Defense back in the game
Pelicans forward Herbert Jones learned a long time ago the critical component to being an elite defensive stopper was keeping whoever you’re guarding in front of you.
It’s that simple. It’s that difficult, too.
“You do the best you can,” Jones said.
Contrary to popular belief, there HAS been some defense played in the NBA this season (it’s just been tougher). It’s been on display more following the All-Star break and on the heels of that record-setting 211-186 All-Star Game when all signs of guarding anyone vanished.
The numbers post-break speak volumes about the commitment to defense: Entering Monday, NBA teams were averaging around four points per game less than they were before mid-February, dropping from 115.5 to 111.3.
NBA coaches and players have various explanations for that. Maybe defenders are being allowed to get away with more by officials, becoming wise to the tricks of the elite scorers. Or maybe it’s because the NBA playoff race is tightening up down the stretch.
It’s probably as simple as this: Fewer fouls are being called on each team (down from 19.4 per game to 17.5 post-break) and fewer free throws are being attempted (22.7 down to 19.8). Fewer free throws, fewer points.
The NBA says it did not mandate fewer fouls being called.
“We haven’t gotten a memo about it,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “That could be the case. Good. If the competitors and teams can figure it out between those four lines, we’re all for it.”
Spoelstra thinks it could be as simple as teams just locking in at an important time of year. Michael Malone, coach of the reigning champion Nuggets, can see that.
“I just think our guys are more disciplined from a personal and game-plan standpoint. I think we’re a lot more urgent,” Malone said.
As for Jones, he said it just depends on the night.
“You really never know how things may go, and I think that’s what the first quarter is about,” Jones explained. “You’re just trying to figure out the flow of the game. I mean, try to be physical coming out to see if you can get away with things. But at the end of the day, whatever the refs call, it’s their call and you’ve got to deal with it.”
At the start of the season, defense took a backseat as high-scoring games became the norm. There have been 15 instances in which a player scored 50 or more points.
But none have occurred since the break.
Earlier this season, when scorers were posting gaudy numbers, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was asked if he would lobby for rule changes in an effort to return to old-school defensive games.
He scoffed.
“No, because that would be a waste of time,” Popovich said. “The league has decided how they want this to be played, and we’ve been doing it for quite a while now and it’s not going in the other direction because the fans love it.”