FanPost

Coach Kidd's Challenges: ..... Shot Allocation, Minutes, Communication

One of the toughest challenges facing rookie coach Jason Kidd will be the shot allocation and minutes allocation for his team. The Nets have the depth to preserve the legs of their battle worn vets, as well as the often ununavailable Brook Lopez. But being able to only have the better shooters, or the ones who are adept at drawing fouls (since free throws are shot at a much higher percentage than field goals), Take the Shots, is going to be a measure of style and leadership.

There are only about 77 shots to go around. The reason championship teams score around 100 ppg is due to free throws and 3 point shots, resulting in a points per shot of around 1.29 for a championship team. The Miami Heat averaged 1.27 points per shot on 76.6 shots per game in 2013, and 1.28 points per shot on 76 shots per game in 2012. Last season's Nets averaged 1.19 points per shot on 83.7 shots per game. There is some trade off between shots and free throws, since you only have so many possessions. Also, by not having to shoot as much as last season, some Nets should make more shots since they will be able to pick and choose better. However, Deron Williams and Joe Johnson will likely be giving up 4 to 5 shots each compared to last year.

The following allocation results in scoring 100 ppg, with 77.6 shots, and 30.3 free throws. If the shots per game goes up, the free throws per game may go down. The Nets should be a strong rebounding team.

The totals are as follows:

32-64 2 point field goals (50%)

4.9-14 3 point field goals (35%)

36.9-78 all field goals (47%)

22.2-30.2 Free throws (73.5%)

99.8 points / 77.6 shots = 1.286 points per shot

Player / Minutes / 2 pt. FGM-FGA / 3 pt. FGM-FGA / FTM-FTA / Total Points / shots / points per shot (pps)

Brooke Lopez / 28 min at Center / 6-11 FG / 0-0 / 3.7-5 FT / 15.7 pts. / 11 shots / 1.42 pps

Blatche / 20 min at C, 4 min at PF / 3-6 FG / 0-0 / 2.4-3 FT / 8.4 pts. / 6 shots / 1.4 pps

Kevin Garnett / 28 min at PF / 6-11 FG / 0-0 / 2-2.5 FT / 14 pts. / 11 shots / 1.27 pps

Paul Pierce / 28 min at SF / 4-8 FG / 1.9-5 / 4-5 FT / 17.7 ppg / 13 shots / 1.36 pps

Joe Johnson / 36 min at SG / 4-9 FG / 1-3 / 1.6-2 FT / 12.6 ppg / 11 shots / 1.14 pps

Deron Williams / 36 min at PG / 3-7 FG / 1-3 / 3.2-4 FT / 12.2 ppg / 10 shots / 1.22 pps

Kirilenko / 16 min SF, 8 min PF / 5-9 FG / 0-0 / 2.9-3.8 FT / 12.9 ppg / 9 shots / 1.43 pps

Shaun Livingston / 12 min at PG / 1-2 FG / 0-0 / 0.7-0.8 FT / 2.7 ppg / 2 shots / 1.35 pps

Jason Terry / 8 min at SG / 0-0 FG / 1-3 / 0.9-1 FT / 3.9 ppg / 3 shots / 1.3 pps

Alan Anderson / 4 min at SG, 4 min at SF / 0-0 FG / 0-0 / 1-1.2 FT / 1 ppg / 0 shots

This still leaves 8 minutes at Power Forward for either Teletovic, Reggie Evans or Shengalia. Since their are no shots left, the best passer/best defender/best rebounder may be the one to get the nod, although in theory, Teletovic's 3 point shot is floor spreading.

The trick to managing the ball is getting the player's to understand who the best shooters are, what their spots are, and why Joe Johnson or Deron are giving up shots from last season.

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