Quick: Defense at practice

[illmatic99]

http://www.csnnw.com/portland-trail-blazers/day-defense-behind-blazers-monday-practice

Interesting quotes by Terry and a whole lot more. Also, nice to hear that he is finally calling out guys for their mistakes. He plans on sticking to his conservative d because there is not enough time to set in place anything else, but he does acknowledge that isn't working at the moment:

“It’s not working … it’s not working well,’’ Stotts said. “There are holes. Everybody has to look at themselves -- players, coaches – and ask what can we do better? But when you try to put your finger on it, you are not going to put your finger on it because there are a variety of things.’’

“I think when you have times like this and you struggle, the beauty is you have the opportunity to rise above what seems so tough,’’ Lillard said. “Right now, to a lot of people, it’s ‘Man, it’s continuing to happen, it’s never going to end’ … But we have an opportunity as a group to come out of it and be something.’’

 

[Nate]

At least lillard has a good attitude about it.

 

[B-Roy]

That job, it appears, will not include budging from his conservative defensive approach.
Stotts on Monday said he remains committed to his defensive philosophy, which among other things encourages teams to shoot mid-range shots as his bigs play back and guards go over screens. He also favors his guards switching with bigs on pick-and-rolls to take away the three-point shot, which often leaves gross mismatches, such as James Harden on Mason Plumlee or LeBron James on Damian Lillard.
Curiously, he says “20-to-25” other NBA teams use the same defensive philosophy as the Blazers, which doesn’t take into account that the Blazers have different personnel, in particular the absence of a rim protector. But while the Blazers lack size, they are flush with long, athletic and active players who could be well suited for a trapping, pressure defense.

Some of these quotes are alarming

Stotts remains committed to switching on defense, and said the numbers from Sunday’s game back up his philosophy.
“I know most don’t like it when we switch bigs … but it was actually effective last night,’’ Stotts said, noting that Houston scored on seven of 14 possessions when the Blazers switched in the halfcourt. “The tendency is to see when he does score, and not to notice when he doesn’t score.’’

How is this effective? 7/14 is 50% shooting if on twos but Houston's was probably higher because they hit a couple threes as well. That is not good defense.

 

[Boob-No-More]

Some of these quotes are alarming



How is this effective? 7/14 is 50% shooting if on twos but Houston's was probably higher because they hit a couple threes as well. That is not good defense.

When you give up 130 points in a regulation game, including at least 30 points in every quarter, you don't get to claim anything you were doing on defense was "effective".

BNM

 

[B-Roy]

When you give up 130 points in a regulation game, including at least 30 points in every quarter, you don't get to claim anything you were doing on defense was "effective".

BNM

Yeah....some of these quotes make it seem like Stotts is downright delusional.

 

[riverman]

It's wake up call, thanksgiving is over week.....Stotts is doing just what he should and I'm glad to hear they are taking it seriously...Dame is a humble, accountable, bright guy....Stotts will earn his check this week

 

[gatorpops]

In the fourth quater when Plumble was switched on Harden it was effect as harden mised a couple of threes as I remember, which was better than having Lillard on him. Harden is a hard cover.

On another thought, with the players Stotts has available, how would you matchup our players to Hustons?
Who would you have on which opponets?
How would you play the swithcing and with whom?

We are quick to blame coach or players but how would you have done it?

One more thought, if we had made two or there more open shots it would have been a very different game!

(dissclaimer but don't expect me to enter into this argument much. as I am 80 years old and limited typing skills. however I have been following this team since 1970)

 

[PtldPlatypus]

In the fourth quater when Plumble was switched on Harden it was effect as harden mised a couple of threes as I remember, which was better than having Lillard on him. Harden is a hard cover.

On another thought, with the players Stotts has available, how would you matchup our players to Hustons?
Who would you have on which opponets?
How would you play the swithcing and with whom?

We are quick to blame coach or players but how would you have done it?

I'd have started Turner and Harkless at the forward spots, and had one of them defend Harden with the other on Anderson, with Dame on Beverly and CJ on Ariza (and Plums on Capela, of course). I'd double Harden on the screen to try to force the ball out of his hands. I wouldn't have Plumlee playing centerfield down by the paint, but have him playing tight on Capela even 15ft away from the hoop, and I'd have the rest of the squad be constantly vigilant on avoiding/preventing backdoor cuts.

I'd still probably get beaten, because I'm not a basketball coach, just a message board nerd, but that's how I'd want them to defend the Rockets.

 

[illmatic99]

We're playing Indiana without PG next. They have Jeff Teague.

I want Dame to take the challenge and just try to shut Teague down. Don't worry about the offense, we will have plenty to outscore IND without Dame dropping 30. But just focus on the defensive end.

He says he tries hard and looks like it, but he's mentally saving his energy for the offensive end most games. Forget that for a night.

 

[BonesJones]

Some of these quotes are alarming



How is this effective? 7/14 is 50% shooting if on twos but Houston's was probably higher because they hit a couple threes as well. That is not good defense.

And the shots they missed were great, wide open looks that they would take any time down the court.

 

[BonesJones]

I'd have started Turner and Harkless at the forward spots, and had one of them defend Harden with the other on Anderson, with Dame on Beverly and CJ on Ariza (and Plums on Capela, of course). I'd double Harden on the screen to try to force the ball out of his hands. I wouldn't have Plumlee playing centerfield down by the paint, but have him playing tight on Capela even 15ft away from the hoop, and I'd have the rest of the squad be constantly vigilant on avoiding/preventing backdoor cuts.

I'd still probably get beaten, because I'm not a basketball coach, just a message board nerd, but that's how I'd want them to defend the Rockets.

That's a good gameplan.

I would've preferred a hedge, with the defensive guard going over. The thing is, the guard is in that passing lane should Harden have made a quick pass to a popping Anderson. If he didn't make that pass quickly, then the big should've been running back to Anderson right as the defensive guard slid out of that passing lane and back in front of the ball to cut off penetration. Then, if Harden made that pass, you'd have the big closing out hard to Andersons side, taking away the 3 and making him put it on the floor.

No switches, no Harden penetration, no Harden 3s.

The big couldve also randomly doubled by staying with the ball and not recovering back to his man. The 3 helpside defenders would've then played the passing lanes, and would rotate and recover.

 

[riverman]

Whatever the defensive scheme....the whole team needs to be on a string that doesn't break...defense is choreography...guys need to be as sharp as dance partners are....one unit..the Spurs are really, really good at it.