Mavrelous wrote:Michaellam1987 wrote:Many works and better communication on the defensive rotation is needed.
2) Protect Luka, put him on the weak side, look after the oppenent standing in the corner is fine, but Luka to be always ready to cover to the 3 ball line from the corner upto to 45 degree 3 point line, and don’t be attacked close out too easily. This is more important than standing close to the paint, and goes for rebounding. You have Lively/Gafford do the rebounding work, save your energy on defense. Protect Kyrie, when he is posted up by bigger player, stimulate and advise the team what to do in advance, e.g. for elite PF/C, send double team immediately when opponent put the ball on the floor, leave him no chance to observe the defensive rotation; for elite bigger wing with right hand being the strong hand, deny the ball, have the left land drive lane being semi open, with C protecting the paint.
Luka is tasked with rebounding, and is constantly thinking of helping, it's not working, the gameplan against him and THJ has been backdoor cuts, maybe tell them to face guard? I don't know, but right now, backdoor cuts are killing the team.
In today’s game teams can find creative ways to create mismatch. For instance Celtics put Jokic in front of whoever they wanted in todays game.
There are ways to avoid this if the opposing team doesnt execute back screens and cut greatly. So you can pre-switch Luka before his man goes for a screen to ball handler.
However, Mavs also dont want Kyrie against lets say Tatum, Butler, Kawhi etc. Kyrie is too small. So when they are both on the court, Luka becomes the second worst defender and team cannot compensate screens.
Also opponents trying to worn Luka out. Rockets were very good to hide Harden ok defense. And that was the only way to preserve energy for high usage offense. Exum is good similar to Brunson Dinwiddie to take the Luka’s load without acting like a SG. Because if THJ or Kyrie gets the ball, they act like scorers not a point guard to organize offense, control the tempo. I wish Kyrie could’ve learn some pg skills and understanding. Exum’s Europe stint probably helped him.
Exum is not more skillful but when he has the ball, I have confidence on decision-making and execution. Like Murray is first and foremost tries to run the plays with Jokic. It he gets mismatch or if play breaks down he may go for hero ball. For Kyrie, its mostly hero ball.
Also watching Denver game, its clear that Luka misses solid players around. Aaron Gordon would be life saver for Luka both on offense and defense. KCP is a f’in defensive specialist. If you ask me if Gordon was out for the game Nuggets may have lost the game. Putback dunks, offensive rebounds, alley-oops. Luxury to have that kind of guy around.