Four key coaching moves of the NBA playoffs so far

Wrote about playoff coaching adjustments. Some work, some don’t, and some never happen at all. An excerpt:

Say this for Stotts: at least he tried something. The same cannot be said for Pacers coach Nate McMillan, who saw his defensive strategy ripped to shreds in Game 1, only to roll out the exact same strategy in Game 2.

Let’s start with the brilliant idea to have the likes of Jeff Teague, Kevin Seraphin, C.J. Miles, and Monta Ellis switch onto LeBron James in pick-and-rolls, whether he’s the ball-handler or the screener. How do you think that worked out for the Pacers?

Be honest, you did not expect to see a video of Teague and Seraphin and Miles and Monta stonewalling LeBron in the post and on the drive. Apparently, that’s what McMillan expected, though, because, again, the man doubled down on the same nonsense in Game 2.

What do you know? These guys can’t guard the best player in the world. Shocker. Seriously, this is some amateur hour bullshit from the Pacers. And that’s before we get to how Teague has been absolutely helpless against Kyrie Irving, they haven’t figured out how to stop Kevin Love, and Tristan Thompson has been eating them alive on the boards. If the Cavs defense wasn’t also a dumpster fire, this series would be even more of a blowout than it already is.

Read the full story at VICE Sports.