Detroit vs Cleveland Perimeter Defense

[oilcanmo]

It may be early, but to me it seems that Cleveland's defense of the high pick/screen was vastly superior to that of Detroit's. Cleveland did a phenomenal job of switching and cutting off Ray and Pierce specifically, from penetrating and/or getting many clean looks.  I know that this flies in the face of the traditional belief that Detroit's D, certainly their perimeter D, is better than Cleveland's. However, maybe Cleveland's trade finally paid off on the defensive side (as Lebron said) to the point where they overtook Detroit as the premiere Defense (C's aside) in the NBA. Anyway my point is that, if my observation of Detroit's D is accurate.... AND Ray gets his act together, Pierce continues what he is doing and House (assuming he keeps getting the PT) gets open looks with kick-outs due to the penetration and breakdown, the series may be shorter than we all think.  Maybe I am all wet and am missing something, but let me know your thoughts.

[liam]

I totally agree. The Pistons didn't play anyone good yet in the playoffs. Cleveland's D was very very good.

[CLeht11]

It is such a relief to see this type of defense being played on the C's.  And this type of defense isn't too great of one - regardless of the hype about the Detroit Defense.

Sheed cannot stop KG, so they are going to have to either double him on the post or just get wrecked.  Pierce and Allen are just getting looks all day, and when they dont, Pierce esp. will just take it to the rack on such a slender Tayshaun.  If Ray can find his game again, this series will be over sooner than we think.  I think we're finally going to grab a road game in this series because I really think KG and Paul will absolutely shut that crowd right up. 

The Cleveland perimeter defense had Pierce and Allen just about to half court every single time they got the ball of a pick.  The Detroit defense really showed nothing in Game 1.  Lets hope it stays that way but I really and almost know that it won't.

[wdleehi]

In Cleveland, the Pierce/KG pick and roll was tougher because James is so big.  If they got the double on Pierce, he had two bigger defenders on him.

[jr_3421]

The Pierce/KG pick and roll was so tough because Ben Wallace forced Pierce out to half court every time on his show. Sheed isn't gunna be that committed and neither are any other of the DET bigs.

[Mr October]

Cleveland's defense was really impressive. They put forth an effort of 10/10 most of the time, and their bigs are really big.

Detroit isn't as big, and the effort comes and goes. Also clearly they were rusty on Tuesday. I think their speed and length will come back into play tonight. Hopefully not all the way back...

[RockinRyA]

i hvnt been impressed at det def at all since larry brown left.. and even after big ben left.. say what we might about big ben but u cant discount the effort he puts on the defensive..

[footey]

Tommy point to you, oilcan, for pointing this out.  I agree, Cleveland's defense actually much stronger than Pistons, based on what we have seen so far.

[Hoops]

The Pierce/KG pick and roll was so tough because Ben Wallace forced Pierce out to half court every time on his show. Sheed isn't gunna be that committed and neither are any other of the DET bigs.

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