RealGM

what is doc rivers defensive scheme? he still ice every pnr?

does dj catch hedge or not hedge at all? i just recently have tried to learn about the defensive side of the game...came here because i figured you guys would know best.

The Clippers actually switch a lot now, I feel that they switch too much on the pick and roll now. If they aren't switching, they will zone up against the pick and roll, so for example DJ stays back, primary defender will fight over the screen and they will look to give up mid-range but protect the rim and take away the 3PT shot.

Why does DJ never leave the paint? Is it because he doesn't have the footwork to guard the perimeter? I see him leaving bigs open a lot who knock down open long 2s. Are we just willing to force bigs to make long shots?

If it is long two's, the team is fairly willing to give them up. It's the same reason Blake will sometimes be quite open from long mid-range, other teams will live with that. You'd rather contain the inside and the 3PT line and give up long two's than the opposite of rushing hard to take away the long two and then giving up a drive to the basket or a drive and kick to an open shooter. Playing the numbers it should (and does) work out in your favor against most matchups. Outliers obviously happen where a player is just hot, and you should adjust to some extent in those situations, but not overly compensate, depends on what else is going on in the game. Defense is a bit of give and take, you can't expect to contain everything, so your hope is to take away the best options and try and force your opponent into the least favorable option.