Post#42 » by OxAndFox » Tue Dec 20, 2022 8:59 am
Heading into this homestand I thought about a few things and one of them to stick out was how much improvement has been made on D.
I don't think it has made a huge difference statistically on team D yet, but I think it will. Interesting to hear others' thoughts on this. Anyway, below is what I have thought about. Could be wrong on this so would welcome feedback.
I believe the first step of Brown's defensive teaching is starting to show.
If you have been paying attention, which all of you have, it starts with playing with your hands out and back. This may seem a little elementary, but it often gets overlooked, obviously.
Now, not enough players still do this, however, it's why Brown has mentioned the two steps forward and one step back.
The other is to lead with your chest. Fox is leading the way here (Davion already played like this) and has made a conscious effort of this throughout every game. Perhaps not every moment of every game, but it has been a huge focus. That is a huge win for Brown.
Huerter and HB are also flirting with making it work, but it will come in the next 3-4 weeks.
The second part of the D, in terms of what the coaching staff are wanting came from the fire to the stone that Keegan Murray received early in the season.
He was put on all the leading players, and got burnt in the process. Welcome to the NBA.
If you can't guard these guys you won't be regarded as a good player and will always get attacked.
Keegan has improved out of sight against anyone he is guarding. Yes, he will still make mistakes, and let's be honest, who can stop star players each time?
During his struggles of shooting earlier, along with dealing with his family issues, he was getting lessons on D. The great thing is that even just 27 games into his career he is showing huge improvements. I am one that thought he was a poor defender coming in, but has shown glimpses of being a two-way player.
His timing as an off ball defender is getting a lot better along with his awareness, but the biggest improvement is that he has been able to show an ability to stop players multiple times whereas earlier he would be that guy that would concentrate on his man and that's it.
So, what have you seen so far, maybe not just on D, but at the other end too?