Back in the system that he’s comfortable with, Brook Lopez looked like a Defensive Player of the Year candidate again Friday night, writes Eric Nehm of The Athletic. Protecting the rim in drop coverage, Lopez blocked eight shots as the Bucks held off the Knicks in their first in-season tournament game.
Lopez finished second in DPOY voting last season as he and Giannis Antetokounmpo presented huge obstacles for anyone trying to finish around the basket. However, new Milwaukee coach Adrian Griffin made a controversial change to the defense that called on players to cover more of the court in an effort to force turnovers.
In the wake of a slow start, Griffin met with some of his veteran players after Thursday’s practice and an agreement was reached to go back to the team’s traditional defensive scheme.
“Sometimes as coaches, we’re too smart for our own selves,” Griffin said, “and so a couple players came to me — I won’t disclose (them) — but they wanted Brook deeper in the drop and I was smart enough to listen to ‘em and it paid off tonight.”
There’s more from the Central Division:
- Jaden Ivey needs to get better at the “non-negotiables” to increase his playing time, James L. Edwards III of the Athletic states in a mailbag column. Ivey is averaging 20.7 minutes per night in his first six games under new Pistons coach Monty Williams, which is about 10 minutes per game less than he saw as a rookie. Edwards explains that Williams is reluctant to play anyone who turns the ball over frequently, fouls opponents outside the paint, and messes up defensive assignments.
- Zach LaVine‘s refusal to take responsibility for two defensive mistakes late in Friday’s loss to Brooklyn represents a huge problem for the Bulls, contends Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic. Mayberry argues that the team needs its leader to be accountable, but LaVine told reporters he felt like he made the right decision when he went for unsuccessful steal attempts that resulted in baskets.
- The Cavaliers fell to 2-4 with Friday’s loss at Indiana, but they were encouraged by the return from injuries by center Jarrett Allen and point guard Darius Garland, according to Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com (subscription required). It marked the first game of the season for Allen, who has been sidelined with a bruised ankle bone.
Lopez fouled on Hart not called ?????
link to dailyknicks.com
I won’t be shocked if Griffin is a one and done coach in MKE. He was hired because Giannis wanted him but if he can’t coach I think even Giannis will say move on from him.
If the players are convincing him to change his methods 4 games into the season, why would they turn on him after only 1 year?
I like that he admitted a mistake in trying to change what Lopez does so well, but im also concerned it will snowball and he ends up a puppet. But I don’t see Giannis or the GM or ownership dumping him after 1 year. They kept Bud around even though BEFORE they won it all he had major flaws. And who do they turn to next..? Most likely another Giannis guy.
Sometimes coaches do dumb things like taking DPOY candidate rim protectors and having them chase guards on the perimeter. What’s next full court pressing? Not impressed by griffin so far. Better start putting up W’s consistently.
Get a grip would you.
Please forgive former NBA player Griffen. In his day extending the defense, full court pressing, setting traps in the backcourt and very surprisingly, throwing the ball out to the short guy standing behind the 3 point line was COMMON and a lot more.