11-03-2021, 09:33 AM
(11-03-2021, 09:10 AM)KillerLeft Wrote: I agree with this, but I don't think this is new. I think he has been relatively unaware and distracted (by foul calls he didn't get seconds before, most often) as an off-ball defender since entering the NBA. I haven't seen enough of his play in Europe to know if it was an issue there.
Having said that, he has had moments of brilliant on-ball defense in most games this season, too.
Is it possible that part of why Carlisle's defense seemed a little safer and less aggressive at times was an effort to prevent possessions from developing to the point where success/failure depends on great help defense from Luka? It feels that way to me.
Yes, Luka's on-ball D at times in his career is VERY high level. He can move his feet with the best of them when he is locked in. He still has some on-ball slip-ups, but his on-ball D is not my concern at all. His off-ball D is just REALLY poor most of the time. Doesn't mean he doesn't have moments, but for the most part it IS the weak link in the team D IMO.
What was so great about Dirk was that his on-ball D was mediocre, but his off-ball awareness and rotations helped the team D IMMENSELY. Dirk was a "good" NBA defender in my estimation because he was focused and locked in as a team defender even if his own defensive skill wasn't very good.
The thing about RC and the D is I just don't have any clue how much of the D RC actually coordinated himself. No clue. But it is very possible that the defensive schemes developed under RC with Luka were meant to hide Luka and the impact of his lack of team D. Interesting theory.