Props to Stotts for changing his defensive strategy against Dirk. Blitzed Williams on the PNR and had Aminu run back to cover Dirk. They also doubled Dirk in the rare times they switched the PnR. These were playoff level adjustments and the Blazers won the game because of it. Nice to know Stotts can change, just wish he did it earlier. Still, Stotts outcoached Carlisle last night.
Very unexpected, and very encouraging. Aminu still kinda bugs me. He's slow getting around picks at times and forces the guard to switch. Used to think the problem was Dame/CJ, but last night it was definitely Aminu. Still want them to hedge more though. Barea was getting so loose in the first half.
I thought Aminu was by far the best perimeter defender last night. He was the only guy able to jump Deron Williams on the pick and roll and recover back on Dirk. He did an admirable job. Blitzing ball handlers and recovering on the shooter is a lot more difficult than it looks. I think it's a major reason why guys like PG, Jimmy Butler, and Iggy are such good defenders. Aminu certainly did a better job of it than Harkless, Davis, or Plumlee, even if he's not 100% on every play. I still maintain that Henderson is our best perimeter defender, at least on 1v1 situations. He loses 3 point shooters sometimes trying to help inside, but that's also why he gets some of those highlight blocks.
Good to see, but I agree with you and wish he had realized this during the first half of the game on Sunday.
