Laker's progress on the SOS...

[Dr Aki]

i havent watched the lakers past few games because i've capped my cable (and thereby can't stream games on dialup speeds), and before anyone asks, australian broadband is so sh*t

can someone update me on how the SOS defense schemes are progressing, game-by-game??

i remember watching how the lakers springing the SOS on unsuspecting teams very early in the season

but from then on and all those articles about the laker's new SOS defensive schemes later, it seems like oppositions are beginning to adjust to our style very quickly

so much so that im reading that oppositions are able to stay close to the lakers by dribble penetration alone...

and the reason why we pull away in games is that our bench mob is superior to almost every other bench that we've played against

so here's the question, well 2 actually...:
1. since i havent caught the last few games, is it lack of concentration OR is it actually teams being able to break down the SOS system (if its being run correctly)??
2. does anyone think, that when playoffs come around, that this defense will hold up and be able to force turnovers through pressure?? or will opposition superstars be able to push their dribble penetration leaving us very vulnerable to weakside 3pt shooting??

cos i honestly don't see this defense holding up during playoff season...

[microfib4thewin]

I'm no expert, but from what I did see, the team is no longer applying the same amount of pressure to the ballhandler. I would say it's a combination of defensive adjustment as well as teams knowing how to react. This defense puts alot of focus on double teaming at the right opportunity, and that kind of move is always a high risk manuever because wrong double teaming either leads to a foul or an easy basket. Also, when there are bigs who can shoot well from outside, it is also going to force this team to play man to man as opposed to a big guarding the paint, thus eliminating the overload on the strong side. Compared to Boston where it's more about rotating to defend the paint this defense is much more exhuasting and is more prone to errors.

Ultimately, I think this is something they can use in the playoffs, but they will need to mix it with man to man D, because while it can wear down an opponent in a series, you will get worn down in return when you make a deep playoff run.