duncan228
03-31-2008, 10:45 AM
It's Hoopsworld...
http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=8067
Defending Duncan
By: Mike Moreau
Sunday's Houston Rockets - San Antonio Spurs matchup was the first opportunity to see Houston defend Tim Duncan and the Spurs without Yao Ming. With Duncan having 25 points and 13 rebounds in a November win and 24 points and 17 rebounds in a two-point January loss, it would be interesting to see how the Rockets would adjust.
With Dikembe Mutombo matched up with Duncan in the first quarter, the Rockets were going to let him guard Duncan straight up. They would bring no double-team because with Mutombo's shot blocking ability he could give Duncan problems. This would allow the other Rocket defenders to stay in better position to defend the Spurs shooters.
However, this assumed that Duncan would work primarily in the low post. The Spurs clearly anticipated this strategy as for the first three minutes of the game Duncan never even attempted to post up. He stayed up around the foul line area - screening, passing, and keeping the lane open for cutters and drivers. This got San Antonio into a nice offensive flow and had everyone involved early in the game, and they jumped out to an early lead.
Duncan's first basket came on an offensive rebound - his first real scoring opportunity. As he got possession on the left side of the lane, Mutombo dug in, with his hands down - clearly defending against the drive and enticing Duncan to shoot the jumper. Duncan hit a jump shot off the glass.
Duncan continued to roam freely around the foul line and top of the key, and Mutombo laid off. He was going to let Duncan stay outside all he wanted. The problem with that is it allows Duncan to screen without his defender helping and it gives Duncan easy, uncontested passing angles. This made the other Rocket defenders fight their man cutting or dribbling, and also have to contend with Duncan, the screener, with no help.
The one time early in the quarter Duncan tried to post up, Mutombo stood him up in the lane as he tried to cut. Mutombo's message was clear - you can stay outside all you want, but you will not post up.
Duncan did catch on the right side once near the elbow and drove right at Mutombo, who held his position with both hands high. Duncan got bumped, but still hit a tough shot. He scored, but no post up and no foul shots.
On another possession, Duncan faced up on the left side. Mutombo took away the middle and dared him to shoot or drive baseline. Duncan went baseline to the corner of the board and shot faked once, twice, three times, four times and finally tried to power it up. Mutombo blocked the shot, but it came right back to Duncan who put it in the second time.
Perfect defense Houston, lucky bounce San Antonio.
For the most part, Houston's defense of Duncan was pretty good. The problem was Tony Parker, Michael Finley and the rest of the Spurs were running wild – going where they wanted to and getting open shots on nearly every possession – roaring through the first quarter with 35 points.
In the second quarter with Mutombo on the bench, the Rockets tried to guard Duncan with Chuck Hayes and Luis Scola. Duncan countered by going right into the post. Houston countered the counter by being physical and pounding away. The Spurs perimeter attack was hitting on all cylinders, so San Antonio did not make any extra effort to take advantage of this matchup.
When Mutombo came back in, Duncan went right back outside.
Of interest was Houston coach Rick Adelman's decision not to start Shane Battier and have him come off the bench to guard Manu Ginobili. He and his staff may have to re-think that one, as San Antonio's perimeter players had a field day in the first half.
For a game or two, maybe a decent enough strategy. However, any plan that puts your best defensive player on the bench may need some reconsideration. And if this becomes a best-of-seven playoff series, you will not see Shane Battier sitting on the bench waiting for the opposing coach to determine his playing time.
Houston actually did defend Tim Duncan pretty well, but good teams - championship teams - have more than one weapon. And if the Spurs can dominate another good team without their best player being the dominant factor, it may be a sign that the Spurs are getting ready for their spring run to the championship.
To beat the champions, opponents better do more than just defend Tim Duncan.
http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=8067
Defending Duncan
By: Mike Moreau
Sunday's Houston Rockets - San Antonio Spurs matchup was the first opportunity to see Houston defend Tim Duncan and the Spurs without Yao Ming. With Duncan having 25 points and 13 rebounds in a November win and 24 points and 17 rebounds in a two-point January loss, it would be interesting to see how the Rockets would adjust.
With Dikembe Mutombo matched up with Duncan in the first quarter, the Rockets were going to let him guard Duncan straight up. They would bring no double-team because with Mutombo's shot blocking ability he could give Duncan problems. This would allow the other Rocket defenders to stay in better position to defend the Spurs shooters.
However, this assumed that Duncan would work primarily in the low post. The Spurs clearly anticipated this strategy as for the first three minutes of the game Duncan never even attempted to post up. He stayed up around the foul line area - screening, passing, and keeping the lane open for cutters and drivers. This got San Antonio into a nice offensive flow and had everyone involved early in the game, and they jumped out to an early lead.
Duncan's first basket came on an offensive rebound - his first real scoring opportunity. As he got possession on the left side of the lane, Mutombo dug in, with his hands down - clearly defending against the drive and enticing Duncan to shoot the jumper. Duncan hit a jump shot off the glass.
Duncan continued to roam freely around the foul line and top of the key, and Mutombo laid off. He was going to let Duncan stay outside all he wanted. The problem with that is it allows Duncan to screen without his defender helping and it gives Duncan easy, uncontested passing angles. This made the other Rocket defenders fight their man cutting or dribbling, and also have to contend with Duncan, the screener, with no help.
The one time early in the quarter Duncan tried to post up, Mutombo stood him up in the lane as he tried to cut. Mutombo's message was clear - you can stay outside all you want, but you will not post up.
Duncan did catch on the right side once near the elbow and drove right at Mutombo, who held his position with both hands high. Duncan got bumped, but still hit a tough shot. He scored, but no post up and no foul shots.
On another possession, Duncan faced up on the left side. Mutombo took away the middle and dared him to shoot or drive baseline. Duncan went baseline to the corner of the board and shot faked once, twice, three times, four times and finally tried to power it up. Mutombo blocked the shot, but it came right back to Duncan who put it in the second time.
Perfect defense Houston, lucky bounce San Antonio.
For the most part, Houston's defense of Duncan was pretty good. The problem was Tony Parker, Michael Finley and the rest of the Spurs were running wild – going where they wanted to and getting open shots on nearly every possession – roaring through the first quarter with 35 points.
In the second quarter with Mutombo on the bench, the Rockets tried to guard Duncan with Chuck Hayes and Luis Scola. Duncan countered by going right into the post. Houston countered the counter by being physical and pounding away. The Spurs perimeter attack was hitting on all cylinders, so San Antonio did not make any extra effort to take advantage of this matchup.
When Mutombo came back in, Duncan went right back outside.
Of interest was Houston coach Rick Adelman's decision not to start Shane Battier and have him come off the bench to guard Manu Ginobili. He and his staff may have to re-think that one, as San Antonio's perimeter players had a field day in the first half.
For a game or two, maybe a decent enough strategy. However, any plan that puts your best defensive player on the bench may need some reconsideration. And if this becomes a best-of-seven playoff series, you will not see Shane Battier sitting on the bench waiting for the opposing coach to determine his playing time.
Houston actually did defend Tim Duncan pretty well, but good teams - championship teams - have more than one weapon. And if the Spurs can dominate another good team without their best player being the dominant factor, it may be a sign that the Spurs are getting ready for their spring run to the championship.
To beat the champions, opponents better do more than just defend Tim Duncan.