Ok, this has really been bugging me for the last year and a two months or so. I have to say that I really expected alot more from us defensively. With that being said, what is the defensive philosohpy of this team? I am guessing we are playing a man defense, but the principles of the defense I'm seeing are unlike anything I have seen.
First of all, udefended, uncontested. We are allowing the ball to come up the court undefended, this is fine, but we are also allowing passes to the wing uncontested, we don't have any hands in the passing lane and no denial defense. The wing players are playing straight up with there man and about four feet off. This KILLED us last night. Not only were they allowed easy passes to the wing but a quick catch and shoot was wide open. If we then tried to rush them they would drive right by.
Second, can we get some help? One of the other reasons a player wants to get between his man and the ball is to help dribble penetration, avoid the screen, and see the floor. Because we are man up on the wings it is allowing for easy drives and no weakside help on the block. Not only that but we don't see or attempt to fight through any screens. Maybe we switch all screens, but at least see it coming.
Third, defensive rebounding. If the man on the offside wing is sagging, like he should to help, he is an available rebounder. Right now we are getting little to no rebounding out of our guards because they aren't in the right position defensively. The only rebounds guards are getting is when their man beats them. The weakside wing should ALWAYS be there to rebound and often the most open for the rebound since their guy should be getting back on D. This clearly isn't happening...
I consider myself pretty knowledgeable when it comes to defense in basketball, mainly because I was always guarding much quicker guys and had to get by on technique and position, so I listened ALOT. When McD was hired he said we would be sa strong defensive team. I expected us to be a smart and technical defensive team, that clearly isn't happening. Even if we can't score the ball we should be able to play good enough D to keep it close...
First of all, udefended, uncontested. We are allowing the ball to come up the court undefended, this is fine, but we are also allowing passes to the wing uncontested, we don't have any hands in the passing lane and no denial defense. The wing players are playing straight up with there man and about four feet off. This KILLED us last night. Not only were they allowed easy passes to the wing but a quick catch and shoot was wide open. If we then tried to rush them they would drive right by.
Second, can we get some help? One of the other reasons a player wants to get between his man and the ball is to help dribble penetration, avoid the screen, and see the floor. Because we are man up on the wings it is allowing for easy drives and no weakside help on the block. Not only that but we don't see or attempt to fight through any screens. Maybe we switch all screens, but at least see it coming.
Third, defensive rebounding. If the man on the offside wing is sagging, like he should to help, he is an available rebounder. Right now we are getting little to no rebounding out of our guards because they aren't in the right position defensively. The only rebounds guards are getting is when their man beats them. The weakside wing should ALWAYS be there to rebound and often the most open for the rebound since their guy should be getting back on D. This clearly isn't happening...
I consider myself pretty knowledgeable when it comes to defense in basketball, mainly because I was always guarding much quicker guys and had to get by on technique and position, so I listened ALOT. When McD was hired he said we would be sa strong defensive team. I expected us to be a smart and technical defensive team, that clearly isn't happening. Even if we can't score the ball we should be able to play good enough D to keep it close...
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