I seem to to be a minority of one, as far as Casey's defence is concerned. The only true plus defender we had last year was Amir and somehow the team ended up ranking 10th in the league. The scheme covered up a lot of deficiencies,
As Zach Lowe pointed out, teams have found ways to exploit it, but that doesn't mean any other scheme would work better. Thibs famed ICE has struggled this year because his perimeter defenders have struggled.
Now MU did add one plus perimeter defender in JJ who for reasons that can be debated forever, has been massively underutilized thus far. But he also added a negative defender in LouWill, to go along with negative defenders GV and TR. Lowry's D suffered as he took on more of an offensive load and DD isn't a minus, but not really a plus either due to his lack of lateral quickness..
Casey's system may be hard to master, but not impossible - TH in his second year here still looks awful on offence, but seems to have gotten the defensive scheme because he's looked far better on D this year than last. Amir, even with his ankle issues, and PPat are mobile enough to work the system. JV may be the square peg, but he's becoming a damn good square peg rim protector.
And as we say, it's the playoffs that matter. If the defence is clicking by the time the playoffs roll around, we may be pleasantly surprised. If not, well I'm sure MU has a list of coaching replacements that he won't hesitate long to use,
As Zach Lowe pointed out, teams have found ways to exploit it, but that doesn't mean any other scheme would work better. Thibs famed ICE has struggled this year because his perimeter defenders have struggled.
Now MU did add one plus perimeter defender in JJ who for reasons that can be debated forever, has been massively underutilized thus far. But he also added a negative defender in LouWill, to go along with negative defenders GV and TR. Lowry's D suffered as he took on more of an offensive load and DD isn't a minus, but not really a plus either due to his lack of lateral quickness..
Casey's system may be hard to master, but not impossible - TH in his second year here still looks awful on offence, but seems to have gotten the defensive scheme because he's looked far better on D this year than last. Amir, even with his ankle issues, and PPat are mobile enough to work the system. JV may be the square peg, but he's becoming a damn good square peg rim protector.
And as we say, it's the playoffs that matter. If the defence is clicking by the time the playoffs roll around, we may be pleasantly surprised. If not, well I'm sure MU has a list of coaching replacements that he won't hesitate long to use,
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