I second this bullshit. The team clicks when Victor is on the floor. He is our best help defender, makes great decisions and passes and always seems to be in the right place.
I don't see much of a drop off in interior defense between Claver and Freeland, but one way that Claver can really help us is that he can be more active from the center position at P&R defense. Freeland and Lopez just sit back and give the PG a wide open shot.
Claver Trob mo and Barton have been working great together. When lma comes back stick wright in with them and play some small ball hustle game.
I think this is Stotts' defensive philosophy to have his bigs hang back and not hedge on screens. Lopez is more than capable of stepping out; even the clunkiest centers in the league are able to do it. Point is, I don't think it has anything to do with the personnel, but rather with Stotts' (misguided IMO) defensive philosophy. When you're playing Ricky Rubio, Rajon Rondo, or even a guy like Beverley, it's probably a great idea to bait him into shooting deep 2's. When you're playing Steph Curry or anyone else who can shoot, it's going to kill you.
What boggles my mind is how this is so obvious to fans, but the coach is completely oblivious to it...
Just watched wizards replay. Claver continues to impress me with his defense and bball iq when he gets his confidence in his game shot look out.
Portland actually has one of the best interior defenses in the league, that they allow more shots inside than any one except the Lakers.
