Defense? In my NBA?

by Tydides on Jan 8, 2009 4:04 PM PST Comment 8 comments

Bumped. Something to note for all recruits aspiring be to part of next edition of Ben Ball warriors. GO BRUINS. -N

ESPN's David Thorpe covers the rookies in the NBA, a subject of interest for many Bruin fans as three of our own are included on the list. Recently he went over how they are adjusting to playing defense at the next level:

Guys like Lee, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute and Mario Chalmers remain in their teams' rotations because of what they bring on the defensive side of the ball. And fittingly, if the playoffs were to begin tonight, they'd be the only rookie guards/wings to get rotation minutes in the East.

On Luc:

He's likely the best perimeter defender in this class. But I wonder what he was thinking when he tried to defend Boris Diaw on Saturday, because he certainly never had to guard a player that versatile in his life.

When you are challenged to defend the other team's best offensive player each night, as Mbah a Moute seems destined to be by the Bucks, then you have to be prepared to defend all sorts of talents and sizes. Explosive athletes, terrific shooters, constant movers. And a guy like Diaw, who can back you down, face you up, make his teammates better and generally frustrate the heck out of you.

On KLove:

Heading into a matchup against Mayo and the Grizzlies on Tuesday, Love has put together the best two-game stretch of his young career, scoring 37 points and grabbing 20 boards in the Wolves' back-to-back wins.

It's easy to suggest that Memphis got the better end of the Love-for-Mayo deal, but it's still too early to declare the winner. Mayo will always be the bigger star, but that was assumed from the start. Love's toughness and hoops IQ, plus his size and skills, also give him a chance to anchor winning teams in the future.

On Russell:

Westbrook has not disappointed his coaches on either side of the ball. He notched his third five-steal game of the season on New Year's Eve after scoring 31 points two nights earlier. The Thunder were expecting the steals, but not the points this early in his first season. He's scoring well while still not being a good shooter, a skill that can be improved over time. That bodes well for both Westbrook and the Thunder.

Yes, I know. "They don't play defense in the NBA". Unless you played for Coach Howland. I'll bet these guys still hear CBH yelling in their ears whenever they blow an assignment. Recruits take note: CBH's system works.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of BruinsNation's (BN) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of BN's editors.

2 recs | Comment 8 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

I believe I mentioned this before

but in the NBA you make your real money on your 2nd contract, not your first. While some scouts fall in love with the run and gun guys who get drafted ahead of our Ben Ball Warriors, our guys are better prepared for the league so they end up with the big 2nd contract and making more money in the end. The only advantage to being picked higher is the money, but even if you drop in the draft because you game isn’t flashy, like our guys tend to, you can make it up with being ready for the league like our guys are.

by ryebreadraz on Jan 6, 2009 4:04 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

This is interesting

Remember there was an article on LRMAM in the Daily News just few weeks ago in which LRMAM was talking about how he has been able to expand on his offensive game in the NBA (even though most of his production from what I have heard and seen have been coming up classic LRMAM style: putbacks, playing relentlessly around the rim). Yet here once again LRMAM’s meal ticket got punched because of defense he perfected in Howlandwood.

by Nestor on Jan 6, 2009 7:00 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Only exception

Among the Howland alumni is Jordan Farmar prior to his injury. He did not focus on defense at all and I think that a lot of it had to do with the amount of freedom Phil Jackson gave him on the offensive side. Hopefully he rededicates himself to playing tough-nosed defense.

by UCLA4Life on Jan 6, 2009 7:12 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

In Farmar's Defense

I read in an LA Times aricle a few weeks ago that JF had to unlearn all the fundamentals that he was taught under Howland. Phil Jackson said they didn’t belong in his system. I guess Phil’s “freedom” has a price.

by Gen2Bruin1987 on Jan 9, 2009 9:06 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I missed the story on Mayo's defense

and what a well rounded player Timmeh! coached him to be…

"when you've seen how big the world is, how can you make due with this?"

by silverlakebruin on Jan 7, 2009 9:43 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Well he is in the article

Any discussion of rookies playing D must mention Mayo. He’s not anywhere close to being a good NBA defender yet, but it’s clear he’s going to get there.

So he’s pretty bullish on his potential as a defender. The point though is that our guys already have demonstrated abilities at that end and OJ2 hasn’t. The best he can say is that OJ2 has the tools to be a good defender. Also, if my aunt had balls…

by Tydides on Jan 7, 2009 10:20 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Intangibles-Team Players and Hard Working

The other thing to expect of Howland coached players is their ability to continuously work hard and buy in to a team concept. Coach really brought in some of the hardest working players I’ve seen who commit to improving themselves and their team.

by apbruin on Jan 9, 2009 8:15 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Defense

Love the fact that our guys get into the league and bring this lost form of art with them. Our guys get to the league just knowing how to play the game. Fundamentals are strong, team play is understood and that in your face defense. Wouldn’t surprise me one bit if our guys get a little bump in draft positioning in future years with the success of players molded by CBH. GM’s know what they’ll get somebody that can contribute when they draft a UCLA player.

by BlueReign on Jan 9, 2009 8:24 AM PST reply actions 0 recs