Defending the Zone D

Rich4114 · Post #1 » by **Rich4114** » Thu Apr 1, 2010 7:39 pm

So we haven't talked about this much, but what are we going to do about the zone defense? Our offense is mediocre at best and when teams throw a zone D at us we can't seem to bust it open. There's been times where they put Boris in the zone to take the middle because of his height and passing ability, but I've seen our offense come to a SCREECHING halt when facing the zone. Everyone is doing it to us now too. Is LB going to have an answer for this?

Maybe one of the problems is our inability to spread the floor on offense + not a lot of confidence in anyone to shoot except Jax. I can't tell you how many times I've seen them swing the ball around a zone and Wallace or Diaw get it and totally freeze not knowing what to do with the ball. Any basketball expert will tell you the chances of making a shot in rhythm are much better than when you hesitate. Do they need to have the mindset of "shoot as soon as I have the open shot" when facing the zone? Bury a few 3's and the zone will turn back to man D.

Stun704 · Post #2 » by **Stun704** » Thu Apr 1, 2010 7:54 pm

your right, how would a Pick and roll do against the zone? Tyson Theo TT or Diaw come up and set a pick for the ball handler, thusly it'll be a speed mismatch with the big man being on the wing player, then the wing player iso in, either drives it to the hole and picks up a foul, or kicks it back out and hit the open man when the defense collapses on him

Post #3 » by **BigSlam** » Thu Apr 1, 2010 8:03 pm

It's easy to break a zone with ball movement.

Go outside from the point into the high post and force the D to collapse on the high post.
Then from the high post move the ball to the elbow and get the D to start chasing.
That should open up the baseline for open cuts or at the least allow the guy at the elbow to attack the rim.

Our problem is that when he go back to the elbow, Jax will stand there and shoot.

More often than not a zone will collapse on the ball at some stage. When that happens you just have to find the seam.

If you don't move the ball though the zone can remain stationary.

Rich4114 · Post #4 » by **Rich4114** » Thu Apr 1, 2010 11:01 pm

and Slam I think that's our problem, we don't move the ball through the zone and then when we do, we have hesitation and don't shoot in rhythm.

Le Meneur · Post #5 » by **Le Meneur** » Fri Apr 2, 2010 3:50 am

Hello Cats fan,
I'm new to this (although I've been reading for years now and I'm familiar with most of you already ;-)

and i just decided to join the writing fun.
Since I'm working at night (I live in France) which is game time, it is perfect timing ! lol

I've been following your team since Diaw's arrival. I like what has been done to upgrade the team since then and I love the identity and style of play of this squad... Well on most night anyway ! lol

Back to the topic:
In my humble opinion, the key to the zone is Diaw as he's an excellent zone breaker because of his skill set.
He's used to the zone having played in Europe and he's a very smart player with very high Bball IQ.
The thing with Boris that can be (very) frustrating is his lack of agressiveness on the offensive end, but it is because of his will to serve the team. Of course some time, he fools himself and it actually hurt the team not to shoot and hesitate.
But the guy thinks the game and that is what you need to attack a zone : ball movement and smart plays. Both areas where he excells.

As a matter of fact, I think the general offense (not only in zone situations) should be run through him more. It's not like Ray is a Nash or Paul "floor general" type and Jax is a good creator but he's too much mistakes prone in my mind not to mention when he gets in his "I'm getting **** crazy insane" mode ! lol
Boris needs to be trusted, call him soft or whatever but it's the way he fonctions, not gonna change. Might as well go half his way and see what happens.
He's been the one to sacrifice the most from the different changes that have occured on the team, if you really look at it in an objective way. Ray is the same player (although better than last year in his shot selection), Crash is, well, Crash, Jax came in and played the same way he's been playing for years.
Boris has been the facilicator, trying to fill the needs, somtimes getting lost in the process but that is to be expected in situations where you have to adjust constantly.

Rich4114 · Post #6 » by **Rich4114** » Fri Apr 2, 2010 4:47 am

good to have you post Le Meneur (heh)... you need to pick yourself up a boris sig stat

Le Meneur · Post #7 » by **Le Meneur** » Fri Apr 2, 2010 6:20 am

Rich4114 wrote:good to have you post Le Meneur (heh)... you need to pick yourself up a boris sig stat

Thanks man !
Yeah I know, I try not to be a homey with Boris but you know... He's one of my favourite player even though he drives me crazy... But most of the time it is the way he's being used that drives me even crazier ! lol

And I know you've been quite hard on him Rich so we should have our little epic battles in the forseeable future on these boards ! lol

Post #8 » by **BigSlam** » Fri Apr 2, 2010 11:45 am

Great to have you here LM. Welcome to the board.

Rich4114 · Post #9 » by **Rich4114** » Fri Apr 2, 2010 1:19 pm

Le Meneur wrote:
Rich4114 wrote:good to have you post Le Meneur (heh)... you need to pick yourself up a boris sig stat

Thanks man !
Yeah I know, I try not to be a homey with Boris but you know... He's one of my favourite player even though he drives me crazy... But most of the time it is the way he's being used that drives me even crazier ! lol

And I know you've been quite hard on him Rich so we should have our little epic battles in the forseeable future on these boards ! lol

lol don't worry, I've deferred my hardness towards DJ....

Le Meneur · Post #10 » by **Le Meneur** » Sat Apr 3, 2010 8:03 am

Rich4114 wrote:lol don't worry, I've deferred my hardness towards DJ....

Alright then ! lol

What a nails biting games last night, damn !
glad we were able to prevail though !
Bobcats rule !

Le Meneur · Post #11 » by **Le Meneur** » Sat Apr 3, 2010 8:08 am

BigSlam wrote:Great to have you here LM. Welcome to the board.

Thanks BigSlam, Yoda Master of these boards.

I love the way you go about your business, Sir... Always a good read from you and you are one of the reason this board is one (if not the one) greatest of them all... Mad respect

Glad to be here

Post #12 » by **Walt Cronkite** » Sat Apr 3, 2010 5:55 pm

Agree with Le Meneur, Boris has shredded many a zone (when the stars have been in perfect alignment and he's "feeling it")... otherwise:

Ball movement and shooting are of utmost importance...so it's easy to see how we struggle so much against zones.

Dexmor · Post #13 » by **Dexmor** » Tue Apr 6, 2010 5:51 pm

D.J. is our only zone buster.