IT and pick and roll defense

[WolfofCausewayStreet]

Is there anything the Celtics can do to conceal IT's liabilities on the defensive end against a strong backcourt like Toronto?

Why don't the Celtics hedge more on the pick and roll? Al defended the PnR this way in Atlanta and they were a top defense in the league last year. it probably gives IT the most time to recover after getting roasted off of ball screens. Also, The Celtics switch so much and we end up in mismatches. Toronto forced the switch on Derozan several times last night and Demar  either just shoots over Isaiah, or gives up an easy drive to the rim. Obviously I'm not a coach, so I don't know. This is just what my impressions are. Also couldn't  we have tried to blitz Derozan instead of just giving him a wide open mid range shot (over a 5'8 PG?) Jae seems big enough to force a double team on Derozan IMO. If Toronto still scores, fine, but atleast we are forcing Derozan to give up the ball and prevent what is basically an open 15 footer.

I'm not sure if this is enough or if you can in fact really defend Toronto when Isaiah Thomas is such a liability against a strong front court. You can't hide him, and teams just force a switch. Obviously we aren't aggressive when guarding the PnR and we let the offense dictate our defense. Regardless, Do you guys know of any defensive schemes that would limit ITs weakness on the other end?

[LilRip]

I was just about to make a thread like this so TP for beating me to it.

As for the thread, the problem is really with the defensive scheme, I think. The C's play a switching type of defense rather than icing (did I get my terminology right?) the ball handler with strong hedges to let the original defender recover. It's hard to hide IT, even when the opposing team only has one dominant backcourt player, because they can just target him with PnR.

There's no real solution, I guess? Other than not switching. Although yeah, defense really feels like a chain. And if there's a weak link, defense can unravel real quick.

[slamtheking]

can't really hide him on D.  it's not like he isn't making an effort but a 5'9" player can only do so much against someone 4-7 inches taller. 
- can't really contest a shot. 
- can't effectively defend in the post.
- can't block the opposing player's vision of the court for making passes.

As we've seen in the playoffs, smart opposing coaches picked on IT's D for those very aspects. 

it's one of the reasons I think we're better served with him coming off the bench for the sole purpose of scoring.  problem with that is we need a legit starting PG that can defend and score but neither Smart nor Rozier are at that point yet.

[PhoSita]

When the opponent has two big scoring guards in the backcourt, it's going to be tough to hide IT.

[The Oracle]

When the opponent has two big scoring guards in the backcourt, it's going to be tough to hide IT.

You cannot hide anyone on defense anymore.  With the expansion of the game outward and teams all moving the pick and roll/pop beyond the 3 point line there is just way to much space to try and defend.  It is very easy to isolate anyone and create whatever matchup you want.  Ideally you have size/length and speed at all defensive positions.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Put him Carroll and make him beat us?

[WolfofCausewayStreet]

Put him Carroll and make him beat us?

Sure. Yesterday we hid him on Cory Joseph or Carroll. But after running the 1-2, 1-3 PnR, the Celtics gave the switch so easily. We have to either ICE or hedge. We can't switch when we have a guy like IT on the court.

We ICEd pretty much every time with IT on the court last year and we were a top 5 defense. Brad has to change his PnR philosophy back to what it was. Worst come worst we give a slightly contested midrange shot. But if we switch, it's pretty much a guaranteed shot for the opponent.

[rondohondo]

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