The Cavaliers Are Ruthlessly Hunting Jalen Brunson – The Ringer
April 21, 2023
The Cavaliers Are Ruthlessly Hunting Jalen Brunson – The Ringer
5 comments
He’s not a big help on D but I don’t care.
“In 2020-21, Brunson guarded 2.1 picks per game as the screener’s defender. In 2021-22 and 2022-23, he was at 2.7. During last year’s postseason run, that number almost doubled to 5.3. But in the first two games of this series, Cleveland has targeted Brunson a whopping 22 times, a huge number that would be even higher if not for his foul trouble in Game 1 and the lopsided drubbing in Game 2. The only other instance all season in which Brunson’s man set more ball screens came on December 3, when the Knicks were blown out by the Mavericks—a team that’s well aware of his weaknesses.”
“The result of these small-small pick-and-rolls is a blinking red light inside Tom Thibodeau’s nervous system. Cleveland is ripping his defense to shreds, generating 1.57 points per possession when Brunson is called into the action, which is second worst among all players who’ve defended the screener on at least 20 plays. (Bobby Portis is worse.)”
I mean it’s a common defensive strategy throughout the league right? If your best offensive player is an average to below average defender, you make them work on the defensive end. The fact that Garland and Mitchell can both create off the dribble makes this extra tough on Brunson. Feel like the Knicks need to be a bit more creative on giving Cavs guards different looks on defense (traps, soft doubles, doubling closer to half court, etc)
It worked because Bickerstaff got lucky with Okoro getting 2 quick fouls and Levert playing well.
I think the article kinda buries the most important part at the end, which is that the Knicks have had to play Brunson without IQ to either cover his mistakes on his defensive end, or IQ playing super tight D on the second unit to limit Brunson’s defensive issues hurting us down the stretch. Knicks really have to find a way to get Quick going on the offensive end so he can be effective on both ends.
5 comments
He’s not a big help on D but I don’t care.
“In 2020-21, Brunson guarded 2.1 picks per game as the screener’s defender. In 2021-22 and 2022-23, he was at 2.7. During last year’s postseason run, that number almost doubled to 5.3. But in the first two games of this series, Cleveland has targeted Brunson a whopping 22 times, a huge number that would be even higher if not for his foul trouble in Game 1 and the lopsided drubbing in Game 2. The only other instance all season in which Brunson’s man set more ball screens came on December 3, when the Knicks were blown out by the Mavericks—a team that’s well aware of his weaknesses.”
“The result of these small-small pick-and-rolls is a blinking red light inside Tom Thibodeau’s nervous system. Cleveland is ripping his defense to shreds, generating 1.57 points per possession when Brunson is called into the action, which is second worst among all players who’ve defended the screener on at least 20 plays. (Bobby Portis is worse.)”
https://www.theringer.com/2023/4/21/23691732/jalen-brunson-knicks-cavaliers
I mean it’s a common defensive strategy throughout the league right? If your best offensive player is an average to below average defender, you make them work on the defensive end. The fact that Garland and Mitchell can both create off the dribble makes this extra tough on Brunson. Feel like the Knicks need to be a bit more creative on giving Cavs guards different looks on defense (traps, soft doubles, doubling closer to half court, etc)
It worked because Bickerstaff got lucky with Okoro getting 2 quick fouls and Levert playing well.
I think the article kinda buries the most important part at the end, which is that the Knicks have had to play Brunson without IQ to either cover his mistakes on his defensive end, or IQ playing super tight D on the second unit to limit Brunson’s defensive issues hurting us down the stretch. Knicks really have to find a way to get Quick going on the offensive end so he can be effective on both ends.