In recent days, the zone defense of Riders caused damage. Already to explode the Wolves, then to destabilize the Suns without response, and finally to score a 19-0 in the last quarter against the Rockets. Even though Houston ended up winning, this passage was a highlight for the Ohio team.
“They were stuck at four points for a long time. We made them think, by preventing Fred VanVleet and Jalen Green from having the ball, we stole balls”, Kenny Atkinson list. “I believe in the zone, I believe in it during matches and in the last quarter. Our guys executed it very well and we will continue. »
Cleveland is also the team that uses zone defense the most this season, behind Miami (which has loved it for several years) and Philadelphia. This is where the contribution of Max Strus, formerly of the Heat, is valuable in helping his teammates better assimilate these patterns.
“We adopted this defense to do it our way”says Donovan Mitchell. “The zone is only as good as the players who play it. If we are not active, it will not be good, no matter who is on the floor. You have to be aggressive. »
One more weapon for the playoffs
As the guard, starting in the next All-Star Game, points out, he and his teammates have confidence in this defense because “there are times when we decide to do it even before the coach says so”.
As it is positive, why deprive yourself of it? “It’s worked from the start and it will get better as the matches go on,” replies Jarrett Allen. “I think it will be a weapon of our defense to come out from time to time. We will try to do it perfectly. »
With player activity and stolen balls, plus the fact that it derails an offense that is unprepared for that – like the Suns – or that has to make choices and give the ball to players who are no longer in their zone. comfort, this defense is perfect for the Cavaliers, in order to drive the point home or reverse situations. There are less than three months left to perfect it further, before the playoffs.
“The only way to improve is to keep working on it. We don't have time to train so we have to do it and find solutions during matches. You have to stick to it,” insists the Cavaliers All-Star. “There will be matches where we will not be able to stop our opponents, who will be hot. Some times it's individual defense that will work, other times it will be the box or zone. When the playoffs come, we will need several defenses. »
