GT: Nets at Raptors 7:30pm Jan 18th YES

[Prokorov]

Not sure if I saw anything terrible on that defensive sequence... I rather Lopez get back to his man than not cuz he's guys is quite often open for those easy dunks/points. JJ even covered the guy which was nice to see....

result was the defense forced the opponent into a 3pt shot.

That's all rotation, i'm not sure where's the hole in this sequence?

the nets didnt force them into anything. the raptors got a wide open 3 point shot. which is probably one of the 2 outcomes they want on that plau(the other being a layup)

and exactly, the nets played it correctly, but lopez inability to get to the spots quick enough or move well enough cause that shot to be so open.

ideally, when val sets the pick, lopez is able to force lowrys angle further towards the sideline and away from the play, making a pass to val tougher or pass to the wing a longer cross court pass. instead, lowry doesnt need to retreat at all, and actually has alot of airspace in front of him.

lopez was in the correct spots. he showed, he recovered. he just isnt capable of doing either effectively due to being so slow and plodding. which leads to 1 of 2 scenarios:

1) what we just saw, the point gaurd not retreating at all, the wing man having to stick with the roll man, and the wing wide open for 3

2) they could change hwo they play it, with larkin doing a lock and trail, and lopez sagging off, which would lead to lowry having a run at lopez or an open 14 foot shsot. the benefit is i takes the val layup and wing 3 away.

im trying to learn how to make these gifs so i can show it happening over and over. i have league pass so i have access to archives just need to know how to make the gifs. but basically when teams put us ina 1-5 pick and roll, they are getting wide open looks at 3 because of lopez inability to get to his spots. and this goes back several years.

also if you look at how we played the Pick and roll when KG was at center for us, its night and day. KG forces the PG laterally away from the play, and recovers much quicker.

the side pick and rolls arent as bad, since we can ice it which requires less recovery and movement from lopez. but the top high 1-5 pick and roll is something he just lacks the physical tools to defend.

[Prokorov]

I saw Sloan being a complete dumbass by leaving Kyle Lowry not once but twice to help on Valenciunas. 6 point swing cause of that. That's where the game was lost.

Bingo. this is a big problem of ours. helping when we dont need to. we give up so many easy buckets because guys help on 1 on 1 matchups where the guy isnt really a threat to beat his man

[Prokorov]

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A little Thibs anecdote: If Thibs was the coach, he would've "ICE'd" that pick which would've impeded Lowry from going back to the middle of the court and setting up the play lol.

Agreed... the problem is you cant ice the top of the key pick and roll. ICE is dependant on forcing the action to the baseline as you said, using the baseline as an extra defender. that isnt the case on the top of the key. Which is why lopez issues arent really a big problem in the 2/3-5 pick and roll or on sideline pick and rolls.

its the high 1-5 pick and roll that kills us and has forever, outside of the 1 year KG played center

But specifically regarding this play, I agree with Prok.

Lopez is just too slow. He can't blow up picks. That's what made prime Tyson Chandler, prime Joakim Noah, and current DeAndre Jordan so valuable on defense.

Not only could they provide great interior defense but they could effectively help to trap the ballhandler on the wing (forcing them to give up the ball) or deter the ballhandler from even calling a 1-5 PnR because they know the potential consequences of doing so.

This is one of the most popular calls for teams facing lumbering centers. In today's golden era of PGs, most teams will make you pay with a 1-5 PnR call with Lopez on the floor.


This is part of the reason why I'd trade Lopez in a heartbeat for a guard like Eric Bledsoe (even though he's injured). Someone like Bledsoe lives at the line, attacks the basket, and (now) keeps the defense honest with his speed and 3pt shooting ability.

Replace Lopez with a center who can help blowup picks and recover quick enough to get to the interior and you'd have much improved defense from that change alone.

agree on all counts.