Saw this video of Tim Leghler on JJ Redick, and it really relates to what we are seeing with this team.
Basically, contending teams are putting up historic offensive ratings for a number of reasons. Even great defenses are not as effective against them anymore, and there are no contending teams with a defensive identity. What a contending team needs is a defense that is not totally porous, and can clamp down for a 4 minute stretch when needed. You need a lineup you can rely on for a stop.
We are putting up crazy offensive ratings, despite not utilizing Dame to his potential and not yet totally gelling as a team. However, our defense does look porous.
But, we actually have a middle of the pack defense, and we do have a line up we can turn to to get stops. Our starters, Giannis, Brook, Khris, Beas, Dame have a defensive rating of 109, it’s ok. But they have +16.3 net rating. this doesn’t include the option of plugging in Crowder for Beasley in closing situations. As we look today, this is what a contending team looks like in todays NBA. It feels like every team goes off on us, but the whole league is like this. There are multiple 130pt games going up every night.
There is obviously still room for improvement on both sides of the ball, but we are already looking very good. And with very few exceptions, we will arguably have the best player on both sides of the ball every night. I’m excited for the Celtics game, and more games against stronger teams!
by Additional-Read5926
5 Comments
For me at least it’s more so the effort. Most games it just looks like they’re constantly getting out rebounded because the other team just simply shows more effort and wants it more. Same goes with loose balls, close outs, and switches/rotations. If they show more effort and up the physicality they can genuinely be a good defensive team.
i hate calling low effort with professional players and have to believe that some or most of it is scheme and it is beyond me to understand that aspect… our rebounders are not in the right place cuz they r “doing something else” maybe? i dont know….
You seen Boston’s defensive rating my friend?
That’s what I keep saying about my D
Our offense is so scary that we’ve all but caught the Pacers in scoring.