<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Sometimes Pistons center Nazr Mohammed has no clue what his teammates are doing on defense. But listen -- it's not his fault. The other four starters, who have played together instinctually for years, sometimes make changes to crucial things like pick-and-roll defense mid-play, and because they're so familiar with one another, they all can sense the change in plans coming. "They'll adapt right away and change on the fly," coach Flip Saunders said, "right during the play. And they understand it because they've played so much." Not Mohammed, whom coach Flip Saunders calls a directional defensive player, meaning he sticks to the game plan and rotates to the areas decided on before the game. Those miscommunications have resulted in some early baskets and open lanes for opponents. But the Pistons are aware of the problem. Saunders said part of his practice Tuesday was devoted to that issue, and he asked his veterans to communicate better. No more reading a situation and reacting to it spontaneously without verbalizing the change. "There's been a little miscommunication here and there, just for different reasons," Mohammed said. "Guys reading situations differently. I've always been taught to do the game plan and go from there before we make adjustments. I'm trying to get used to adjusting to making adjustments on the fly without getting in the huddle and making a verbal commitment to it."</div> Source
