<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">This trip will be remembered for the Lakers' screen-and-roll defense -- or lack thereof -- and too many baskets given up to the likes of Michael Sweetney, Dwyane Wade and Emeka Okafor, off the NBA's most basic play. It was enough for Kwame Brown to call out his teammates after watching Raymond Felton and Okafor pick apart the Lakers in the first overtime of Friday's three-OT loss to the Bobcats. "When all you have to do late in the game is run screen-and-roll against a team and that gets you a layup, that says a lot," Brown said. "What has to change is guys got to start giving up themselves and rotating over. Stop making excuses. "When you can just pull the big guy out of the paint and you give the big man a layup that's setting the screen, something's not right. "I don't know what it is. I'm not a coach. But I know I don't get layups when I play against Chicago and all these other teams that's chucking me in the chest when I'm rolling through." The Lakers eventually threw up their hands and went to a zone defense midway through the first overtime. It came after the Lakers were carved up by Wade, who scored 40 points on Christmas as Miami set one high screen after another for him. "I'm not taking anything away from Raymond Felton," Luke Walton said, "but I don't think he's Dwyane Wade coming off that pick-and-roll. We've got to figure something out." </div> Link It's obvious that our major problem this season is defense. I still don't understand how we can make guys like Matt Carroll look like freaking Reggie Miller. Either way, funny how Kwame, out of anyone, is criticizing the defense after the performance he had last night. Someone should tell this dumb*** to catch the freaking ball
Kwame Brown is the reason why teams are successful at the pick and roll. He doesn't understand how to react to the play. The big man is supposed to show and cut off the angle, but Kwame gets caught in between and gives the offensive players two options to score easy baskets.
Statistically Kwame gave a good night. I think he had 5 blocks and a double double. I would have liked to have watched that game, triple overtime.
<div class="quote_poster">SkiptoMyLue11 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Statistically Kwame gave a good night. I think he had 5 blocks and a double double. I would have liked to have watched that game, triple overtime.</div> He did have solid game statistically, but Kwame is very indecisive on the defensive end. It's not 100% his fault, the guards allow for dribble penetration too easily, and the help defense is never there. There might be some chemistry issues in the locker room. Last night Turiaf wanted to floor Vujacic, after Vujacic allowed his man to waltz right down the baseline, forcing Turiaf to pick up his 3rd foul. He had some words for Sasha, and Sasha tried to argue back. Kobe had to seperate the two. Now we have Kwame talking to the media about the P&R defense. The Lakers have always been terrible at defending it, even when Shaq was on the team. He was also lost and lazy to rotate out and seal off the guard out on the perimeter. Mycal Thompson said the team never practices the P&R defense so he's not surprised when teams execute it to perfection.
Kwame can't really speak out, he's let two good inside passes slip away which could of gave LA the win.
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Mycal Thompson said the team never practices the P&R defense so he's not surprised when teams execute it to perfection.</div> If they struggle at it, then why don't they practice?
Lakers are 18th in defensive efficiency. A further breakdown: defending from the field: 22nd defensive rebounding: 16th forcing turnvoers: 11th limiting free throws: 11th So, the big problem for them is opposing eFG%. That's the most important factor on defense, and they aren't very good at it. Is it miscommunication, too much gambling, or just not enough effort?
<div class="quote_poster">durvasa Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Lakers are 18th in defensive efficiency. A further breakdown: defending from the field: 22nd defensive rebounding: 16th forcing turnvoers: 11th limiting free throws: 11th So, the big problem for them is opposing eFG%. That's the most important factor on defense, and they aren't very good at it. Is it miscommunication, too much gambling, or just not enough effort?</div> D - All of the above If you look at the games we've lost since Odom went down, the teams who consistently beat us are ones with an athletic forward (with the exception of Miami). Kobe Bryant doesn't have the strength to guard them with his new slimmed down body. Luke and Radman are too, slow and not athletic enough. Mo Evans is too, short. Recent losses: Bobcats - Gerald Wallace Bulls - Luol Deng Wizards - Caron Butler (I know Arenas dropped 60, but Butler was just as unguardable in this game) Mavericks - Josh Howard Hornets - Desmond Mason The Lakers didn't replace Devean George's role on the team, which was an athletic backup forward who could guard 3 positions.
