Dirk, Amare and Shaq are the three best big men he has ever had. Shaq was out of his prime, but he was still able to score almost 20 on 60% FG. Nash had problems running an offense with O'Neal down low, because he took up space where Nash looked to drive, and he demanded the post-entry pass, something Nash doesn't necessarily give (as his offense ran through him).I face palmed myself when I read that.
So, when Dwight is down low, hoping Nash throws the post-entry...and Nash is hoping Howard comes up to set a screen, then rolls to the rim and relies on Nash to get him a pass...there's a conflict, so Nash finds a way to sneak to the rim.
Well, sneaking to the rim only puts extra defenders in the paint, which helps a guy like Dirk, even someone like Amare (anyone want to find that article about Stoudemire saying he was going to shoot more threes with Nash on the floor?)...but with Shaq? Howard? It gives those extra defenders "longer arms" to contest all passes five feet or less from Nash. That's why spacing is crucial.
Both are to blame. Nash wants Dwight to slide out of the paint there...but he can't, because then he's not even a decoy...just another Joel Anthony on the floor.
Meanwhile, Dwight wants Nash to throw post-entry, then play like Jameer Nelson, and that's another conflict of interest.
Nash and Howard belong in the P&R only. Nash drives to create for shooters. Kobe creates for Nash and Dwight. Howard kicks out to shooters. That's how it has to happen. Any other map will lead us to a fishing pond in mid-April.
