bdonovan
06-10-2024, 09:50 AM
I realize this will go over like a lead balloon with some but the fMVP is a meaningless award. Jason Kidd would rather lose the series by doubling Tatum than let Tatum score. He's confident in the approach because it worked well against the Wolves where there was no one who could create on the Wolves except for ANT.
It's not working against the Celtics because a) they have a 2nd player who can penetrate the defense (Brown), and b) The Celtics know how to play against teams over-guarding their top players- Tatum/Brown know how to pass out of the double, and the role-players know how to score when they get the kickout. Contrast that to ANT who just stopped trying when he saw the double, instead of drive and kick.
Brown/Tatum remind me of Jordan/Pippen on the defensive end. Both strong, fast players with an intensity on defense- smother the ball, close the passing lanes, pressure the ball-handler. Leaving little room for the opposing team's margin of error.
Both clearly have put the time in in the gym and with their conditioning. But not just them. There are times where Derrick White got switched on Gafford and prevented him from getting the ball in the post. Granted White is holding and grabbing Irving and others non stop and getting away with it. But the Playoffs allows it. Everyone on the Celtics is putting 100% on defense.
All it takes is one weak link to compromise a team's defense. On the Wolves, that was often KAT, who lazily left his man, or as often the case, refused to provide help defense. All it takes is one to break the defense, and the other team exploits it as the Mavs did.
Meanwhile with the Mavs, even their guards when switched on the bigs can handle their own. Jrue Holiday can keep almost anyone in front of him.
What makes the Celtics so good is they put 100% on both ends of the floor, all 5 starters. For Irving/Doncic, you see 100% on offense, and 50% on defense.
It's not working against the Celtics because a) they have a 2nd player who can penetrate the defense (Brown), and b) The Celtics know how to play against teams over-guarding their top players- Tatum/Brown know how to pass out of the double, and the role-players know how to score when they get the kickout. Contrast that to ANT who just stopped trying when he saw the double, instead of drive and kick.
Brown/Tatum remind me of Jordan/Pippen on the defensive end. Both strong, fast players with an intensity on defense- smother the ball, close the passing lanes, pressure the ball-handler. Leaving little room for the opposing team's margin of error.
Both clearly have put the time in in the gym and with their conditioning. But not just them. There are times where Derrick White got switched on Gafford and prevented him from getting the ball in the post. Granted White is holding and grabbing Irving and others non stop and getting away with it. But the Playoffs allows it. Everyone on the Celtics is putting 100% on defense.
All it takes is one weak link to compromise a team's defense. On the Wolves, that was often KAT, who lazily left his man, or as often the case, refused to provide help defense. All it takes is one to break the defense, and the other team exploits it as the Mavs did.
Meanwhile with the Mavs, even their guards when switched on the bigs can handle their own. Jrue Holiday can keep almost anyone in front of him.
What makes the Celtics so good is they put 100% on both ends of the floor, all 5 starters. For Irving/Doncic, you see 100% on offense, and 50% on defense.