ZION: The future of defense and why the eye test lies
First, let me start off by saying that anyone that wants to argue the opposing side on this, feel free. All I would expect is face value arguments with evidence and not just some "I know what my eyes see" nonsense. If your eyes see it, post evidence - because I will.
Now the true first thing I want to say is this: The game of basketball EVOLVES. If you continue to watch it without evolving yourself on how you watch it, you will miss how its transitioning in real time. Understand that what evolves it are certain players that come in and shift the pendulum with their ability.
Coach K and his remarks on Zion are 100% right...Anyone who thinks he's bad at defense is wrong. Coach K just knows where the game is going.
So just where is the game going?
Its obvious. Help Defense and Aggressive defense is pratically finished in the NBA. Its on its last legs in modern basketball and if you are tuning into this offensive massacre in the bubble and haven't realized it, you are falling behind.
Answer me this. If Gentry is such a bad defensive coach, how come in a span of games with our starters, did they have the 2nd best analytic defensive numbers in the league to the Bucks? Can you explain that? My explanation is that our perimeter players desperately needed a rim protector and Favors (In the normal regular season) was that guy to do it. The aggressive defenders like Jrue and Lonzo could do what they do best and it translate into the actual end goal of our defense because they are in fact great defenders on the perimeter WITH A RIM PROTECTER.
So what happened in the bubble?
Favors came back out of shape. His mobility to defend the pick and roll was atrocious and we were back to being that early season Pelicans team that had too aggressive of perimeter defenders without proper rim protection. Look at all the perimeter players that killed us. Are you seriously going to sit here and say that Jrue Holiday, Hart and Lonzo Ball, 3 of the better and more aggressive ball hawks, are bad defensively? Sure you're not...because of the eye test and "they play soooo hard. blah blah blah"
Thats exactly why they got lit up and thats why every defender in the bubble is being lit up. Offensive players are too good now. Too good at ball handling, using screens to put slow footed big men into actions so they don't have to deal with the over aggressive defender and they are too good at shooting now given space. All this was inevitable when they changed the rules back in 2004 that allowed offensive players to get better at skills. Did you not see the outdated aggressive defensive car heading towards the cliff to it's doom? Players could breathe down ball handlers back then. Today? Forget about it. Role players are dropping 41 off the bench. TJ Warren has turned into Michael Jordan. And every player in the bubbles defensive analytics per game is TRASH!
My next post Im going to bring you evidence that the eye test lies.