If you're Brooklyn tonight, what's your counter for Embiid's success against the double? Or how do you tweak the same concept but to avoid these pitfalls?
I think the biggest thing is closing down space before the trap, anticipating Embiid at the elbow and already 2-3 steps closer so the closeouts and reactions aren't as long. They started mixing in coverages later in the game, but I would throw new coverages every 2-3 touches just to keep him guessing as well.
Ah interesting. Makes a lot of sense. Will be fun to watch what happens next in the progression even if tonight's another Embiid Stampede. I was amazed at your last point while watching--how little they did anything *else* to keep him guessing and maybe having to process the coverage for a split second longer to help with their recovery time.
I wasn't laser focused on the game when watching it, but it felt like the timing was a liiiitle better in spurts but I still didn't see much variability in coverage scheme except for a few second half possessions and Embiid just wrecked that solo coverage. Also thought moving the Embiid catch point to the top of the arch occasionally was an interesting wrinkle and opened up his playmaking quite a bit more. There may not BE a way for Brooklyn to defend this!
Inspired by this thread, I went and saw the game live last night. Seems like the Brooklyn counter ended up being after all "beat the living turf out of Embiid and hope he doesn't make it physically or emotionally to Game 4"!
If you're Brooklyn tonight, what's your counter for Embiid's success against the double? Or how do you tweak the same concept but to avoid these pitfalls?
I think the biggest thing is closing down space before the trap, anticipating Embiid at the elbow and already 2-3 steps closer so the closeouts and reactions aren't as long. They started mixing in coverages later in the game, but I would throw new coverages every 2-3 touches just to keep him guessing as well.
Ah interesting. Makes a lot of sense. Will be fun to watch what happens next in the progression even if tonight's another Embiid Stampede. I was amazed at your last point while watching--how little they did anything *else* to keep him guessing and maybe having to process the coverage for a split second longer to help with their recovery time.
Amazing content as always. Thank you!
Thank you! I'm curious as well!
I wasn't laser focused on the game when watching it, but it felt like the timing was a liiiitle better in spurts but I still didn't see much variability in coverage scheme except for a few second half possessions and Embiid just wrecked that solo coverage. Also thought moving the Embiid catch point to the top of the arch occasionally was an interesting wrinkle and opened up his playmaking quite a bit more. There may not BE a way for Brooklyn to defend this!
Good eyes. I think that's the problem. There really is not a great way to defend him, just hope the others struggle to make you pay against it.
Inspired by this thread, I went and saw the game live last night. Seems like the Brooklyn counter ended up being after all "beat the living turf out of Embiid and hope he doesn't make it physically or emotionally to Game 4"!