Atlanta Hawks: Larry Drew ditching switches
L.D. probably wouldn't consider this a 'switchable switch.'
(Checking in from a Miami holiday weekend filled with beaches, BBQ and . . . beverages)
We’ve heard about L.D.’s offensive philosophies but what about D? The short answer to what I know is the No. 1 question: Atlanta’s base defense under Drew will not feature switching on all (or most) screens.
But what he hopes to accomplish goes beyond Xs and Os and lineups. L.D. said he wants to develop a true defensive disposition for a team known more for finesse.
“Playing defense, it can be ugly sometimes,” Drew said. “Sometimes guys don’t like to do the ugly stuff, the dirty work stuff. Good defensive teams, their mindset is to go into games and outwork you. They don’t care how they do it. They do whatever it takes to shut you down. They have that aggressive mentality, where each game they go into it thinking ‘I am going lock in on my guy.’ and that works its way to the rest of the guys. You have to have that team concept and that aggressive mentality.”
A fanatical devotion to shutting down opponents is a trait of all true contenders. Atlanta’s lack of that quality has to rank at least alongside strategy and personnel as a major reason the Hawks have been a middling defensive team.
The Hawks ranked 13th in defensive efficiency last season, 11th in 2008-09 and 13th in ‘07-08. They were 24th in defensive rebounding rate in ‘09-10, 24th in ‘08-09 and 26th in ‘07-08. Atlanta’s rank in opponent true shooting percentage was 19th last season, eighth in ‘08-09 and 18th in ‘07-08. You can keep going down the list of ways to measure defensive performance and lately the Hawks rarely ranked in the top 10, never mind the top 5.
Defense is another area where L.D. is going to have to find a way to get more out of the guys he’s got. Changing their mentality is the obvious place to start. Drew has to galvanize a group that wilted so badly against the Magic. He has to help his players reach the “uncomfortable” effort levels that Al said they didn’t reach last spring.
There are familiar questions about Drew’s roster, too. It’s the same group of defenders (with an asterisk next to Jamal’s name) that couldn’t contain the perimeter. It’s still a power rotation that lacks a menacing 7-footer in the middle. It’s the same group that too often looked to Al and Smoove to go to work on the boards.
Does L.D. think he has the horses to play good, tough, straight-up D?
“I think we have the personnel to do it,” he said. “That’s why I use the term ‘accountability.’”
One way to annoy NBA players is to talk to them about defensive “stoppers.” So many times I’ve heard guys, especially guards and wings, scoff at the notion. There is no such thing, they say, because there are too many good offensive players and the hand-check rules make it nearly impossible to stop those kind of guys straight up.
Point taken, and L.D. said it’s one he recognizes. That’s why he said he there will be times when switching and other help-type schemes will be necessary.
“I think you have to make a decision on how you want to guard certain people,” he said. “Certainly game-by-game, adjustments will be made defensively. But you go into the game with the mindset of guarding your own people. I think we are deep enough we can get that kind of defense out of our guys.”
Drew said he doesn’t want that to go so far with tricking up the D that players use it as a crutch. You could see that happen with the Hawks last season. Players became so reliant on the switches that they tended to relax in anticipation of screens. Why fight through picks to stay with your man when he can be always be passed off to a teammate?
“I know exactly what you mean,” L.D. said. “You are not the first person I’ve heard say that. Different coaches have different philosophies on how they do things.”
The switching defense has its advantages. It can be effective against pick-and-rolls. It helped the Hawks cover up some of their limitations (even if it also could create other problems). But I think there is no question that using switches so liberally blunted Atlanta’s defensive aggressiveness.
Getting away from the switches is a matter of strategy for Drew, whose goal is for the Hawks to make only what he calls the “switchable switches” that don’t leave them in clearly bad matchups But ditching switches also is a matter of mindset.
“We need guys locking in and focusing on what the defense calls for,” Drew said. “We have the tools for it. We have some areas where got to get better at, but I think overall we have the tools to be a good defensive team. That is the challenge I am going to put to the guys.”
– Nothing new on the Jamal front. He still wants either a satisfactory contract extension or a trade but the Hawks still haven’t indicated if he will get either.
– French club Le Havre announced on its Web site that it has completed a buyout of Pape Sy’s contract. The Hawks haven’t received the paperwork and so don’t consider the deal to be official but they are optimistic there will be no snags.
MC
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666 comments Add your comment
doc
September 12th, 2010
1:05 pm
bobby, bobby, bobby, no hate in those words dude just pointing out how you need your own cheering squad. where do you see it? not a woody hater and have often said it and pointed to what he did well bringing up the young squad without them quitting before this past year in the playoffs. that in itself was a huge accomplishment. also think that drew has a lot to prove along with the players to keep up what he got started. where is the hate in that?
it is a new season and though folks, ahem you all, might want to hold to the standard of last season, it cant be used for this season as so many things have changed without us doing anything to step up. last season may have been an anomaly and the perfect storm for oversetting expectations, no injuries and weak opponents lining up for the lottery and free for all in ufa’s, maybe without ASKG doing anything to step up. bobby, doggone, and dragon all, the same with me, my concern is higher. that has been my mark. the others are puppets, as you all are, when you focus below that. no hate my dear friend(s).
drmaryb (*_*)
September 12th, 2010
1:06 pm
Doc
* I typed L.D. w/o the period and the Blackberry inserted that date.
drmaryb (*_*)
September 12th, 2010
1:10 pm
Doc
don’t feed the trolls and animals … You already know that is T.S.
save your breath. IMHO.
doc
September 12th, 2010
1:17 pm
oh, really? i thought he and i could have civil conversations, have in the past. sorry, i didnt realize he would be hating on me, too. shame on me for not noticing it.
drmaryb (*_*)
September 12th, 2010
1:30 pm
Yeah .. MC is missing in action.
All that rubbish will be deleted soon.
Meanwhile, I enjoyed blogging with you about who will step up and lead.
I hope it starts with Drew and ends with Horford.
This team is lacking a Box-Draw Super Star IMHO!
doc
September 12th, 2010
1:57 pm
Enter your comments here
doc
September 12th, 2010
1:57 pm
agree dmb totally
northcyde
September 12th, 2010
3:14 pm
An impressive blogging day by drmaryb on Saturday. I was too busy partying on Beale St in Memphis, then watching my Vols get “quacked” by Oregon, to pay attention to the blog.
People may not like her blogging opinions, but she’s easily the most entertaining blogger on here. Hilarious.
Meanwhile, the Raiders look like a flag football team, the Titans look absolutely scary, and my Bengals are getting pimp slapped by the Patriots. Hope T.O. don’t blow up after just one game.
The Seattle – Atlanta matchup is the equivalent of Jordan’s 1991 Bulls team vs the 1984 Lakers. Even in the WNBA, as in all professional sports, you mostly need elite level talent to win championships.
northcyde
September 12th, 2010
3:25 pm
Storm killing the Dream in transition. Gotta get Angel in the game now, and forget about her foul trouble. Dream have to at least stay in striking distance.
LOL .. and the Titans score AGAIN . . . 37 – 6 over the Raiders.
Grandad
September 12th, 2010
3:37 pm
Co-Sign – doc @ 10:31 am
Rev in Tampa
September 12th, 2010
3:47 pm
Grandad, drmaryb, doc, sautee, Ken Strickland and anyone else who watched the NBA in the mid-1970’s. I was so excited today because Jim Price (2nd team All-American, 1972, Lakers point guard, 1973-1979, All-star in 1975) came to my church today. He is coaching in the Tampa area. Of course I did not know who he was until he was introduced to me. I was born in 1967.
I represented the Hawks. Told him I am a big Hawks fan. He forgave me.
This is the second time he has come to my church but had not gotten to know him until today. If my basketball IQ starts suddenly rising on this blog, you will know that I am able to pick Price’s mind.
northcyde
September 12th, 2010
3:49 pm
Defense and rebounding kept the Dream in this game .. only a 1 point lead for Seattle now. Impressive defensive showing by the Dream with Angel out of the game.
doc
September 12th, 2010
3:53 pm
hmm, a guy who knew lew alcindor before he was kareem, played with jerry west and elgin baylor and crossed paths with walton and finally had a mentor like wooden. your stories should be rich from now on rev. yes, us old folks are mighty impressed and bow to you, i will humbly say for the rest.
diet pape sy
September 12th, 2010
4:00 pm
who is minding the kichen?
why is chickin little back?
he is fowl mouthed.
they are all him.
northcyde
September 12th, 2010
4:24 pm
The Lions just lost a game on one of the worst calls in NFL history. LOL @ the NFL and their rules. Plus they lose Matthew Stafford to a shoulder injury.
Poor Detroit. That city can’t buy a break.
drmaryb (*_*)
September 12th, 2010
4:29 pm
NorthCyde
Yeah all my GA teams got whacked too on Saturday.
Yeah, was trying to blog with Ms. Dee and had to swat some
gnats all day. I just had to do it. Ignored the banished village idiot ..
MC forgot to set the rat trap this weekend.
Just having some fun that’s all
drmaryb (*_*)
September 12th, 2010
4:33 pm
Rev in Tampa
Jim Price eh? How tall is he? That was before my time Basketball – wise.
I started watching in 1986 when I moved to the “A”!
I got on board with Dominique & MJ.
Great Stuff! I hope you will enlighten us as to what Mr. Price’s
thoughts are in re: to The So. Beach Boys and the current
State of the Union Basketball – Wise?
drmaryb (*_*)
September 12th, 2010
4:36 pm
WNBA!
The Dream is Balling! I see Jamal Crawford and Bill Russell
at the Game! I think Jamal is from Seattle, give him credit.
I wonder who he is pulling for?
drmaryb (*_*)
September 12th, 2010
4:40 pm
She Beastie!
That Storm’s Jackson (the red head!) Is a beast!
A lethal weapon! Red-Heads Rule! Gotta’ love them!
Grandad
September 12th, 2010
5:06 pm
Mary Ellen:
“MC forgot to set the rat trap this *weekend*.”
[weekend]! – He’s been gone since August.
drmaryb (*_*)
September 12th, 2010
5:11 pm
G-Daddy!
I know – right?
How are you my friend?
I’ve missed you. Call me when you have some free time.
-wink wink-
drmaryb (*_*)
September 12th, 2010
5:13 pm
Dog Fight!
Atlanta Dream is for real!
Tied @ 77 with 20.4 secs
drmaryb (*_*)
September 12th, 2010
5:14 pm
Storm undefeated at home? We shall see!
drmaryb (*_*)
September 12th, 2010
5:16 pm
Nate Robinson at the game as well. In Seattle
drmaryb (*_*)
September 12th, 2010
5:17 pm
Dream lose by 2 pts.
northcyde
September 12th, 2010
5:29 pm
How the Dream lost that game is going to be the critical issue facing the Hawks this season.
The screen and roll that Seattle ran with Jackson and Bird is a situation in which the person guarding the ball MUST fight through that screen . . . or . . . the big MUST switch onto the person with the ball once the screen is set.
If Drew wants people to be accountable on defense, our PGs MUST fight through those screens. Otherwise, you’ll end up seeing guards getting the type of open 15 foot shot that Bird knocked down . . . or you’ll see the return of the switching defense that most people supposedly hates.
Considering what all the Dream had to overcome today with Angel being in foul trouble, it was a very good effort by them. When that team comes home for Game 3, it would be nice if they had about 13,000 in the building on Thursday night.
Bob Weiss
September 12th, 2010
5:32 pm
Doc, whether Im T.S. Or Undisputed Champ , Dezz Nuttz or which ever moniker I choose to use, You are absolutely correct. You and I have had intelligent conversation. Speaking of intelligent conversation, it is unintelligent to let your opinion of my relationship with you be based on mary’s or grandad’s behavior towards me. Excuse me for thinking you were a man worthy of respect. Let i said before feel free to hate on.
p.s. Bob Weiss is mine as is Dragon Slayer… that is till mary and grandad decide to use the name like they did T.S.
funny thing. runing this name and I just create another…duh.
as for the other two guys you named youll have to let them answer for themselves.
Like many of the bloggers who have complained in just the last three pages about mary. Whats between me and mary is between me and mary.
Hate at will.
Bob Weiss
September 12th, 2010
5:34 pm
*Like I said
Bob Weiss
September 12th, 2010
5:38 pm
Grandad aka butt face. I will speak freely and voice my opinions about horford teague Woody II and Woody I and a dick breath like you cant stop me.
Dezz Nuttz
September 12th, 2010
5:39 pm
Now trap Dezz Nutts Grandad !
Absolutely!
September 12th, 2010
5:41 pm
sic him Dezz
Mad Hatter
September 12th, 2010
5:42 pm
Guys, grandad is not as bad as he smells. Back off him.
Samuel
September 12th, 2010
6:03 pm
Northcyde,
Most of the post game comments made by opposing coaches and players when we won said that the “switching defense” is what distinguished us from other clubs. You can say you’re gonna hold people accountable and all that but what’s gonna happen when Rondo, Rose,Paul, Williams, Collison, Westbrook and many more blow by us, since 90% of the NBA teams run the Pick n roll as their primary offense.
If you don’t help out by switching we’re doomed anyway.
Like I have said many times, all this talk is cheap. We see when the lights come on.
PUPPET MASTER
September 12th, 2010
6:12 pm
This team is pretty much the same team we had last year. I for one am glad. I thought Woodson did an outstanding job and got the most out of this team. Now lets see if firing woodson was a smart decision, especially since he was a top 10 coach 2 years running. The Bar is set at 53 wins and 3 consecutive playoff with 2 of those advances to the second round.
Now will find out if Woodson;s supporters or hater were correct.
jason
September 12th, 2010
6:15 pm
dream lost because they didnt realize that sue bird was a clutch scorer. just like the orlando series where jameer nelson was just dominating teague and bibby.
Absolutely!
September 12th, 2010
6:22 pm
No doubt. Woodson got the most out of this team I dont think we appreciated him for the fine work hes done. Kind of like OBAMA with all that hes accomplished he gets no respect either.
Roll Tide
September 12th, 2010
6:24 pm
I hope you smell better grandad
jason
September 12th, 2010
6:25 pm
Puppet master the reason woody got fired was because he was making up plays that were predictable. “all of you just pass to jamal and joe and we will win”. Please we have alot of talent on the team it was just that woody didnt know that the guy caring his “clipboard”(teague) was one of them. Im not saying that he is the most outstanding point guard in the league, but he sure is faster, stronger, and more of a picky defender than what bibby put out last year. and where did u hear that woody was a the top 10 coach. Haaaa u make me laugh because i know whoever said that didnt see us in the playoffs. Just a reminder that training camp starts in 16 days.
Puppet Master
September 12th, 2010
6:39 pm
You got the part about teague being bigger strong faster than Bibby right. Most youth are. What keeps teague from the game is whats between his ears…nothing! Clueless. A turnover waiting to happen. I a battle of wits between bibby and teague, jeff is an unarmed man. Bibby is still then smartest point quard on the team. Ill take brain over bran at this stage.
I guess you did not see the last two coach of the year poll or you would have notice Woody was solidly on the top 10 list 2 years running, with votes for 1st and 2nd. Who ever said that, (the press) saw how limited our talent was and felt he was doing a good job.
Forgive me for not being excited about training camp. I personally believe we v e taken steps backwards and mad poor decisions when we could have brought our way to the next level and higher.
Mad Hatter
September 12th, 2010
6:40 pm
Me too Grandad. Co-sign Roll Tide.
Dezz Nuttz
September 12th, 2010
6:42 pm
Smell Dezz Nuttz Grandad.
Joe Mama
September 12th, 2010
6:48 pm
Id like to chime in on the woodson vs understudy discussion. Woodson did a great job with no point guard no center and not much of a bench. Actually last season was better than foretasted. and 53 wins is quite an accomplishment. But just be real. no one expected a championship with out a center. Who you kidding? ?
Joe Mama
September 12th, 2010
6:48 pm
forecasted
northcyde
September 12th, 2010
7:01 pm
@ Samuel . . . it’s definitely going to be something to watch, when a team like Utah puts us in the pick and roll involving Deron and Al Jefferson and/or Paul Milsap . . or Chicago with Rose and Boozer.
The one thing I hated about Bibby when he first came to the Hawks, is that he almost refused to fight through a screen, and was indecisive as hell about whether to go over top or under the screen. That’s propably the reason why Woody decided to “hide” Bibby.
The quickest way for Teague to take over at PG, is to show Drew that he’s a much better defensive option than Bibby, that doesn’t need to be “hid”.
Sidenote: LOL @ Michael Vick . . thinking it’s 2003. He didn’t even play this well in his last year in ATL
Joe Mama
September 12th, 2010
8:29 pm
Vick is back lets get a trade send mattie lice to philly and get the big dog (lol) back!
Ken Strickland
September 12th, 2010
8:32 pm
I see you WOODY LOVERS are still mourning the loss of the object of you MAN LOVE. Most of you still appear to be about as delusional and limited as he was. EXAMPLE: The bar for NEW HC LDrew is 53 wins. Sund and the ASG told him and everyone else that the bar for him was his and his teams playoff performance, not regular season performance, or record.
Woodson knew better than anyone he wasn’t a playoff caliber HC, and was totally lost when it came to coaching under playoff conditions. Therefore, he concentrated all of his limited skills on winning as many regular season gms as he could, in spite of the ASG and Sund’s playoff mandate for him. He was fired because the team had passed him by, and won in spite of him. He simply couldn’t adjust or modify any aspect of his approach to coaching, dealing with players, or ability to deal with certain critical situations.
LDrew is intelligent enough to realize his tenure as HC of the Hawks will be predicated on how well he prepares his team for the playoffs, and how well they preform during the playoffs. He’s not stupid enough to limit his rotation and run his players into the ground during the regular season, only to fall apart during the playoffs due to exhaustion and/or a lack of preparation.
No team that wants to build, or rebuild, through the draft, and/or through acquiring younger players, will make the same stupid mistake former GM BKnight made in hiring him, and tried to correct. What GM wants to hire a stubborn, limited, biased HC with a documented history of issues with both of the GM’s he’s worked under as HC?
At first, I wanted us to bring back the same basic roster, which we’ve done, just to see how much of a negative impact Woodson had on the team. But now I don’t feel that way. I really don’t care what Woodson did, because he’s gone and it won’t make any difference. My main concern now is how much new HC LDrew, his coaching staff, and his new OFF/DEF systems will improve this team.
At this point, what MWoodson did or didn’t do will have absolutely no impact on the success of this team. This is LDrew’s team now, and it’s all up to him.
Joe Mama
September 12th, 2010
8:33 pm
Teague is clueless to lead a team and will turn the ball over beyond the imagination. Playing against scrubbs in summer league he continued his folly with a 6 turnover game…. including a big one with the game on the line. Not the type of guy you want to quarter back your team….Its a given that if teague is the quarterback we are not playoff bound, but in lottery hot pursuit. Heck it may already be time to rebuild.
Joe Mama
September 12th, 2010
8:37 pm
Woody part II the sequel !
I would just hate it if we finish 7th or 8th. Id rather finish last and have a better chance at the lottery.
I cant argue with the FACT that Woodson finish higher than projected. Bottom line is he was the best coach we’ve had in a while and certainly in the top 5 hawks coaches….
Joe Mama
September 12th, 2010
9:07 pm
(The Bar is set at 53 wins and 3 consecutive playoff with 2 of those advances to the second round.) – PUPPET MASTER
September 12th, 2010
6:12 pm
Most of you still appear to be about as delusional and limited as he was. EXAMPLE: The bar for NEW HC LDrew is 53 wins. Sund and the ASG told him and everyone else that the bar for him was his and his teams playoff performance, not regular season performance, or record. – (Ken Strickland)
Dont you just hate being taken out of context? Sautee is a master of this… But Ken’s running up his back!
At least wait a week before you misconstrue what I said.
Ken Dont get it twisted. I want both an outstanding 53 win season and three consecutive season in the playoff with 2 of those in the second round…. or better. Anything else is just a lost cause.
Lottery in 2 year baby!
Puppet Master
September 12th, 2010
9:27 pm
Thanks Joe. Its amazing how people take things out of context.