I really don’t think most of you are evaluating D thoughtfully. Below are the results of each Indiana possession tonight in which Richardson was defending or near the shooter. I watched the replay, hit pause, and took notes. It was obvious that the Pacers were trying to avoid Richardson, leaving whomever he guarded entirely out of most offensive plays. It was equally obvious that the Mavs switched him onto hot shooters, which caused them to quit shooting.
Q1
10:20 guarding Levert, gets screened and Levert gets the assist to Sabonis
9:50 guarding Levert’s missed 3
6:18 steal from Turner
5:55 guarding Brogdon’s missed 3
3:56 nearest zone defender to Brogdon’s made 3 but was screened off
Q2
8:50 comes off McDermott to pick up wide open Turner at the 3 point line, who assists to McDermott for wide open 3
6:08 blocks McDermott on the way up for another 3 attempt
5:50 nearest guy to Lamb as he airballs an open, transition 3
1:35 gets beat by Brogdon to the rim where shot is blocked by Porzingis
Q3
11:44 steals inbounds for fastbreak score
10:50 gives help defense on Levert drive, resulting in miss and grabs rebound
9:06 hounds Brogdon to half court and back to 3 pt line, forcing missed 3, and runs down rebound
4:23 strips ball from McConnell
0:40 helps on Sumner’s drive, resulting in miss
0:10 harasses Lamb into wild missed 3 with shot clock running out
Q4
6:11 gives up 3 to Brogdon*
4:46 contests Turner 3, which misses
* This was his only bad defensive play of the game that resulted in points. There were other errors. But none of them cost points. Not a single one. Just this 3, which he contested, but not closely enough. It was a very good defensive performance. Like the rest of you, I was thoroughly unimpressed with his offense. But if you thought he played anything less than stellar D, you weren’t paying close enough attention.
Q1
10:20 guarding Levert, gets screened and Levert gets the assist to Sabonis
9:50 guarding Levert’s missed 3
6:18 steal from Turner
5:55 guarding Brogdon’s missed 3
3:56 nearest zone defender to Brogdon’s made 3 but was screened off
Q2
8:50 comes off McDermott to pick up wide open Turner at the 3 point line, who assists to McDermott for wide open 3
6:08 blocks McDermott on the way up for another 3 attempt
5:50 nearest guy to Lamb as he airballs an open, transition 3
1:35 gets beat by Brogdon to the rim where shot is blocked by Porzingis
Q3
11:44 steals inbounds for fastbreak score
10:50 gives help defense on Levert drive, resulting in miss and grabs rebound
9:06 hounds Brogdon to half court and back to 3 pt line, forcing missed 3, and runs down rebound
4:23 strips ball from McConnell
0:40 helps on Sumner’s drive, resulting in miss
0:10 harasses Lamb into wild missed 3 with shot clock running out
Q4
6:11 gives up 3 to Brogdon*
4:46 contests Turner 3, which misses
* This was his only bad defensive play of the game that resulted in points. There were other errors. But none of them cost points. Not a single one. Just this 3, which he contested, but not closely enough. It was a very good defensive performance. Like the rest of you, I was thoroughly unimpressed with his offense. But if you thought he played anything less than stellar D, you weren’t paying close enough attention.