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One thing that I've wanted to mention, and haven't until now ...is basically everyone's evaluation of how we will perform defensively based primarily on the players and individuals on the team. Our most important acquisition this offseason to help our defense was Mike Brown. Good defense is 99% team cohesion, and 1% individual skill level. Mike Brown is here because he is a master technician at formulating defensive strategy, and implementing the plan on the court. From having coached teams from summer rec leagues, to high school ball, and into the college level, one thing that always pertained to the quality defensive units was an infection of energy and caring about that side of the ballgame within the coaching staff, and into the player ranks. That concentration and focus comes first and foremost from the coaching staff, but from a Cavs standpoint everything on the players level will stem from Lebron James, because even at this young age...he is the leader...if he cares the team will care. Lebron James lack of a quality defensive game last year was more based on the enormous number of minutes he played every game. NO PLAYER ...NONE, in history could go out and play 45-48 minutes a game and have the sustainability to play the defensive game 100%. When Lebron James focuses on his defense and doesn't take that part of the game as his point to catch a blow ...he's NOT a bad defender at all. I've seen flashes of where he plays defense hard and he can d up with anyone. If you look at Jeff Van Gundy's teams ...he's a defensive specialist in the same mold as Mike Brown ...he had a team last year in Houston that didn't have great individual defensive performers ..as a matter of fact, if you look at Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming ..you have two players that embody what Z and Lebron are characterized as. But, he was able to transform that team and those players attitudes towards defense greatly to the positive. I expect the same thing to happen here, because that is the focus this coaching staff has for our eventual improvement.
Defense is recognition of game situations, and an understanding of where to go and who to assist at the appropriate time. It's never more about footspeed, or jumping ability, or bulk. When you are a proven teacher of that aspect of the game, you're players will understand what they are to do and do it on the court. In summary, good dfense is good coaching, and I expect to see it this season based on Mike Brown's track record. I also love the fact that Brian Windhorst has stated that Brown is leaving the remaining spots on his coaching staff open for Larry Brown's assistants. Because they are the best coached team in the league, and it had to do with those assistants and their undertsanding of defensive schemes, and the ability to teach sound defensive philosophy and skills to those players. Paul Silas was lacking in most forms of proper coaching philosophy ...and it showed. I think we're in extremely good shape with these new guys, and feel confodent that they will get the players motivated on that end of the court. We actually have decent guys who can play that game ...Ira Newble, Larry Hughes, Eric Snow, Anderson Varajao will be a diamond when he is actually developed by this coaching staff ...he could eventaully be all-defense 1st team for years and years... and I'll tell ya ...Z knows where and what to do defensively ...he just needs proper help from his teammates ..which he never got last year. If we keep Gooden, which I don't advocate, but if we do ...it will be interesting if this coaching staff can develop his on-court undertsanding of his defensive reposibilities. Because, IF ...IF ...he ever gets that aspect. He will turn into one of the best PF in the entire game. All his game really needs is an injection of defensive IQ into his brain, and he's everything any coach could ask for in a PF. Possibly even worth the risk of starting the season with, just to see if these new coaches can get him developed and disciplined in the art of team defense. Lord knows he's got lots of tools, more than the guys we'd be getting back in return for in any trade ...just food for thought..
thoughts ?
Defense is recognition of game situations, and an understanding of where to go and who to assist at the appropriate time. It's never more about footspeed, or jumping ability, or bulk. When you are a proven teacher of that aspect of the game, you're players will understand what they are to do and do it on the court. In summary, good dfense is good coaching, and I expect to see it this season based on Mike Brown's track record. I also love the fact that Brian Windhorst has stated that Brown is leaving the remaining spots on his coaching staff open for Larry Brown's assistants. Because they are the best coached team in the league, and it had to do with those assistants and their undertsanding of defensive schemes, and the ability to teach sound defensive philosophy and skills to those players. Paul Silas was lacking in most forms of proper coaching philosophy ...and it showed. I think we're in extremely good shape with these new guys, and feel confodent that they will get the players motivated on that end of the court. We actually have decent guys who can play that game ...Ira Newble, Larry Hughes, Eric Snow, Anderson Varajao will be a diamond when he is actually developed by this coaching staff ...he could eventaully be all-defense 1st team for years and years... and I'll tell ya ...Z knows where and what to do defensively ...he just needs proper help from his teammates ..which he never got last year. If we keep Gooden, which I don't advocate, but if we do ...it will be interesting if this coaching staff can develop his on-court undertsanding of his defensive reposibilities. Because, IF ...IF ...he ever gets that aspect. He will turn into one of the best PF in the entire game. All his game really needs is an injection of defensive IQ into his brain, and he's everything any coach could ask for in a PF. Possibly even worth the risk of starting the season with, just to see if these new coaches can get him developed and disciplined in the art of team defense. Lord knows he's got lots of tools, more than the guys we'd be getting back in return for in any trade ...just food for thought..
thoughts ?
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