Sunday, October 25, 2026

Okay, "Heat" D was a big problem in the 1H (66-58)

I have watched a lot of basketball in my life, I don't PRETEND to be a savant, I just don't understand the defensive scheme last night in the first half (haven't watched highlights of the 2H yet). I don't know what this defense is called, a matchup zone or whatever, but when we had both Bam and Giannis playing together, they were in a zone on either side of the paint. The entire middle of our half court was open.


Charlotte was always on the perimeter. Whatever the defensive scheme is called Spo wants to funnel opponents into the wall of Bam and Giannis, our defenders play apparently intentional olé defense. That is what the purpose of the scheme seems to be. But the surpassingly odd thing to me is that when Charlotte penetrated, the ball-handler got right to the rim----but neither contested the layup!

Klay, can you jump, or no? Bam, why the fuck are you looking over your left shoulder at # 14 when the shooter is up in the air about to lay the ball in?

Here we go again. This is the typical "Heat" defensive look.


Again, oceans of space in the middle, the Bug with the ball at the top of the arc in full charge mode.

Right to the rim and the Wall is a beaded curtain. Bam is out of position and the other Big, I think that's Giannis, doesn't leave his feet, doesn't even put his hands up to defend.

Same look, Bugs on perimeter, two Bigs, Giannis and, I think Portis, on the edges of the paint, I don't know where the fucking fifth "Heater" is...

...this time Andrew contests, Pelle stands there, and Bam once again doesn't close. Same result, "Hornets" bucket.

There were plenty of other times, as you can imagine, where Charlotte's guys on the perimeter, knowing by this time the funnel strategy or just lack of defensive ability by the "Heat" on the perimeter, just shoot the three. They made plenty of them.

Next, I want to see what if anything the "Heat" did differently in the 2H. 

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