Harvey: "This team has no understanding of the concept of team defense"

Agree or disagree and why?

 

Agree. We're not good on that end.

 

What can we do to change that?

 

work harder!

 

That obviously hasn't worked. Maybe they need someone to teach them. I think Joel and Blake (yes, Blake) are the only players on the team who understand TEAM defense.

 

Have one of our starting caliber centers in there at all times, or at least in the entire fourth quarter, would be a nice start.

 

I agree with Antonio. The players on this team don't appear to be connected. I think Greg's ability to stay out of foul trouble would improve our team defense a great deal. I also would love for Roy to focus his attention on defense even more. Getting Batum healthy again wouldn't hurt any either!

 

This team seems to be terrible with defensive rotations. Boston is one particular team who does this perfectly, even if they don't have that many great individual defenders. I recall Joel saying something to the effect of: "If I roll to challenge someone who is going to the basket, someone has to be able to cover my man." Instead we seem to just stand around. Is that an IQ problem, or can it be learned?

 

I agree with the rotation issues you pointed out.

To answer your question, I don't think it's an IQ prolbem or a teaching issue. Even at the high school level, most every varsity player understands the concept of defensive rotations. I can't imagine a NBA player on the weakside not knowing he needs to slide down to the block when there is penetration.

To me, that's a lack of effort and focus. But we also shouldn't have to help out as often as we do. We have to slow-footed PG' and two SG's who are below average defenders. That puts the team in a bad position from the get go.

 

Boston has Garnett, who's somewhat Pippen-like in his ability to lead and coordinate a defense. Players like that are rare. Having really good team defense is tough without either someone like that or a group of players who are all either very basketball-smart or hurl all their energy into defense. Portland's players probably make some effort, but exhibit neither of those things.

 

GET RID OF OUTLAW!

He is simply too stupid to play a zone, and him next to LMA or Oden is such a damn joke as he leaves them on a defensive island underneath.

Outlaw/Blake for Tayshaun Prince?

Miller/Roy
Roy/Fernandez
Webster/Prince
Aldridge/Prince
Oden/Pryzbilla

(w/spot minutes for Bayless, Cunningham, and Howard)
I guarantee you that team would be much better at defense.

 

we have our young Prince: Batum.

 

Individual defense, I feel, isn't really as effective as solid team defense. Just because you have one good defender on the perimeter, does not mean you can instantly solve a lot of your defensive mishaps.

 

Aldridge is the one who should be rotating to Joel's guy when Joel has to help, and he NEVER does. I seriously watch him and he is just standing there watching. It is pitiful.

 

No one on our team does it really except for Joel, Oden, and Blake. That's also the reason teams always get open threes against us.

 

How does Nate get a pass?
He's supposed to be a defensive genius???

Well, god forbid what we'd look like if it weren't for the defensive genius of Nate.

 

not for the next five months we don't, and Batum has no where near the vet knowledge that Prince has. Between Miller and Prince, and the lack of Outlaw, Roy would have actual accountability around him encouraging him to play off the ball, better floor spacing, passing, and defense.

The gap in bbiq between Outlaw and Prince would improve us a ton! (as would the exclusion of Steve Blake with the minutes being made up by Rudy and Andre, and gain in chemistry)

 

It can certainly be learned...but the students have to WANT to learn. This team was as fun as any to watch at the beginning of last season because they were scared to death of the road schedule and they thought they might suck. They played with incredible energy on defense and won games because of it...after that stretch they relaxed. The believed the hype and lost their edge. We have been lethargic on the defensive end ever since (evident by lack of fast break points coming from created turnovers). This team is simply not good enough to regularly win while not playing at 100% every night.

Our "best" players don't play hard...unless they have the ball. That will have to change at some point. Problem is, they just got paid...this may be a lost year.

 

What a coincidence that it's those two. As my signature implies, I define experience as having played under more than one NBA head coach. This is why Pritchard needs to fall out of love with youth and get us some experienced players.

 

I think this falls on the trinity itself.

KP needs to fall out of love with "his guys" a bit. It was ridiculous that we brought back Outlaw and Blake this season. That would have cleard an additional 9 million uder the cap to go get 1 better player.

Mr. Sonic Asslown McScribbles needs to employ a better defensive scheme. He also needs to fall out of love with "his guys" a bit.

The players need to show more of a comitment on that end.