The Jazz defensive philosophy

dalekjazz · Post #1 » by **dalekjazz** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 8:55 pm

When will the Jazz finally realize this is not the 1980's anymore and physical contact is not allowed as much. It looks like the Jazz are again on their way to leading the league in fouls committed resulting in numerous free throw opportunities for the opponent and losses to scrub teams like the Knicks, Wolves, loss of homecourt advantage and an early playoff loss. Maybe the Jazz should hire Jeff Van Gundy to teach them how to play defense in today's NBA.

Post #2 » by **jazzfan1971** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 9:14 pm

I just think we have some poor defenders. Did you see Gooden go around Boozer the other night? It wasn't that fast of a move, but, Boozer gave no resistance at all.

carrottop12 · Post #3 » by **carrottop12** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 9:31 pm

Yeah, the Jazz really just don't have great defenders. It's amazing what having Yao Ming and Dikembe Mutombo anchoring your low post D will do for your perimeter defenders.

The Jazz just don't have a low post guy who can really challenge people at the hoop. Fesenko shows signs of it being that he is so huge, but otherwise the Jazz just don't have the right players.

When you think about the good low post defensive teams you think of Houston, LA, the Spurs and now the Sixers.

Why do you think that? Yao Ming, Deke, Bynum, Duncan, Brand and Dalembert. It's that simple.

When you have bad help defense you force your perimeter guys to foul more often. It's that simple.

Ming Kong! · Post #4 » by **Ming Kong!** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 9:33 pm

I think we were a good defensive team in the 90s with Ostertag as a league leader in blocks, Malone an All-Defensive first team defender for a few years, Stockton always amongst the team leaders, and a few other players who were average if not above average defenders. Horny was one of our notably worst defenders towards the end of his career but that was because of poor lateral movement due to bad knees.

I think we have some legit defenders, but we just REALLY lack interior defense. Mutombo would be an excellent option for us off the bench, but I know Houston isn't letting him go, maybe when he's 65.

The Sheik · Post #5 » by **The Sheik** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 9:36 pm

we were also a good D team in the 90s because there wasnt a hand check rule.

GP · Post #6 » by GP » Sat Oct 18, 2008 10:57 pm

The jazz have always been near the top of the league in fouls despite having some good defenders. This points to the coaching philosophy which emphasizes fouls; don't allow layups, make the player earn them. I agree we don't have the best defenders, but to say the cause is strictly the result of which is incorrect. Sloan's defensive philosophy is foul, foul, foul. Thats not to say I disagree with the tactic.