Remember when I begged CLE to switch all PnR against GSW?
Posted: Mon May 23, 2016 3:03 am
We are now seeing the results of the best way to play defense against the Warriors. Switching almost all game long is the only rational way to play defense against the pick and rolls that Steph initiates. If you trap him, he will dump the ball inside immediately to the rolling big man, after which the big man will successively attack the paint and either finish at the rim or immediately kick the ball to the corner for a wide open three. If you play straight up, Steph will hit six million semi-open threes off the dribble. You must switch and do your best to stay in front of Steph, contest his pull-up threes, and bother his drives to the rim. Having a mindset to switch often also gives you the opportunity to contest more of the threes that the Warriors get off of screens that are happening away from the ball. The Thunder have the correct game-plan on defense in this series, and it is paying dividends thus far.
Approximately an entire year ago, I was begging Cleveland to switch often against the Warriors offense. They refused to listen and therefore suffered grim consequences.
Approximately an entire year ago, I was begging Cleveland to switch often against the Warriors offense. They refused to listen and therefore suffered grim consequences.