Clifford's Defense

[mrknowitall215]

Will defense be the identity of this year's Steve Clifford coached Bobcats team? I know it's just preseason, and only 4 games in, but today as it stands Charlotte has the best defense in the NBA (link>>> http://espn.go.com/nba/standings/_/sort/avgPointsAgainst/group/1/order/false <<<). I'm not expecting that to stand, but it's definitely a change from last season under Mike Dunlap's tutelage. The Bobcats have yet to allow over 90 points in their first 4 preseason games with Clifford coaching, but allowed over 90 points in all but 1 out of 8 preseason games last year with Dunlap coaching

What are the chances that the 2013-14 Charlotte Bobcats finish the regular season in the top-10 defensively?

[fatlever]

i think it is safe to say that at the very least we wont finish last in team defense this year. with as many so called "good defenders" on this team, we should have never been worst in defense last year.

how do we stack up in points allowed per possession and FG% allowed? i can only assume we playing at one of the slowest paces in the league in preseason.

[HornetJail]

We are reading into stats in the preseason.


Please.



Make it stop.

[Red Larrivee]

Considering Clifford is a proven defensive assistant and all of his stops have included elite defenses, it would be a complete shock if the Bobcats weren't one of the league's most improved defenses.

It won't be a shock if they can't score, but at least they'll have an identity.

[mrknowitall215]

We are reading into stats in the preseason.


Please.



Make it stop.

It's all hypothetical

[fatlever]

it might be preseason, but it doesnt take a mathmagician to see that our defense looks improved so far.

[KingExecutive]

Our defense will decide games for us...cause we sure aren't out-scoring many teams this season.

[mrknowitall215]

i think it is safe to say that at the very least we wont finish last in team defense this year. with as many so called "good defenders" on this team, we should have never been worst in defense last year.

how do we stack up in points allowed per possession and FG% allowed? i can only assume we playing at one of the slowest paces in the league in preseason.

I haven't been able to find any advanced team stats being that it's only preseason & most publications don't really keep track until the regular season, but the Bobcats are holding opponents to 39.7% on field goals while allowing only 0.854 points per possession which would make for a 85.4 defensive efficiency rating. Those are great team defensive statistics, but it's just preseason. I'm just hoping that they can adapt to this identity all the while making use of Bismack Biyombo & Michael Kidd-Gilchrist's defensive talents

Another thing that I've noticed within the stats is that Charlotte has attempted more free throws than their opponents in each preseason game so far to try to balance out their own lack of offensive efficiency. That must mean that they are attacking the rim

[JDR720]

should have decent defense probably around 20th because of our below average interior defense but shouldn't be giving up 120 like we did last year

[JDR720]

speaking about CLifford, MJ really likes him

“I’m so happy about Steve. He’s a very professional guy. Professional in a way that the players can respond. He’s worked with some very good programs. I’ve watched him with the players. He has the right patience and rapport – he knows how to position himself with the players."

“That’s a big move for us because no matter how we spend on players, it starts with the coach. I’m not putting down (predecessor) Mike Dunlap. He had some of the same qualities.”

MJ on Al

“Jefferson is a great addition. He’s been asked to be a leader on the basketball court. He’s never been asked to do that before. But he has some credence with our guys and I think they’ll respond.”

MJ on Zeller

“I love Zeller. To me, he’s a connector like (Josh) McRoberts, only more talented. He’ll make teammates better. He’s not flashy in what he does, but he’ll be a really solid player for
us.”


http://blogs.charlotte.com/inside_the_n ... oposa.html

[mrknowitall215]

“I love Zeller. To me, he’s a connector like (Josh) McRoberts, only more talented. He’ll make teammates better. He’s not flashy in what he does, but he’ll be a really solid player for
us.”

I wonder how personal will McRoberts take that direct comment from MJ about Zeller being more talented

[mrknowitall215]

Charlotte Bobcats’ defense shuts down...

The sample is just five preseason games, and you won’t see the Charlotte Bobcats slapping the floor Duke-style, but something is sure working about this team’s defense.
...
For the preseason (3-2), they’re allowing 81.4 points and 39 percent shooting. New coach Steve Clifford is reluctant to pronounce this defense a finished product, but he likes what he sees.

“We’re getting back in transition, we’re not fouling and we’re protecting the paint,” Clifford said.

“It starts with the players wanting to do it. That’s not a coaching thing. We help them with a style of pick-and-roll defense, but it still comes down to them.”

Then Clifford offered a caution: “The toughest part (about NBA defense) is when LeBron (James) has got the ball at the top (of the key), and then what do you do? You don’t get that in the preseason.”

Clifford’s point – that the superstars aren’t breaking you down for long stretches in exhibitions – is valid. But so is the progress this team is making defensively.
...
Clifford mentioned point guard Kemba Walker as a player who’s clearly improved defensively. At 6-foot-1 and 184 pounds, it can be a challenge for Walker to hold up physically defending pick-and-roll. But he’s been effective so far this preseason.

“Maybe I’m just putting more effort into it,” said Walker (13 points and five assists). “(Clifford) has been teaching me ways of not getting hit, of getting around the pick.”

Like Clifford, Walker isn’t pronouncing the defense “fixed” just yet, but he likes the trend line:

“We’re staying disciplined, we’re talking to each other and we’re getting stops.”

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/1 ... mFUTnCkoec

[Eoghan]

When two of your best long term guys are Bismack and MKG, you should have the makings for a good defense if the rest of the team isn't garbage.

[mrknowitall215]

When two of your best long term guys are Bismack and MKG, you should have the makings for a good defense if the rest of the team isn't garbage.

I think Kemba could be a defensive stalwart in his own right as well, emphasis on could, even though I think he's a solid defender already. He did finish last season top 5 in steals & I've seen him making plenty of unbelievable defensive stops against opposing teams during fastbreaks

[Eoghan]

When two of your best long term guys are Bismack and MKG, you should have the makings for a good defense if the rest of the team isn't garbage.

I think Kemba could be a defensive stalwart in his own right as well, emphasis on could, even though I think he's a solid defender already. He did finish last season top 5 in steals & I've seen him making plenty of unbelievable defensive stops against opposing teams during fastbreaks

I agree, I like Kemba's defense. Pretty much all of our young pieces are good defensively when you throw in Taylor and I guess Hendo still qualifies. We'll have to see how Zeller pans out but I think he'll be a better offensive player than defensive, though he shouldn't blow completely on defense with his IQ and quicks.

[Liver_Pooty]

“I love Zeller. To me, he’s a connector like (Josh) McRoberts, only more talented. He’ll make teammates better. He’s not flashy in what he does, but he’ll be a really solid player for
us.”

I wonder how personal will McRoberts take that direct comment from MJ about Zeller being more talented

McRoberts has admitted in previous interviews that Zeller is more talented.

[mrknowitall215]

“I love Zeller. To me, he’s a connector like (Josh) McRoberts, only more talented. He’ll make teammates better. He’s not flashy in what he does, but he’ll be a really solid player for
us.”

I wonder how personal will McRoberts take that direct comment from MJ about Zeller being more talented

McRoberts has admitted in previous interviews that Zeller is more talented.

Thanks. That answers it for me

[Liver_Pooty]

I wonder how personal will McRoberts take that direct comment from MJ about Zeller being more talented

McRoberts has admitted in previous interviews that Zeller is more talented.

Thanks. That answers it for me

Although its still something I wouldn't say as an owner, but oh well.

[JDR720]

dont think they're a top 10 defensive team, probably around 18th which would be a big improvement, our above average defenders are MKG,Taylor and Biz, think everyone else is average or below average, Kemba gets a lot of steals but he can be beat by bigger guards, Hendo is average,Al is a bad PR defender,McBob isn't that good and Zeller is probably a tad below average

defensive rankings

Above Average/Very Good
1-MKG can guard 4 positions
2-Biz locks down paint
3-Taylor can guard 2 positions and some PG's

Average
4-Haywood big post defender
5-Gerald very average
6-Kemba gets steals but still think he is average
7-Tolliver good effort defender

Below Average
8-Zeller
9-McBob
10-Adrian (small PF)
11-Al
12-Southerland
13-Sessions
14-Gordon
15-Pargo

[fatlever]

gordon deserves his own tier at the bottom