StudentoftheGameNBA

Modern defenses are built around containing dribble penetration. The best defenses utilize specific schemes combined with elite ball defenders to block off ball handlers from reaching the paint.

The Bucks ran a lineup with Dame, Cam Payne, and Malik Beasley. They had Beasley guarding Trae. Brook and Giannis will not be enough to cover so many defensive liabilities.

Bucks walk away from this game with a lot to figure out regarding their rosters defensive limitations. They didn’t just lose two great ball defenders in Jrue and Carter, they also added two real liabilities in Dame and Payne. Middleton and Beauchamp give them size on the wing but I don’t see a single guy on this roster that’s frustrating opposing ball handlers.

Second only to Boston. Denver has size at every position, even Reggie has a 7’ wingspan, and every key player was with them last year.

Their weak spot in their starting lineup is Jokic but he’s huge, with good feet and hands, and he’s the best defensive rebounder in the league. Moreover, their entire defensive scheme is built around protecting him.

But now that Braun has a year under his belt he’s looking like a real positive defender. And Watson has improved enough offensively that he can play and he has elite defensive potential. Add in Zeke’s activity level and the Nuggets look to be building on the defensive momentum of last playoffs. Just now they are longer, younger, and play with more energy.