Our improving defense

[KI4MVP]

Our defensive numbers for the season look pretty bad.

opp FG% - 46.7
opp 3P% - 39.2
opp ppg - 97.5

However, if you look at the last 5 games, the number are getting better

opp FG% - 45.9
opp 3P% - 36.3
opp ppg - 93.2

none of those are where we want to be, but all 3 measures show improvement. Here is perhaps the biggest sign of improvement. In 3 of the last 5 games we held the other team below 90 points. Something we only managed 4 times in the first 20 games.

 

[Wine and Gold]

We've come to play really good defense in 3 of the last five games ....and got better in the other two as the game progressed ...but, we still have signs of not being where we need to be in terms of team defense. But, improvement is there , we just have a ways to go to get consistent in our defensive effort. I don't know that we have the right mix of players to reach our potential this year ...but, we're better in terms of overall effort. And Lebron has been a positive of late in those terms ...he's bringing more on the defensive end, as is Z.

 

[KI4MVP]

I figure that it's a rush to get where we want to be in 82 games. that's why we started working on it day 1 of camp and haven't let up to work on offense. The offense is just fine, the defense is a work in progress. Week to week and month to month progress is what we're after.

 

[CleveRocks]

Newble seems to be making a difference in limited minutes as his net PER is +12..

 

[cdt]

Newble is making a difference, if Larry wasn't on the floor to guard the other teams number one we were screwed. But now Larry doesn't need to spend 40 minutes on say a Vince Carter. Larry will be fresher on the offensive end as a result. It's nice being able to throw two people in Larry and Newble at someone instead of just one. Plus LeBron in the passing lanes, and Z and Gooden blocking some shots down low gives us a nice balance.

 

[ootbttnlagitnbasf]

our defensive surge is on the rise. we are locking down these teams that come into the q expecting to win. scoring juggernauts like the bulls are learning a lesson the hard way.

ya just gotta love homestands.

 

[KI4MVP]

Yes, Newble has been a big plus. Some complained we were in trouble if we were counting on Newble, but he really has brought balance to our rotation. Once he comes into the game we have replaced 2 scores and 1 defender with 2 scorers and 1 defender.

 

[Karma]

Here's hoping this improved defense is in fact Brown's "system" starting to pay dividends. He has talked the talk with his defensive philosiphies, but the players haven't been able to translate it into walking the walk. Our allowed 3pt % was ghastly, it had no choice but to go down.

 

[KI4MVP]

perhaps this is more telling.

Newble has played 4 games. In those 4 games, opponents are down to .459, .317 from 3, and we are giving up just 91.25 ppg. The last two would rank among the league's best. The .459 still needs work

 

[Hail to the Thief]

I really appreciated the way LeBron forced Jefferson to miss two shots all game. Personally I had him down for going 100%. The way James shepered him to being blocked by Ilgauskas was classic stuff.

 

[PIP]

I really appreciated the way LeBron forced Jefferson to miss two shots all game. Personally I had him down for going 100%. The way James shepered him to being blocked by Ilgauskas was classic stuff.

Well put...

 

[Hail to the Thief]

I must retract my comments. I forgot Richard Jefferson was part of the all conquering USA National team. Nobody could stop him......except Nachbar, Nocioni, Radmanovic, Monya, Gaze, Schrempf, Welsch, Kukoc, Petrovic, Radja, Stojacovic, Pavlovic, Sunofabitch, in fact only every opponent.

 

[PIP]

Sunofabitch is always in those passing lanes....

 

[Karma]

When teams have 2 scoring wings like Clippers, Sonics, and Nets James gets exposed.