Re: Philly game

[Alex Wang <awang@mit.edu>]

There seems to be a common misconception that Pitino has some sort of
coaching insanity or lack of preparation that makes him tell the
Celtics to front the post and trap inside in the halfcourt defense.
Basically, every team in the league fronts the post against a decent
inside player - including Antoine - unless they have phenomenal
straight-up inside defenders. This even includes tough halfcourt
"man-to-man" teams like Miami, New York, and Philly. Similarly, when
the offensive man gets the ball with good inside position, despite the
front, every team in the league that I've seen traps. Do you notice
that Antoine gets double-teamed when he gets the ball close to the
basket, even though those of us watching at home typically consider
him an offensive liability? 

If the offensive team executes and rotates the ball effectively, the
result will be an open jumper. The Celtics do this effectively on
occasion, and when they do they are an excellent offensive team.
Basically, giving up and getting open shots, or good inside shots, is
a function of good offensive and defensive execution. It's not some
sort of "game preparation" where Pitino forgets to say in the locker
room, "don't give up open shots." It's something that's developed over
years. Remember that 80% of our first unit is 25 years old or younger.
I would bet that just about every team with as many important players
so young has occasionaly problems with execution, especially on the
defensive end.

Alex


Dan F writes:

> It is obvious to me other teams are better prepared then us. Each game I
> see the opposition getting jumpers so open there's a pause before the shot.
> I mean trip after trip up and down the floor. We have capabilities of
> stopping some inside traffic, but it seems the opposition scores around 10
> points under the basket uncontested per game because of a defensive
> breakdown. Pierce is overplaying offensively because we need scoring
> desperately down the stretch when everyone else tightens up. After 16 games
> it looks like we'll have a difficult time getting above 500 if that. Maybe
> Forston can help. I have to believe we'd be 9-7 with him to this point.
>