are off ball
7:23 — Bam back on Reed. PNR. Giannis-Klay. Switch, but both stay with Cade. Collins had a wide open roll.
7:00 — Bam on Collins again. Giannis is the big on defense. Klay chasing Duncan through staggers. No advantage. Bam-Giannis switch handoffs. Giannis does a good job on Collins’ drive and alters the shot for a miss
6:36 — Klay top locks Duncan. No advantage. Giannis on Collins again. Duncan running does cause fear. Bam with good deflections on the pocket pass, forced a TOV
6:17 — Transition but great defense. Perfect from Bam. Absolutely perfect. Sprinted to get back, stopped the break, and forced a TOV. Amazing
5:54 — Handoff. Davion-Klay, switch, but it was almost Klay running with Duncan. Wiggins slow reaction to chase Huerter. He’s trailing on the screen. Bam had to step up and stop the drive. Open kick to Collins for wide open 3pt
Breakdown starting with Wiggins off ball.
Don’t get why Giannis is in the paint helping off so much. I know he’s on Ron but he doesn’t NEED to be in the paint on a freaking Kevin Huerter drive. Also, this easily could’ve been prevented with communication on the switch from Bam. Peel switch that and Wiggins stays with Collins
5:33 — Double drag PNR. Switch with Wiggins. Another PNR. Wiggins-Bam. Switch but not seamless. Giannis containing Ron on the closeout
Bam vs Jenkins in ISO. Allows the drive and it’s a good layup. Poor defense from Bam
5:07 — Pelle-Klay-Wiggins-Giannis-Bam. Pelle pressing Jenkins. Too quick. He got beat after a cross. Late help and awareness from Bam or Giannis. Jenkins gets a dunk
Pelle needs to be better. He’s been getting beat vs that aggressive pressure. Also, don’t be that aggressive if you don’t know that you have cover
4:45 — Empty PNR. Klay-Bam. Over. No advantage. Bam reached on the drive though. Klay was also allowing that drive to go further
4:24 — Transition. But good contest on the 3pt shot
3:52 — Pelle-Klay switch. Joe just a cold move on Pelle. He needs to be better
3:24 — Transition. Giannis tried to gamble on a steal. Defense not getting back apart from Wiggins and Giannis. Had numbers. Easy layup. Bam was not running back
3:03 — Davion-THJ-Pelle-Bobby-Bam. PNR. Davion-Bam. Drop, over. Davion trailing. Wide open PU 2pt. Had all of the space
ORB. He got his own rebound. Davion was just nowhere. THJ ball watching. HE CAN SEE THE GUY BE OPEN
PNR. Pelle dies on the screen. Good screen. Bam in drop. Bam solid defense vs Reed but that’s a BS shot. Davion with a good strong dig on Reed earlier
2:16 — Davion-THJ-Pelle-Bobby-Giannis. Transition off a jumpball
2:02 — Transition. Outlet pass. But great Davion recovery to deflect it
BLOB. Solid defensive possession. Nothing special from the offense though
1:36 — Looked to push pace. Good defense getting back and recovering. THJ vs Jenkins, solid 1v1 defense. Davion vs Joe. Gets almost beat then hit on the stepback. Undisciplined closeout. Fouls
1:05 — Dru-THJ-Pelle-Bobby-Giannis. THJ doing a perfect job on Jenkins the whole possession then contests very well
THJ held up 1v1 for a few possessions
0:35 — Transition. Pelle gets back great. Deflects the handle off Huerter for TOV
0:23 — Pelle switches vs Jenkins. Doesn’t give up the drive
Bobby ball watches. Reed just baseline cuts for a clean look. Breakdown because of Bobby
4th
11:38 — Dru pressing Cade in the back court. Forces a TOV
11:15 — Dru again pressing Cade. PNR. Dru-Bobby. Hard show, blitz. 2 on the ball. Draws a foul
SLOB. Dru getting backcut badly. THJ low man but doesn’t help or even realises what happens. Cade gets foul at the rim
10:46 — Dru pressing Cade. PNR. Why did Dru go under and the long way. Forced Bam to step up. Forced Pelle to tag. Opened up Joe on kick. Pelle tried to contest
10:32 — Transition. No one picking up the ball. Drives force scrambles and rotations. Open Reed as a trailer for 3pt
Transition defense has been so bad
9:46 — PNR. Dru-Bobby. Soft show, 2 on the ball. Bam doesn’t move with Huerter on the lift making the closeout longer. Open 3pt instead
ORB. Bobby didn’t box out. Out hustled
Dru getting beat by Cade badly. Giannis with the perfect low man rotation. Stopped the drive and forced a bad shot
9:03 — Giannis and Bobby switch up top. No advantages anywhere. Handoff. Bobby good job at the level. Forced a bad pass TOV
Solid defensive possession from everyone
8:27 — Empty PNR. Dru-Bobby. Hard blitz, 2 on the ball. So aggressive it forced a TOV
8:09 — Off a miss at the rim, almost transition but defense gets back. Pelle solid defense vs Huerter on the drive but that’s a BS contested shot
7:35 — PNR. Davion-Giannis. Drop. Giannis at the level. Bobby meets him at the RA and goes up but still makes it. Probably could’ve met him higher
7:08 — Giannis cross matched on Cade.
SLOB. Good aggressiveness from Bobby deflecting
SLOB. Davion pressing Cade. Then THJ switch. Just goes for PU 3pt vs no help. Created space on a move
6:26 — Pelle aggressive vs Duncan. Up in his body and physical. A bit too much because he fouled
SLOB. PNR. Davion-Bam. Drop. Davion caught on the screen. Trailing on the drive. No one tags Collins. Almost a dumpoff
BLOB. This was just a BS shot
5:45 — THJ switches on Jenkins. PNR. Bam in drop. THJ over. Poor Bam drop because Collins just rolls behind so easily. No tag from Giannis or weakside help from Pelle. Collins gets a dunk
5:06 — Pelle trailing on Jenkins off ball. Bam had to switch but was already going downhill. Prevents a layup.
Bam-Giannis switch. Giannis on Jenkins. Deflects a pass for TOV. This starts with Pelle relaxing again and being behind, running around
4:46 — Off a TOV. Davion great job recovering back and getting the block
4:36 — Cade looks to back down Davion in the post. Bam comes to double. Fouls
4:12 — Pelle chasing Duncan around. Not starting in the best position to chase him because he’s already behind. You can’t sag off. Still recovers
THJ-Pelle switch. PNR. Bam in drop. Pelle dying on screen going over. There is a drive but Bam stops it after the switch. Giannis providing help off Green. THJ just died on a screen he had no business dying on. Duncan gets a 3pt off a lift
ORB. Giannis not tracking his man. Doesn’t box out. Giannis good closeout on Cade
3:28 — PNR. Davion-Giannis. Hard show but not great execution from Giannis. Pelle good job rotating on the roller. Bam split the difference, took away Collins corner 3pt and semi contested Jenkins but still made it
Again, PNR defense shouldn’t be this bad
3:02 — THJ top locks Duncan. THJ switches on Cade. Then on an island vs Cade 1v1. Gets beat on the drive. Davion tries to gamble on the help. That forces Pelle to rotate up on Duncan. Jenkins gets another open 3pt
Starts with THJ, but then it was made worse by Davion’s decision to help when there was no need in that instance, when Bam is also already helping and Giannis. Either Davion or THJ needs to be aware to make another rotation quicker
Starters check out