03-04-2024, 10:50 AM
(This post was last modified: 03-04-2024, 10:52 AM by dirkfansince1998.)
(03-04-2024, 10:32 AM)omahen Wrote: Last one. Just so many basic things I really don't know what they are doing or want to do. Is it just misscommunication or a wider problem.
Luka is always switching when defense sets a screen. Always. Not sure if he should do it or not (what scheme coach wants to play), but he always switches (and expects a switch when a screen is set on him).
So Batum (guarded by Luka) sets a screen on Green for Maxey (it could be easily argued also that Batum made an offensive foul with that screen). Luka switches on Maxey. Green tries to fight over the screen and is basically out of the play getting behind Maxey. Kyrie sort of hinted to help on the Batum drive but didn't really do it. Than Lively needed to step up (was already way late as Batum had plenty of choices). Not sure it should be Kyrie or Lively helping on that drive, but a man would be open in any case.
If Luka and Green would communicate a simple switch, defense would not fall apart as it did. Green would go below Batum screen and would still be able to double Maxey if needed.
Pick and roll defense is the biggest issue. When they are close to the sideline they usually try to ice it. Big drops. On ball defenders forces the ballhandler towards the sideline. Straight from the 2020 Lakers scheme. Mavs doubled down on it when they traded for Gafford. Now they have two bigs that cannot really defend in space (I have hope that with more experience Lively is going to improve in this area. He has the necessary lateral quickness).
Pick and roll defense against high pick and roll is all over the place. They usually switch when it doesn't involve Lively or Gafford. But as you pointed out the communication is terrible.