Historic turn around for defense?

[FindEndNow 198]

Our defense one of the worst if not the worst in team history last year. Some fans have their expectations set to Final Four... but the defense is still in question. Can this team and staff turn this team from one of the worst in the nation into even a Top 100 defense? How realistic is that really? What would be our best defensive starting lineup? Who should start at the 3 and 4 spots? The 3 and 4 spots will be the biggest questions to answer for our defense.

[Banksyrules 4,833]

We still need to hire a assistant coach right? Hopefully he or she has a defensive mind.

[djsalway 4,161]

I think we can with a competent big man in TB. James also knows that he has to get better on the defensive end to make it in the NBA, so I hope he puts in the effort to get better. I think it's possible if everyone buys in and wants to get better.

[Brass Cannon 24,874]

I think we can with a competent big man in TB. James also knows that he has to get better on the defensive end to make it in the NBA, so I hope he puts in the effort to get better. I think it's possible if everyone buys in and wants to get better.

 

I think Yogi, JBJ and Troy all got told they needed to improve their defense.  Which hopefully helps us out, since they all seem very focused on getting to the league. 

 

With our lack of depth up front improvement in our guards is going to be a must they can't be getting beat every time and putting Bryant on the spot. 

[FindEndNow 198]

I think Yogi, JBJ and Troy all got told they needed to improve their defense. Which hopefully helps us out, since they all seem very focused on getting to the league.

With our lack of depth up front improvement in our guards is going to be a must they can't be getting beat every time and putting Bryant on the spot.

Our perimeter defense is the biggest question. Yogi, JBJ, RJ, Nick and Troy were just awful. Certain lineups can help out IMO(like never having Yogi, JBJ and RJ on the floor at the same time). We'll see if the coaching staff is just insane or if they'll actually figure it out and make a change.

[djsalway 4,161]

I think Yogi, JBJ and Troy all got told they needed to improve their defense.  Which hopefully helps us out, since they all seem very focused on getting to the league. 

 

With our lack of depth up front improvement in our guards is going to be a must they can't be getting beat every time and putting Bryant on the spot. 

 

I'm sure they all got told that and I agree completely. I singled out JBJ because there is no doubt that he was the worst guard defender last year. Not to make excuses for Yogi, but he does so much on the offensive end for us (as well as playing 35+ minutes per game) that he does not have to be outstanding on the defensive side of the ball.

[jmsgws 2,181]

From what I saw last year.  There is not a chance in the world that our defense will improve to top 100.  They were not just bad, they were putrid. 

[FindEndNow 198]

I'm sure they all got told that and I agree completely. I singled out JBJ because there is no doubt that he was the worst guard defender last year. Not to make excuses for Yogi, but he does so much on the offensive end for us (as well as playing 35+ minutes per game) that he does not have to be outstanding on the defensive side of the ball.

so we're just going to give Yogi the James Harden and Kyrie Irving excuse? How about do both like a Chris Paul? There is no excuse to be as bad at defense as Yogi was. It's just effort. No one on the team put the effort in that was needed.

[djsalway 4,161]

so we're just going to give Yogi the James Harden and Kyrie Irving excuse? How about do both like a Chris Paul? There is no excuse to be as bad at defense as Yogi was. It's just effort. No one on the team put the effort in that was needed.

 

Have you ever watched Yogi run around screens? He definitely puts effort in, he just was not good last year. Yes, he gets a semi-pass (from me). Let's not act like CP3 puts 110% into every defensive possession.

[FindEndNow 198]

CP3 is arguably the best defensive PG in the NBA. Yogi was one of the worst out of the Power 5 conferences. Yogi was really bad. Everyone was really bad. There are no passes when it was that bad.

[djsalway 4,161]

CP3 is arguably the best defensive PG in the NBA. Yogi was one of the worst out of the Power 5 conferences. Yogi was really bad. Everyone was really bad. There are no passes when it was that bad.

 

CP3 was the 13th best point guard in the NBA this year according to Defensive Real Plus-Minus. So that isn't the best example to use. But sure, everyone was really bad. Yogi's defensive rating was the worst on the team.

[DawgBawls 712]

We still need to hire a assistant coach right? Hopefully he or she has a defensive mind.

Is Mike Ditka available?

[Brass Cannon 24,874]

I'm sure they all got told that and I agree completely. I singled out JBJ because there is no doubt that he was the worst guard defender last year. Not to make excuses for Yogi, but he does so much on the offensive end for us (as well as playing 35+ minutes per game) that he does not have to be outstanding on the defensive side of the ball.

You can give him a pass but if he doesn't improve he's not going to the NBA and we're not going to a final four

[colonel06 1,917]

I think we can with a competent big man in TB. James also knows that he has to get better on the defensive end to make it in the NBA, so I hope he puts in the effort to get better. I think it's possible if everyone buys in and wants to get better.

As Banksy and others have said, we need a defensive minded coach because offensive great players like James B. may "want" to get better but need that D-minded coach to supplement their personal effort. 

[FindEndNow 198]

CP3 was the 13th best point guard in the NBA this year according to Defensive Real Plus-Minus. So that isn't the best example to use. But sure, everyone was really bad. Yogi's defensive rating was the worst on the team.

I'd say 13th isn't too bad in the NBA compared to last on one of the worst defensive teams in the country. This team will need an epic switch on defense for this team to even be a legit B1G title contender and even make a Sweet Sixteen.

[djsalway 4,161]

I'd say 13th isn't too bad in the NBA compared to last on one of the worst defensive teams in the country. This team will need an epic switch on defense for this team to even be a legit B1G title contender and even make a Sweet Sixteen.

 

I agree with you completely in that regard. I honestly believe a defensively competent big man (not Hanner fouling and having no idea what is going on) will help more than we think.

[FindEndNow 198]

I agree with you completely in that regard. I honestly believe a defensively competent big man (not Hanner fouling and having no idea what is going on) will help more than we think.

Except that doesn't help our perimeter defense. If I were Bryant I would have been questioning Crean about the defense because it can put Bryant in such terrible situations. I felt bad for Hanner because he had no help from the perimeter guys.

[biteoftheapple 4,115]

We all agree, we need a much improved defense. Historically final four teams are in the top 15 nationally. We need more effort and dedication from all the players, and a focus from the coaching staff.

[djsalway 4,161]

Except that doesn't help our perimeter defense. If I were Bryant I would have been questioning Crean about the defense because it can put Bryant in such terrible situations. I felt bad for Hanner because he had no help from the perimeter guys.

 

Agree. They need to keep their man in front of them, and I believe we will improve somewhat on the perimeter. We definitely need to stop switching defenses in the middle of possessions, that could help us get more stops.

[BubbleKnuts 569]

Except that doesn't help our perimeter defense. If I were Bryant I would have been questioning Crean about the defense because it can put Bryant in such terrible situations. I felt bad for Hanner because he had no help from the perimeter guys.

That's a big reason why Bryant got interested early. He likes Crean's system.