rag-time4 wrote:What do you think of this strategy?
Unlike in years past, the Nets now are loaded with bigs who can block some shots. (Swift, Williams, Lopez, Yi, Anderson)
There are still two softies (Boone, Najera) though Boone can block some shots when he is actually making an effort to rotate and help defensively instead of just staying glued to his man.
But with all these bigs the Nets can afford to play really aggressive defensively and put pressure on the big men.
I think the Nets should apply as much perimeter as possible and force opponents to put the ball on the floor and challenge the Nets shot blocking.
I've never really liked it because NBA 1-2-3's if given open looks will make their fair share (why give the Antoine Wright's & Maurice Ager's of the NBA the confidence to knock down those perimeter shots because they can..).
I know many decried the lack of shooting in the late 90's / early 00's but imo it was the lack of mid-range shooting that disappeared not the 3's (everyone & their Grandma outside of 5's can take 3's at the NBA level). At the NBA level you're just playing w/ fire playing soft at the perimeter hoping that players don't make shots, don't rotate the ball well, or just make bad decisions/poor shots. I've felt the inside-out oriented defense should be in the playbook as a reaction to opposing teams dominating in the paint (either by scoring or putting Net's bigs into foul trouble) but not as the defacto defense as Frank applies it now.
From streetball to NBA level i've always preferred just man-to-man D w/ rules on how to rotate based on offenses action (breaking down player / screen - pick & rolls being the obvious plays to react to). Tunnel everything to baseline & have the 5 react to penetration & the 4 react to the 5 for help D & the 5-man D "string" go from there. Frank has rightfully said he wants to take away the straight away 3's (my personal favourite & easiest for me) and the sideline 3's (obviously shortest distance) but again why not see what offenses try to take first before giving them the 3's right off the bat.
Considering the Nets talented, tall & athletic frontcourt you do want to give guys like Boone / Lopez / SWat / Swift / Yi chances to block & alter shots but it starts with the perimeter D slowing down the penetration (NBA level you rarely will be able to completely stop dribble drive penetration esp. if simple picks are used). Have to also consider that all these guys are young & are prone (or Ref biased) to incur fouls and that would be another reason to "protect" them with Frank's inside-out Defense. Last thing you want is the opposing team in the penalty all the time & having to bench important offense frontcourt weapons due to foul trouble BUT my first defense off the jumpball will always be man-to-man & react from there depending on game situation.
This is one part of Frank's growth as a coach can be seen. He is a defense minded coach of course but I've felt he is too regimented in his approach to defense - too many times last year I felt the Nets were getting killed playing the inside-out defense but Frank was to slow to react to it as if he was assuming the other's team's offense would start to breakdown or that our perimeter guys would suddenly react faster or be faster getting to the perimter (under control)....we shall see.
