New Lakers Defense

[microfib4thewin]

Also, this is the first time the whole team has been brought into playing zone. In the past, traditional zones weren't used much because players don't feel natural guarding a portion of the court instead of the opposing player, and both the Spurs and Pistons play great man to man defense no one else could duplicate because the core players are very familiar with their own system and is discliplined defensively to make the right reaction against any offense. While Boston didn't invent anything new with their soft zone scheme, they were able to play defense at a higher level than those two even though the roster have only been together for one training camp. It was definitely good enough to convince Phil to change his ways, if you have told me before he would play zone the whole game I would have laughed.

[milesfides]

Jeez, if I hear any more about Radamn being athletic and quick, I'm going to try out for the Lakers.

Radamn is no longer playing i-don't-give-a-f defense, but he's still by far the weakest link. There's one guy who usually stops playing after he gets beaten or the shot goes up - that's Vlade. I do give him credit for trying to stay in front of his man in the first place. While this is standard for any player in the NBA, I think this is a first for Radamn in his career, prompting some of you to be amazed.

Yes, the contrast principle is definitely in full effect.

But objectively speaking, no, he's not doing anything great, he's simply getting the benefit of having two guys behind him discouraging penetration and helping out when he gets beat.

In comparison, wings like Ariza and Kobe are all over the place, funneling, trapping, rotating, closing out, jumping into the passing lanes, crashing boards, wreaking havoc.

Ariza's strengths matches what we're trying to accomplish defensively.

Pau and Bynum have done an admiral job of going beyond what big men normally do by coming out and challenging shots, playing great help defense from the basket to even the 3 point line.

Odom has done a faithful job of popping into the lanes to zone up the opposing ballhandler, whether it's Jason Kidd or Dirk Nowitzki.

One guy who still hasn't met the level of intensity and activity is Radamn. That he's playing the best defense of perhaps is career is unfortunately, not saying much. Not on this team, not considering the players with, around, and behind him.

[Dr Aki]

u mean hes doing what phil and the coaching staff are asking of him??

its a miracle