CourtVision: Roy Hibbert, the Protector (or, Why Blocks Are Dumb)

[FedEx227]

Pacers coach Frank Vogel’s decision to sit Roy Hibbert for the last defensive possession of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals was perhaps the most infamous substitution in NBA playoff history. Immediately after LeBron James’s left-handed layup in overtime ended that amazing game, the hoops Twittersphere began second-guessing Vogel’s late-game tactics; many were quick to criticize his final lineup and that gaping, Hibbert-shaped hole in the restricted area.

http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/63158/courtvision-roy-hibbert-the-protector

[ralaw]

I don't agree with most that Hibbert had to be in the game. I think that if George had not overplayed LeBron it really wouldn't even have been noticed that Hibbert wasn't out there (Vogel has done this before this season), because James would have been forced to take a contest jumper, which is what the defense was set up for. Credit should be given to James for quickly reading George's horrible defense and George should be blamed for letting it happen.

[FedEx227]

Agreed for the most part. It really could've been anyone out there so long as they actually rotated or helped George once LeBron broke past the perimeter. The fact that the floor was that well spread out for the best rim scorer is a pretty bad deal and a bad play by Vogel.

[ralaw]

Agreed for the most part. It really could've been anyone out there so long as they actually rotated or helped George once LeBron broke past the perimeter. The fact that the floor was that well spread out for the best rim scorer is a pretty bad deal and a bad play by Vogel.

As I mentioned before I don't think VOgel thought George - his all NBA defensive All-star would make a blunder like that, so he probably didn't expect it (much like the Indiana defense). James just read the play and made a great play.

[FedEx227]

True. I still think you have to have some help on LeBron. Spo had a good play too, he spread the hell out of the floor and the only way someone could truly help was to completely abandon their defender. In that case, I would have likely moved off of Bosh but I get it. It was a great play by LeBron and Spo and a bad play by George and a pretty bad defensive set for Vogel.

[Kuzzy Powers]

As I mentioned before I don't think VOgel thought George - his all NBA defensive All-star would make a blunder like that, so he probably didn't expect it (much like the Indiana defense). James just read the play and made a great play.

You still need to have help at the rim in that situation, cmon now. George had been doing it all thru the 4th and overtime, he was likely very tired both physically and mentally at that point. No excuse not to have a guy whos made several big defensive play at the rim these playoffs alone not to be in the game and helping in the paint. Shame on Frank Vogel for assuming the worlds best player couldnt find a way to get to the rim on anyone.

[FedEx227]

One of the real issues is that you have to keep LeBron out of the area where he's most deadly. This graph shows it too.



You simply cannot let him get even remotely close to the restricted area. I understand the idea that you THOUGHT George could hang with him but the second the ball touches LeBron's hands you should probably have someone move up to the free throw line or get into the paint to at the very least cause LeBron to take a jumper. If he ends up passing to Chris Bosh, whatever, there's 2.2 seconds. Not a ton of time to drive, dish and get a shot up in the corner if you're Bosh.

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

Look at Indiana's +/- when Hibbert is in and out of the game. Might be the largest discrepancy between a team's success/failure when a player is in vs. when he is out in the league. The swing is like 100 points. Fucking insane.

[Kuzzy Powers]

This is coming from someone whos often called Roy the softest big man in the game, hes still gotta be in the game there. There is no fucking excuse for LeBron to break by Paul George and see Lance Stephenson waiting for him at the rim trying to scramble to help any way he can. Its just awful coaching. Whether LeBron is forced to take a bad jumper or drive to the hole, having Roy in the game is going to help you more than hurt you, regardless of Paul George's defense.

[Warner2BruceTD]

Hibbert has to be in the game.

I'd rather Bosh take some hokey jumper than Lebron take anything. And like Fed said, let's remember, there are 2.2 second left. Not a ton of time for Lebron to dish to Bosh, and then Bosh to make any kind of move.

Young did not rotate at all, but even if he did, he has no prayer of stopping Lebron. I'm planting Hibbert down there.

[ralaw]

I get the idea of having Hibbert planted in the paint, but this discussion is all hindsight. In the situation Indiana was using their quick/switching lineup to combat all of the screens they thought they'd have to deal with. Obviously Hibbert isn't going to be able to stay with anyone leaving someone open. In that situation 99% of the time whoever catches the ball is going to turn and take a jump shot making Hibbert's presence pointless.

George just had the worst defensive moment in his career against the best player in the world. You could even tell by the fact that no help defender came over that the defense was set up to keep everyone in front and force a jumper. I don't agree with the idea that whenever a team is in the situation you have to have your 7-footer protecting the rim.