03-01-2021, 10:57 AM
https://theathletic.com/2390175/2021/03/...ricks-nba/
The recent concerns about Porzingis’ defense mostly focus on his mobility. The lanky center has never been at his best defending on the perimeter, but his lateral quickness this season has seemed to prevent him from reaching shots he used to swat. It’s concerning for a player who recently underwent his second knee surgery — but it’s also not inconceivable it could be explained by the season’s all-around unfortunate circumstances.
One reason for those struggles is an inconsistent defensive stance. It sounds simple, and it is — the first few times. But a player receiving heavy minutes will sink into this defensive position dozens of times per game, which requires mental concentration and, more importantly, physical conditioning. It’s been described as something akin to the common “wall sit” exercise, which quickly exerts the quadriceps and other leg muscles even for someone in good shape.
“It is very challenging (to be in that stance repeatedly),” Carlisle says. “Particularly when you’re 7’3 and you have all this angularity going with your body type.”
The recent concerns about Porzingis’ defense mostly focus on his mobility. The lanky center has never been at his best defending on the perimeter, but his lateral quickness this season has seemed to prevent him from reaching shots he used to swat. It’s concerning for a player who recently underwent his second knee surgery — but it’s also not inconceivable it could be explained by the season’s all-around unfortunate circumstances.
One reason for those struggles is an inconsistent defensive stance. It sounds simple, and it is — the first few times. But a player receiving heavy minutes will sink into this defensive position dozens of times per game, which requires mental concentration and, more importantly, physical conditioning. It’s been described as something akin to the common “wall sit” exercise, which quickly exerts the quadriceps and other leg muscles even for someone in good shape.
“It is very challenging (to be in that stance repeatedly),” Carlisle says. “Particularly when you’re 7’3 and you have all this angularity going with your body type.”