Podcast discusses our D, Nets struggles, how the NBA is changing

[Kiorrik]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAcEK5wgo3E

It's a long watch.

I know that's not popular these days, but for those that sit through, there's some really cool things to discuss.

What we're doing here is "stopping superstars, and making scrubs beat us". Remember the start of game 2? Bruce Brown got some easy buckets because we literally just let him shoot, and only contested once he got close to the key.

In the podcast, they're making a point about how that's how you HAVE to defend in an NBA where every team has between 1 and 3 superstars. About how the defense is starting to shift overall, towards a defense like that.

Celtics under Ime might be at the forefront of that, meaning more and more teams will see what we're doing and adapt.

And it's not just as simple as "switching everything" or "double-teaming" or "blitzing".

What we've done is gather the personnel required to play in this style. From Rob to Al to even Theis. Even though Theis might not have the reputation as the best defender, he's physically able to do a lot of things that fit really well with how we play. He's able to stick to a guard better than most big men.

What I find interesting is that our offense is hardly talked about. Imo, that's because our defense is our offense. You get stops, you can attack before a defense is set. Which means you just need agile, smart, quick players. Which is exactly what you need for our defensive scheme to work as well.

Lemme know if you ended up watching the whole thing too.

Kinda curious to see who's up for sitting through such a long analysis :]

[footey]

TP  I love this stuff.

[slamtheking]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAcEK5wgo3E

It's a long watch.

I know that's not popular these days, but for those that sit through, there's some really cool things to discuss.

What we're doing here is "stopping superstars, and making scrubs beat us". Remember the start of game 2? Bruce Brown got some easy buckets because we literally just let him shoot, and only contested once he got close to the key.

In the podcast, they're making a point about how that's how you HAVE to defend in an NBA where every team has between 1 and 3 superstars. About how the defense is starting to shift overall, towards a defense like that.

Celtics under Ime might be at the forefront of that, meaning more and more teams will see what we're doing and adapt.

And it's not just as simple as "switching everything" or "double-teaming" or "blitzing".

What we've done is gather the personnel required to play in this style. From Rob to Al to even Theis. Even though Theis might not have the reputation as the best defender, he's physically able to do a lot of things that fit really well with how we play. He's able to stick to a guard better than most big men.

What I find interesting is that our offense is hardly talked about. Imo, that's because our defense is our offense. You get stops, you can attack before a defense is set. Which means you just need agile, smart, quick players. Which is exactly what you need for our defensive scheme to work as well.

Lemme know if you ended up watching the whole thing too.

Kinda curious to see who's up for sitting through such a long analysis :]

pretty much the opposite approach to how teams played Jordan and the Bulls in the 80's --> shut down the supporting cast and force Jordan to score 60+ to win. 

[Vermont Green]

I don't think this is anything new.  Even back in the Bird era, teams would play us so that is was Dennis Johnson that had to beat them, not Bird or McHale.  That is also why you tend to see different "role" players emerge in playoff games or series as an unexpected star.  And more often those role players play better at home.

It may be true that the Celtics under Udoka have evolved this general approach and are executing it a little differently, I don't know.  Durant and Kyrie combined for 62 pts in game 1 and 37 in game 2.  Durant was about the same in both but Kyrie was not.  Kyrie hit every tough shot in game 1, simply didn't in game 2.  Brown and Dragic are seeing more shots.

Same is true for Horford and Smart, they are seeing more shots.  It was Pritchard that was that unexpected role player in game 2.  I guess Grant Williams too.

[gift]

I don't think this is anything new.  Even back in the Bird era, teams would play us so that is was Dennis Johnson that had to beat them, not Bird or McHale.  That is also why you tend to see different "role" players emerge in playoff games or series as an unexpected star.  And more often those role players play better at home.

It may be true that the Celtics under Udoka have evolved this general approach and are executing it a little differently, I don't know.  Durant and Kyrie combined for 62 pts in game 1 and 37 in game 2.  Durant was about the same in both but Kyrie was not.  Kyrie hit every tough shot in game 1, simply didn't in game 2.  Brown and Dragic are seeing more shots.

Same is true for Horford and Smart, they are seeing more shots.  It was Pritchard that was that unexpected role player in game 2.  I guess Grant Williams too.

Yeah, I don't think this is anything new. It depends on the whole teams involved. Sometimes you do simply concede points to a star and sometimes you try to force their teammates to beat you. One factor is your belief in your team to affect the opposing stars. If you don't think you've got the personnel to do it, you might change your approach.

[timpiker]

I really enjoyed this podcast. It's amazing how good the Celtics defense really is. I think this is been in the works a long time to get five players that can play almost they can play defense on them almost every position on the floor so that they can switch and double team and recover really well. It really is magnificent to watch and I really feel the Celtics have a very very good team