Pick & Roll Defense

[NYCat]

Clearly the weakness, can't defend it.

Help side defense is bad.

If I were playing against us I would run a pick & roll on Ristic every play

[Merkin]

Miller really seems outcoached, not sure why. Since he really is a defensive specialist.

[scumdevils86]

Our defense is so bad

[Merkin]

Time for the fat lady.

[PHXCATS]

Miller really seems outcoached, not sure why. Since he really is a defensive specialist.

You mean Miller? I thought we prided ourselves on D

[Merkin]

[NYCat]

Ayton & Ristic shouldn't be playing the post together. Its a disaster, sit ristic and let Ayton start.

What can he do other than tell his guards to give backside help. They didn't...

not have Ayton and Dusan run 30 feet from the basket every PnR
play Dusan less and switch PnRs that didn't involve PJC

you know, modern basketball

This was way too similar to the X game, and of course Miller didn't adjust

Lineup should be..

Parker "Parker Jackson-Cartwright" Jackson-Cartwright
Allonzo Trier
Rawle Alkins (Smith, or Akot till he comes back)
Emmanuel Akot
DeAndre Ayton

So done with Ristic. Every year he's supposedly "improved." Every year he's a defensive black hole. Lauri should've played the 5 last year.

Our pick and roll defense is terrible, our help defense is bad, our perimeter defense isn't very good. Have a feeling guards will torch us, especially guys like Sexton.

These guards and wings run around our big guys with little resistance

A lot of work to do

[SunnyAZ]

The more teams put smaller players that can shoot, pass, and dribble instead of bigs who can't do those things on the court, the worst our defensive scheme looks. The only NBA team that plays like we do is the Bucks, and despite having incredible individual defensive players (Bledsoe, Middleton, Brogdon, Giannis, Thon, etc) they are one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA. Now college basketball players are obviously not as skilled as NBA players so you can get away with it more often but teams that aren't stubborn or not well coached can generally get good stuff from it.

[RiseAndFire]

how hard is it for opponents to score on you when you only play ONE way on defense? Miller is the definition of predictable from game to game, year to year everybody in the world knows you just draw Arizona's bigs away from the paint because pack line says they must go out and hedge, then the paint is WIIIIIDE open for the layup line

but this had many of the hallmarks of a crappy miller game:
- Another slow start, down what, 8-0 to start the game?
- Cant solve another zone defense, other than jacking 3s that don't go in
- It involved being in a bracket

[NYCat]

I don't think you can be a good fast break team (that takes advantage of your players skills) and be a good packline d team.

But that's more of a recruiting problem, if you want to play that way, recruit players that fit that system.

BTW the offense today wasn't great either. The offense was lacking any motion whatsoever. PJC wasted 10 seconds walking the ball up. Our PGs inbounding the ball for some god awful reason.

Shouldn't be fooled by the 80+ points, the team shot 35 free throws.

[rgdeuce]

Lot of things to bitch about this game but yeah, this team was getting murdered with very vanilla stuff. Teams would be wise to make Miller pay the price for keeping Ristic out there.

Tonights game was like watching the team from two years ago early in the year, without having a Kadeem at least

[zonagrad]

Miller really seems outcoached, not sure why. Since he really is a defensive specialist.

I don't think it's the coaching. I think it's the execution. Weak side help was non-existent. Numerous times the weak side rotation could've disrupted passes. The film study will be embarrassing for everyone. It was dreadful. Even on-ball defense was poor. PJC needs to turn up the intensity guarding the ball. Otherwise he's a 5'9" pushover. He needs to use his size and speed to his advantage. It's ok to pick up a few fouls if you're creating havoc for the opponent trying to run his offense. But hell, this prevent defense type stuff isn't going to work when it's easy to pass over the top of you.

[zonagrad]

I don't think you can be a good fast break team (that takes advantage of your players skills) and be a good packline d team.

But that's more of a recruiting problem, if you want to play that way, recruit players that fit that system.

BTW the offense today wasn't great either. The offense was lacking any motion whatsoever. PJC wasted 10 seconds walking the ball up. Our PGs inbounding the ball for some god awful reason.

Shouldn't be fooled by the 80+ points, the team shot 35 free throws.

Agree. If a team wants to pick up man-to-man full court, you have to make them pay. And pay dearly. I can't stand it when PJC beats the pressure and crosses half court, only to back the ball out to set up a half court set. Once you have the numbers advantage, you need to step on the opponents throat. Do that enough and they'll be racing to get back on defense to prevent easy buckets. We played right into NC State's hands.

[TatetheGreat]

I think coaching has something to do with the lack of execution. Miller needs to have his guys prepared for every single opponent. He knew long ago who we were playing in game one, so there is no excuse there. He also kept Akot on the bench for all but four minutes to teach him a lesson...about intensity in practice. Really? We talkin' 'bout practice? Maybe that is fine against NAU at home, but not against a hungry ACC team in the Bahamas. Very disappointing showing from Smith, Barcello, and Randolph. All three looked like walk-ons tonight. There was no reason to keep Akot out when those guys weren't getting it done.

[DiehardDave37]

Yeah, why were the PGs inbounding the ball? Weren't the PFs doing their job?

[Chicat]

how hard is it for opponents to score on you when you only play ONE way on defense? Miller is the definition of predictable

Pot
Kettle

... and now that we all know each other, are we all on the same page that no matter the scheme, the defense being played by individuals on that court was terrible?

Play a zone all you want. If players aren’t doing what they are supposed to, the other team scores in bunches.

[RiseAndFire]

yes you can predict every time we lose a game the miller apologists default excuse will be "players didn't execute Millers genius gameplan (that one which hasn't been altered in any material way for over a decade)"

how about the $2M coach put the players in the best position to succeed? For plodding Ristic and athletic freak Ayton, that means NOT having them run out of the paint to guard the perimeter, trying to hedge and recover when their man dashes to the hoop. if that means zone so be it make a damn defensive adjustment you're the coach.

what the hell good is it to have 2 seven footers defending if they're never in the freaking paint?!

[zonagrad]

Still wondering why Akot played just 4 minutes. The guy goes from starting to four minutes? Miller certainly sending a message. This team needs some defensive leadership.

[zonagrad]

yes you can predict every time we lose a game the miller apologists default excuse will be "players didn't execute Millers genius gameplan (that one which hasn't been altered in any material way for over a decade)"

how about the $2M coach put the players in the best position to succeed? For plodding Ristic and athletic freak Ayton, that means NOT having them run out of the paint to guard the perimeter, trying to hedge and recover when their man dashes to the hoop. if that means zone so be it make a damn defensive adjustment you're the coach.

what the hell good is it to have 2 seven footers defending if they're never in the freaking paint?!

Sure, play zone. Opponents will pass over the top of PJC and shoot uncontested three's. And we'll give up more offensive rebounds. And what will your answer be to that? Poor execution?

Bottom line: you need to be able to guard your man and understand rotation defense, weak side help, taking away the baseline, etc... The players are so talented they haven't had to play tough man defense. Now they're about to learn. It's November. And this is where the light bulb should go on and your team improves.

[RiseAndFire]

yes you can predict every time we lose a game the miller apologists default excuse will be "players didn't execute Millers genius gameplan (that one which hasn't been altered in any material way for over a decade)"

how about the $2M coach put the players in the best position to succeed? For plodding Ristic and athletic freak Ayton, that means NOT having them run out of the paint to guard the perimeter, trying to hedge and recover when their man dashes to the hoop. if that means zone so be it make a damn defensive adjustment you're the coach.

what the hell good is it to have 2 seven footers defending if they're never in the freaking paint?!

Sure, play zone. Opponents will pass over the top of PJC and shoot uncontested three's. And we'll give up more offensive rebounds. And what will your answer be to that? Poor execution?

simple, my answer will be you have a pair of 7' giants in the paint where they are supposed to be and i'll take my chances that they'll be able to rebound. and If pjc is too small then insert literally any other guard

otherwise take ristic and ayton out when playing pack line because they are liabilities.or leave them in and get clowned by unranked also ran acc team

[Spaceman Spiff]

Miller really seems outcoached, not sure why. Since he really is a defensive specialist.

I don't think it's the coaching. I think it's the execution. Weak side help was non-existent. Numerous times the weak side rotation could've disrupted passes. The film study will be embarrassing for everyone. It was dreadful. Even on-ball defense was poor. PJC needs to turn up the intensity guarding the ball. Otherwise he's a 5'9" pushover. He needs to use his size and speed to his advantage. It's ok to pick up a few fouls if you're creating havoc for the opponent trying to run his offense. But hell, this prevent defense type stuff isn't going to work when it's easy to pass over the top of you.

I seriously doubt Miller is coaching much differently than the years we've been tremendous. These are the issues:

1. Our vets are not stellar defenders. PJC, Dusan and Trier are our vets right now and they're all meh. I think Rawle is our only plus returning defender and he's not there.
2. The younger kids aren't ready to pick up the slack. We have a lot of guys with physical tools like Ayton, Akot and Randolph, but athleticism alone won't get it done. The skill level portion of D is lacking with our younger players.

This was our first test and we flunked it on D. It needs to get better.

[PHXCATS]

It is simple. The guys can either do what Miller asks on D and get their heads out of their asses or Miller must adjust otherwise we have an Arizona Cardinals season and that is unacceptable with this roster.

[SunnyAZ]

I seriously doubt Miller is coaching much differently than the years we've been tremendous. These are the issues:

yes but teams are shooting more threes than ever and putting more dudes who can pass, shoot, and dribble on the court. Having players run 30 feet from the basket (especially two 7-footers) and cover ground is harder than ever. And yes it helps having the backside defender be Stanley, Aaron, and Rondae so they can hold off the big and recover and still play good defense but we don't have a Rondae, Stanley or Aaron on this roster.

If we started Pinder or Lee that would help because they are way faster and can do it better. But I'd still rather have Ayton and Dusan sit back on the PnR and have the guards fight over. Most teams ice sideline PnRs, especially if the big can't shoot, that would help. Then we could switch PnRs that involve Lee, Pinder, Trier, Rawle, Akot, Smith, Randolph, basically anyone but PJC and Dusan.

[CatHoops]

Ristic is flat footed and just stands with his hand up. I know Miller loves the seniors so doubt he gets less PT

[YoDeFoe]

I seriously doubt Miller is coaching much differently than the years we've been tremendous. These are the issues:

1. Our vets are not stellar defenders. PJC, Dusan and Trier are our vets right now and they're all meh. I think Rawle is our only plus returning defender and he's not there.
2. The younger kids aren't ready to pick up the slack. We have a lot of guys with physical tools like Ayton, Akot and Randolph, but athleticism alone won't get it done. The skill level portion of D is lacking with our younger players.

This was our first test and we flunked it on D. It needs to get better.

All of this.