Here is mine:
Rose and Gordon are currently combining to score about 57% of Chicago's points. I feel that Pierce can basically contain Salmons. Salmons' speed gives Pierce some problems but still, I think Pierce can keep him contained.
Meanwhile, I'm not overly concerned that Noah, Miller or Thomas are going to kill us on the offensive end.
I focus my entire defense on stopping Rose and Gordon, and take my chances the other guys can't beat us.
1. I crowd Rose coming off picks, make him give up the ball.
2. If Gordon starts going off, I bring in Tony on him and move Ray to SF against Salmons and either rest Pierce or move him to PF if Tryus Thomas or Tim Thomas are playing the spot. If Chicago is going big with Miller and Noah, I leave Ray or Pierce at the three and stay big at the PF with Baby or Moore / Scal?
3. If Rondo is having trouble with Rose again, I bring in Tony on Rose and move Rondo onto Gordon on defense.
Under all these circumstances, I continually crowd Rose and get the ball out of his hands.
I think we're having such troulbe with these guys because we're having trouble thus far with backcourt defense. no one else other than Slamons on this team can really consistently create their own shot. We need to jam these two players. Gordon is good, but he disappears pretty quickly if someone is up in his grill.
I say we ice these two kids defensively by making them the focus of the D and by using Tony on whichever one is hot, we win going away. 10-12 points minimum margin of victory.
Topic: What would be your defensive strategy going into Thursday's game? (Read 4137 times)