Improving The Defense of the Washington Wizards
Aspects of the match-up zone, how Flip Saunders really helped the team, and what the Wizards need to concentrate on to improve their three-point defense.
about 1 year ago
Truth About It
4 comments
0 recs |
Comments
This is interesting
I’m going to have to write a long post about this, but I kind of take the view that a matchup zone is not necessarily the position to adapt. If our team had the defensive IQ to do it, like Detroit and Saunders’ Minnesota teams did, then it’d be great, but it seemed that one key to our very marginal defensive improvement last year was that Randy Ayers simplified things rather than making them more complex. He played a little zone, sure, but there were fewer complicated schemes than with the decrepit Bill Berry 2007 defense.
I think the theory of protecting the paint is fine because long rebounds lead to more fast break opportunities in theory. We just need to improve our ability to close out on shooters and our tendency to double-team at all costs. Perhaps more matchup zone schemes fix those problems, but I’d rather tinker with our foundation than change it significantly.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
by Mike Prada on Oct 4, 2008 3:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm definitely interested to read your thoughts...
One thing I think I forgot to mention is that it’s easier to keep the other team off the offensive boards in the match-up zone…..the blocking out assignments are usually more clear.
Representing DC with Wizards & Stuff - Truth About It Dot Net
by Truth About It on Oct 4, 2008 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wait, why?
This may be an ignorant question, but it seems it’d be easier to just block out your man than have to find someone in your zone.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
by Mike Prada on Oct 4, 2008 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ahh....my bad....I meant vs. regular zone...
But I’m under the impression that you would rather the Wiz play help-side man……which of course would be the easiest to defend the glass.
Representing DC with Wizards & Stuff - Truth About It Dot Net
by Truth About It on Oct 4, 2008 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs


















