Opponents Zoning In

by Jeff Clark on Jan 21, 2008 7:24 PM EST in Boston Celtics News & Links

I missed this article yesterday by Scott Souza. It is an excellent take on how some other teams are trying to match up with the Celtics. One main tactic has been using the zone, which worked for the Wizards. Doc and the players are not too worried though.

"The second game against them we went 2-for-17 in wide-open shots," said Celtics coach Doc Rivers. "So I'm not worried. We have gotten great shots against it. We just didn't hit them."
The Celtics' problem against the zone was likely more how they attacked it - specifically how they did not attack it - than the defense's potential for long-term effectiveness.
"I think the times the zone worked were against Washington and it was when we weren't moving the basketball," said Eddie House, who helped carry the load at point guard in the two games with Rajon Rondo (back, hamstring) mostly sidelined. "The ball was staying on one side of the floor. We were just throwing it to one side and it was staying there. We weren't swinging the ball, we weren't setting picks, we weren't throwing it in the post.
"We weren't playing basketball the way we usually play. That's what the zone wants you to do - take quick shots, keep it on one side of the floor and not make them work."
Rivers seemed to welcome opponents testing the zone going forward.
"Teams that have zoned us have basically gotten out of them pretty quickly," he said of its overall effectiveness for the season. "Washington at home (last Saturday) stayed in it longer than any team this year.
"We prefer for teams to play zone because we not only get post, we get our shooters wide-open shots. Portland just stopped it (in Boston's 100-90 victory on Wednesday). After Tony Allen made one 3-pointer, they never ran it again."

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Well, Rivers is going to get his wish, because this team has no idea how to attack a zone. Their basic offense against zones is to jack treys. If Ray Allen is cold, they’ll lose.

by Brickowski on Jan 21, 2008 9:34 PM EST reply actions

You listened to Celtics Stuff Live this afternoon huh Jeff ;)

Yeah, I really liked this summary as well and mentioned it a couple time last night. Scott also talked about Ray Allen and the pick and roll as teams jump out on Ray Ray. That’s a major problem when you are the only guy on the team that runs the play, especially when you are up against the zone, and not to mention that Ray likes to have the ball in his hands to get his game going and has had to adjust to 6-8 less shots per game…

by Jughead on Jan 21, 2008 9:36 PM EST reply actions

i remember doc saying after one of the wash. games that it wasn’t a zone-hah, tom t must have convinced him it was a zone. wash is a tough defensive team and so is detroit. the d will get amped up in the playoffs, so get ready c’s. brick, i think kg will get more aggressive going to the basket in the playoffs and help break the zone.

by nazzbo on Jan 21, 2008 9:57 PM EST reply actions

KG needs to flash right into the middle of the zone: in the paint about 10 feet from the basket. Then he can shoot a turnaround or pass to the open man wehn the defense collapses on him. Or, they need to run a forward along the basline to overload the zone on one side, and then swing the ball to that side. You won’t beat a zone by trying to dribble through it, by jacking shots from long range or with ISOs. That’s what the defense wants you do do.

Of course the very best way to attack a zone is to beat it down the floor.

by Brickowski on Jan 22, 2008 12:16 AM EST reply actions

Brick is right. The way to beat a zone is to flash to the high post (free throw line extended) or/and flash a guy 8-10 feet from the basket on the baseline. Overload one side and pass it to one of the two flash guys then send the top guy streaking towards the hoop. keep the players moving until the zone develops a hole. You cant settle for 3’s, even if they are open…you have to attack first, then shoot the 3 if that is all you can get at the end of the clock.

by IowaGuy on Jan 22, 2008 8:50 AM EST reply actions

You listened to Celtics Stuff Live this afternoon huh Jeff

Yup. I keep forgetting to check the MetroWest site for articles but they have no dedicated Celtics feed, so I can’t put it in my RSS reader. Souza needs more web support!

by Jeff Clark on Jan 22, 2008 9:32 AM EST reply actions