catch20two wrote:Is our defense significantly worse this season under Borrego because we’ve abandoned Clifford’s dig defensive strategy and now we’re giving up a lot of layups (sans Biyombo being on the floor)?
Yeah pretty much, but it is important to note that Clifford's plan works vs teams that can't shoot the three. These tend to be young teams. Teams that can shoot routinely blew us out of the gym under Clifford.
Our 3pt defense is 12th this year (34.7 for opposing teams). That is better then it ever was under Clifford. Last year we were 27th (37.5%) and the year before we were 25th (36.9%). Cliffs best year we were 15th (35.3%) and the two years before that we were 22nd (35.7%) and 27th (37.2%)
Clifford's scheme is a relic from before the space and pace era. It helps beat the rebuilding teams and can drag a middling team to the 8th - 12th spot, but you get blown out by the good teams in the playoffs if you get there.
Coach JB goes small a lot more which helps defending the 3pt line but gives up more points in the paint and more offensive rebounds to the other team. Part of our problem has also been Willy (I play defense with my arms at my sides) Hermangomez. It also takes a little bit to adjust to a new scheme and hopefully we will continue to improve.
