Interior Defense

[winsomme]

With NateRob gone and DWest struggling to stay healthy, backup PG is clearly a concern. But for me the Cs will sink or float on their interior defense.

KG is playing out of his mind right now (which is why we won tonight) but with BBD going down (adding to Shaq and JO) and Murphy and Nenad not being good rim protectors, I would use our last roster spot on a big.

Some are arguing for Leon (whom I love) but I think with Shaq and JO out, we need a little more size/bulk...

solution: Eddie Curry

I wish Sheed was on the radar but that doesn't appear to be the case. So next best bulky big who can stuff up the middle, at this point, appears to be EC. I guess he is interested in MIA, but maybe we can make a late push for him...

[Megatron]

Our interior defense will get better when our Centers can actually play.

[droponov]

Interior defense

solution: Eddie Curry

Is this sarcasm or are you serious?

[rondohondo]

[vinnie]

There pretty much is no interior defense right now. Hopefully when they start playing good teams again that have good low post players, Shaq will be back. If not, it could get ugly.

[bruinsandceltics]

Interior defense

solution: Eddie Curry

Is this sarcasm or are you serious?

Wait, are you trying to say Eddie Curry ISN'T known for his defense and effort?

[Big_Matt34]

 , don't know what else to say. Eddy Curry was arguably the worst defensive center in the league when he played.

[winsomme]

Interior defense

solution: Eddie Curry

Is this sarcasm or are you serious?

unfortunately not. He's the only the guy out there with the bulk to really stuff up the middle. Even with KG playing great tonight, PHO in the second half was cruising through the lane like someone left the windows open...

[winsomme]

, don't know what else to say. Eddy Curry was arguably the worst defensive center in the league when he played.

well we've already been linked to him and like I've mentioned there's really not much out there.

We need to clog that middle on defense... especially with the second unit.

sarcasm noted, but our defense in the second unit is THAT porous right now.

[Chris]

To be fair, Krstic, Murphy, and Green are still learning the system, and the C's play a complex defensive system.  Yes, these guys are not shot blockers, but once they learn the correct rotations, it is going to make a big difference on the interior defense.

Also, tonight, the perimeter defense was a much bigger problem than the interior.  Yes, they were getting layups, but that is because Nash and Brooks were being allowed to get deep penetration which forced help, and led to the open shots. 

[winsomme]

To be fair, Krstic, Murphy, and Green are still learning the system, and the C's play a complex defensive system.  Yes, these guys are not shot blockers, but once they learn the correct rotations, it is going to make a big difference on the interior defense.

Also, tonight, the perimeter defense was a much bigger problem than the interior.  Yes, they were getting layups, but that is because Nash and Brooks were being allowed to get deep penetration which forced help, and led to the open shots. 

the outside game is a by-product of the inside game, though. The Suns second unit was just cruising in and out of the lane at will...

I know many think Curry is laughable at this point, but I really think we need someone who can stuff up the middle. plus, what's the real risk at this point?

[droponov]

Interior defense

solution: Eddie Curry

Is this sarcasm or are you serious?

unfortunately not. He's the only the guy out there with the bulk to really stuff up the middle. Even with KG playing great tonight, PHO in the second half was cruising through the lane like someone left the windows open...

And it wouldn't be any different with Eddie Curry. He was a worse rim protector that Krstic... and this was when he could play. Was he practising with NY? The last pic I saw of him he looked like Oliver Miller.

Anyway, overreacting to small samples is a mistake. The Celtics interior defense with Garnett off the floor won't be very good till Jermaine O'Neal comes back, but if he's going to come back, there's no need for a panic move. And signing Curry wouldn't solve anything.

[droponov]

Curry in last December. He has played 74 minutes of basketball since March '08. 74 minutes in 3 years. He was already a bad, broken player who went through a lot of health and personnel issues in the last 3 years. Colour me sceptical about these rumours of him being ready to sign with another team. Maybe next season.
 

[Chris]

To be fair, Krstic, Murphy, and Green are still learning the system, and the C's play a complex defensive system.  Yes, these guys are not shot blockers, but once they learn the correct rotations, it is going to make a big difference on the interior defense.

Also, tonight, the perimeter defense was a much bigger problem than the interior.  Yes, they were getting layups, but that is because Nash and Brooks were being allowed to get deep penetration which forced help, and led to the open shots. 

the outside game is a by-product of the inside game, though. The Suns second unit was just cruising in and out of the lane at will...

I know many think Curry is laughable at this point, but I really think we need someone who can stuff up the middle. plus, what's the real risk at this point?

But they wouldn't be cruising in and out of the middle if the guys in the perimeter were stopping them from getting into the lane.  And that's the problem.  

Now, a big part of that is the big men, who should be hedging better (although Krstic did an excellent job of this for stretches) to help on the picks.  But the bottom line is the C's defense has always started from the outside in.  They are able to protect the rim because they do such good a job of stopping the penetration out at the point of attack.  When they do not stop the point of attack, it doesn't matter who you have protecting the basket, because the rules make it very tough to do anything to stop someone once they are in the lane.

As for Eddie Curry, regardless of his ability (or inability) to clog the lane, he was bought out after the deadline, and can't be on the playoff roster, so he is not the answer.

[winsomme]

Interior defense

solution: Eddie Curry

Is this sarcasm or are you serious?

unfortunately not. He's the only the guy out there with the bulk to really stuff up the middle. Even with KG playing great tonight, PHO in the second half was cruising through the lane like someone left the windows open...

And it wouldn't be any different with Eddie Curry. He was a worse rim protector that Krstic... and this was when he could play. Was he practising with NY? The last pic I saw of him he looked like Oliver Miller.

Anyway, overreacting to small samples is a mistake. The Celtics interior defense with Garnett off the floor won't be very good till Jermaine O'Neal comes back, but if he's going to come back, there's no need for a panic move. And signing Curry wouldn't solve anything.

fine, but look at how quickly Doc had to put KG back in the game. We are in a battle for the top two spots in the EC, so the regular season actually does matter...

I mean, this is not about a small sample size. Nenad and Murphy are not good defenders. Curry is not great either, but at least he might keep the middle from seeming like a revolving door...