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Wizards hope to fix pick-and-roll defense after rough night vs. Cavaliers

By Chase Hughes

Wizards hope to fix pick-and-roll defense originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington

In the opening minutes of the Wizards’ game against the Cavaliers on Friday night, Cleveland center Jarrett Allen scored 11 of his team’s 13 points. Four of his five baskets were assisted by Darius Garland and three were on pick-and-rolls executed by them as a duo.

When it was over, the Wizards had suffered a blowout loss, one in which they trailed by 36 points. Allen had 28 points and 13 rebounds, while Garland added 32 points, 10 assists and eight boards.

During that inital stretch, the Cavs found something that worked and just kept going to it, sensing the Wizards were not able to stop them. They set the tone with their pick-and-roll and left the Wizards searching for answers in the wake of one of their worst defeats of the season so far.

“It was a lot of miscommunication. We had some guys thinking we were doing something and some guys thinking we were doing something else,” guard Raul Neto said. “You don’t have that connection that we need on defense that we need to play the pick-and-roll.”

Head coach Wes Unseld Jr. has seen his team’s pick-and-roll defense show cracks in a series of games recently, as their defense has slipped as a whole. Through their first 14 games this season, Washington had the fourth-best defensive rating in the NBA. In the nine games since, they have ranked 25th in the league, with their number for the season overall dropping to 13th.

Their struggles defending the pick-and-rolls have been part of that.

“It’s a vast chunk of the game, whether it’s the initial action or a play after the action breaks down,” Unseld Jr. said. “Teams flow into it. You may guard on average 50-plus pick-and-rolls in one night. So, if we’re not clean in our coverage, our spots, if our communication is slow, it’s going to be problematic.”

The Wizards have shown the ability to guard pick-and-rolls well at times this season. On the year, they still rank third in points-per-possession allowed for pick-and-roll ball-handlers (0.77), per NBA tracking data. They are 17th in defending the roller (1.11).

Before arriving in Washington, Unseld Jr. was the associate head coach for the Denver Nuggets. Last season, they led the NBA in PPP allowed to pick-and-roll handlers (0.84). Technically, the Wizards have been even more efficient so far this season.

Unseld Jr. feels confident the Wizards can get back on track defensively because his players have shown what they are capable of. It also makes it easier to hammer home his principles as he can show them examples on film of their own success from just a few weeks ago.

“I think it just validates what we’re talking about. That’s where you find the consistency. You see that every night. It doesn’t happen all the time, obviously,” he said.

Neto explained how the Cavs offered a unique test when it comes to pick-and-rolls. In addition to Garland at guard, they also have a savvy veteran in Ricky Rubio. And Allen is part of a uniquely large Cavs frontcourt which also features 2021 third overall pick Evan Mobley Jr.

As for what went wrong against them, Neto offered specifics.

“We didn’t press the ball enough. They were playing with a lot of freedom and that gives the ball-handler all the options they want. They can shoot the floater, they can hit the corner, they can hit the roller,” he said.

All of those things will be kept in mind as they move forward. Given their recent shortcomings, teams will certainly try to test them in that regard.

Wes Unseld Jr. on what Wizards need from point guard position

By Chase Hughes
Unseld Jr. on what Wizards need from PG position originally appeared on NBC Sports WashingtonWASHINGTON -- After the Wizards traded Spencer Dinwiddie to the Mavericks at the trade deadline, it became immediately clear the team will have a need at point guard entering this offseason. Team president Tommy Sheppard confirmed the obvious in his post-deadline press conference, that point guard will be a priority in the summer.It's a relatively unfamiliar problem for the franchise, which enjoyed stability at that spot for many years between John Wall and then Russell Westbrook. And it will be interesting to see which way they end up addressing the need, whether it be through the draft, a trade or free agency, and also what type of point guard they seek.Head coach Wes Unseld Jr. was asked about that last part before the Wizards' win over the Lakers on Saturday. He shared a general philosophy about the point guard position that could shed light on their summer plans."I don’t think you need any old-school point guard, but you do need a guy that understands the flow of the game, who can play beyond just getting your offense orchestrated. Get guys set, get them in the right spots. Kind of feel it," Unseld Jr. explained."Who’s got a game going, who needs a shot, who has a match-up advantage? All those details, I don’t know, those aren’t things you can necessarily teach. Guys can get better in those areas, but I think some guys just have that knack and ability, they have a feel."Asked some follow-up questions after Wednesday's practice, Unseld Jr. essentially said the ideal point guard for his offense is someone who can distribute the ball in an effective way, perhaps rather than looking for their own shots. That contrast may already be seen from the Wizards this season, as Dinwiddie was more of a scoring guard and they have essentially replaced him (and Aaron Holiday) in the rotation with Ish Smith and Tomas Satoransky.Particularly since Smith arrived in a trade deadline deal with the Hornets, the Wizards have seen an uptick in offensive efficiency. Before his debut on Feb. 12, they were 22nd in the NBA in offensive rating (108.1), and since they have ranked 13th (114.1). That said, they have also simultaneously taken a step backward defensively, going from 22nd in efficiency (111.7) to 29th (118.2).As for the offense, it's difficult to tell how much Smith and Satoransky deserve credit for that, as it has coincided with a breakthrough for the Wizards in 3-point shooting. Since the deadline, they are second in the league shooting 39.1% from deep after ranking 28th before the deadline at 32.3%. Certainly, though, Smith's speed and ability to dribble into the defense has helped the cause overall. Those elements have had a positive effect on other players, like center Daniel Gafford with whom he has formed a strong pick-and-roll connection. Smith has a tendency to set him up with accurate lob passes around the rim.Smith happens to like playing the role of a traditional, floor general point guard."I tell people all the time. There's a lot of guys masquerading as point guards," Smith said. "There just is because it's a thinking man's job. Sometimes people get frustrated and they [want to score], but look at Chris Paul. He's a throwback point guard and he's got Phoenix rolling,"Smith is under contract with the Wizards next season, though the deal is partially guaranteed. Satoransky and Raul Neto, their current starter at point guard, are both due to be free agents. Some collection of them could return, though likely as back-ups. It seems likely, if not certain, the Wizards will add a starting-caliber point guard this summer.However they find one, what Unseld Jr. said about the position could be kept in mind in the meantime. He seems to want someone who has an excellent feel for setting others up. Bringing some defense to the equation probably wouldn't hurt, either, of course.
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