eye test only

[rollie mass]

isaiah defence this year even better
he's short but quick and makes them work
he is a fighter both ends

[Al91]

Using only the small number of plays I can remember right now as a sample, I'd say that his defense sticks out at least...in a positive way. I'm not horribly afraid that he'll get killed on switches with an opposing big man if they have a high dribble.

[rollie mass]

did marcus look a little chunky-any pics of jerebko and his clothes that was mentioned on garden report--and finally turner and his gautier sunglasses-as i said eye test only

[coffee425]

Using only the small number of plays I can remember right now as a sample, I'd say that his defense sticks out at least...in a positive way. I'm not horribly afraid that he'll get killed on switches with an opposing big man if they have a high dribble.

He does a good (not great) job of cutting off dribbles and keeping his man in front of him. However, he's often been abused by players that have posted him up and backed him down. Fortunately for the Cs, there aren't too many of those guards in the league with these post skills.

[SHAQATTACK]

If all the C's had Crowders weight room ethics thee be better for it.

[Hemingway]

I feel like I have spent more time reading about how bad IT is on D than I have seen him play bad on D. Sense we got him I can only remember a hanful of times when teams have successfully run iso post ups on him. As CBS said, the team is buying in on D. Thats whats its all about. If everyone is thinking about their stats to get their next contract than what is the point in playing D. We have a great thing going. No ME in Celtics!

[wdleehi]

Good team defense can and often will help all players play better defense. 

[D Dub]

TP.  i was hoping this was a rollie mass thread.  always dig your observations.

[D Dub]

I'm amazed that the AB/IT backcourt doesn't get exploited more on D.
most high school teams feature taller guards...

[hwangjini_1]

good points rollie.

my worry for IT is that his style of play, when combined with his smallish stature, will sooner or later result in an injury. for him to go all out on offense AND defense against big bodies each game, that concerns me.

without IT this team would probably be under .500 on the season and lottery bound.

i am not sure what CBS can do about this, save play him a few less minutes a night.

[Future Celtics Owner]

good points rollie.

my worry for IT is that his style of play, when combined with his smallish stature, will sooner or later result in an injury. for him to go all out on offense AND defense against big bodies each game, that concerns me.

without IT this team would probably be under .500 on the season and lottery bound.

i am not sure what CBS can do about this, save play him a few less minutes a night.

Ya without IT this team would prob have as many wins as BKN

[slamtheking]

Using only the small number of plays I can remember right now as a sample, I'd say that his defense sticks out at least...in a positive way. I'm not horribly afraid that he'll get killed on switches with an opposing big man if they have a high dribble.

He does a good (not great) job of cutting off dribbles and keeping his man in front of him. However, he's often been abused by players that have posted him up and backed him down. Fortunately for the Cs, there aren't too many of those guards in the league with these post skills.

this.  smart coaches/players have been making use of the size difference and going over the top of IT.  The Pistons game had a number of plays where the Pistons just went over IT -- Jackson in particular. 

[rollie mass]

posting isaiah up with a help defence makes it tricky and as you stated there arn't many guards that have that skill set
as to injuries i just marvel at how these players get thrown about
WE SHOULD ALL APPRECIATE THE GIFT OF ISAIAH while we have him
because he is one serious injury from being a player who could never get back to that level
ISAIAH IS A GIFT----thanks danny

[coffee425]

Using only the small number of plays I can remember right now as a sample, I'd say that his defense sticks out at least...in a positive way. I'm not horribly afraid that he'll get killed on switches with an opposing big man if they have a high dribble.

He does a good (not great) job of cutting off dribbles and keeping his man in front of him. However, he's often been abused by players that have posted him up and backed him down. Fortunately for the Cs, there aren't too many of those guards in the league with these post skills.

this.  smart coaches/players have been making use of the size difference and going over the top of IT.  The Pistons game had a number of plays where the Pistons just went over IT -- Jackson in particular.

Also MCW with the Bucks a couple of times.
Might seem ironic, but Marcus Smart might be the biggest problem for IT4, given his size and relatively good post skills (can we please have more of these plays, CBS?).