But that's what is SO frustrating! The announcers quoted Mike before the game talking about how their impetus was on defense tonight even if it negatively influenced their offense. I really didn't see that at all.
Sure the team played average D, but the effort simply was not there a lot of the time. Stat let that kid get off 3-4 wide open free throw line jumpers because he didn't bother to step out. We gave up a load of points in transition because we were camping out for the OFFENSIVE rebound and didn't get back quick enough. We got away with the lack of defensive effort today by gambling in the passing lanes and Memphis missing a lot of wide open shots.
That's why this win was bittersweet (to quote Walt Clyde Frazier).
Agreed.
Yet,
"Stat let that kid get off 3-4 wide open free throw line jumpers *because he didn't bother to step out*."
"Gave up a *ton* of points because we were camping out for the offensive rebound and *didntnget back quick enough*."
Same old story -- we didn't box out, we didn't go for rebounds, we stood around and let midgets penetrate our interior like Mandingo to a schoolgirl.
All totally true. aka as Chauncey Billups has said, and many others (who play quality D)
Defense = Effort.
That is the heart of the matter. The surrounding tissue, which helps, but isn't so profound nor controllable or attainable -- defensive guru head coach, or assistant coach; defensive genius players.
20M/yr, revered, superstar NBA veterans...supposed captains..vocal no excuse players who have been around a million coaches...experts...and advisors...
Won't box the **** out. Try. Give a basic, basic effort.
This has nothing to do with style or schemes or ability -- not with the coach. Or even the players.
This is the epitome of lazy ass bullshit-dripping doublespeak excused-talking jive ass hypocritical punks.
A new coach won't change shit by himself, not to any appreciable degree that will dent this true monumental cause of the problem that exists.
Barring the coach having the effect of a therapist and hypnotist.
In which case, these players should just stfu and get pacifiers.
What will help? The same thing that has morphed veteran stars who had been plagued by weak ass D and softness.
eg Pau Gasol
eg Rupaul Pierce
eg Ray Allen
etcetc
Other veteran players who are bad mother****ers and will expose them for the above and make them feel and look like soft punks if they don't step to.
Plus, the actual *guaranteed* defensive impact of....actual players who play defense.