A concept I like to talk about is *functional* spacing.
When LA played small vs HOU and had 4 out, AD in, HOU packed the paint, disrupted AD, zoned up weak, and recovered well to shooters.
There’s spacing, but it wasn’t *functional* spacing bc the defenders weren’t spaced. https://t.co/HBeQ4yyHjh
— Cranjis McBasketball (@Tim_NBA) September 3, 2020
When LA played small and had 4 out, AD in, HOU packed the paint
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September 2, 2020 2 Comments
The problem is 4-out and AD in the post, Tim, is it’s not the smart way to play small ball vs. Houston. The better strategy is to play 5-out and force the Rockets to defend 5 shooters. That will open up the paint for LeBron and AD to attack the rim with zero rim protection.
Playing big against the Rockets plays into their hands at both ends of the court. You end up trading 2 for 3 on offense. On defense, they’ll play 5-out on every possession and hunt McGee or Howard for wide open threes or easy layups with the defense spread out on the perimeter.