Dee4Three wrote:Anybody else want to watch the whole video, and make a comment?
Hoping someone else comes onto this thread.
No threes.
The Bulls attempted six in the entire game, three by Jordan. And they always, always break the press in the video by trying to get to the basket on an outlet.
The Celtics almost jack more threes in that video than the Bulls attempted in the entire game. (Walker only one, and it's wide open in the corner, that's a Spurs approved three point attempt Employee #8!)
All those one third of the court passes the Bulls successfully pull off, but then require more passes or dribbles, wouldn't happen, because they'd be within screen/cuts for three point range and that means a shot now days. Especially a team like the Warriors or Rockets or hell, anyone good.
And there's too many bigs who could blitz the middle during the trap, the Bulls never have that player on the court, it's Rodman/Longley/Caffey.
In fact, if you notice, the Bulls have their best success against the trap when they're playing Rodman at center temporarily, even though the Bulls blow every shot or layup that's not Jordan they get them because Rodman can handle and pass. With Kukoc/Jordan/Harper/Rodman they're almost playing a modern multi-position lineup, and it breaks the trap, but the Bulls never want to take a three. Especially since it's the first year back at the longer range and they only have a couple guys with that range in Kerr and Buechler. (Kukoc was still developing it, having played entirely with the shorter line, and erratic.)
It's arguably more of a trap than a real full court press too. Pitino's press at Kentucky and Louisville was usually tight and man-to-man. He couldn't figure out how to do it in the NBA because even in practice the Celtics were breaking it.
The Celtics/Nets video is a back court trap too. The second guy often isn't guarding anyone.
Also a big part of that 16-1 run was Brook Lopez running a play that is best described as "dribble into the defense and immediately pick up your dribble as you let yourself get swarmed then whine for a call."