NBA teams are deploying full-court pressure defense at unprecedented levels this season, pressuring 4.8% of possessions through the first week. The dramatic increase nearly quintuples the 1% from a decade ago and nearly doubles the 2.5% from two seasons ago, according to Yahoo Sports.
The trend follows the Indiana Pacers’ aggressive defensive approach during their NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder responded by pressuring the Pacers faster than usual, prompting teams around the league to employ similar tactics.
The Portland Trail Blazers lead the NBA with a press percentage of 24.5% and a defensive rating of 81.7 on those possessions. The Blazers often swarm ballhandlers immediately after making baskets, forcing turnovers and rushing offensive sets.
The Blazers, Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors and Pacers are the only teams to own more than 10% of their defensive possessions. These rosters feature defensively oriented veterans or young, cost-effective players looking to establish themselves.
The strategy does not require top talent or significant expenditure, making it accessible through a variety of roster structures. Teams compensate for the physical demands by implementing faster substitutions and deeper rotation patterns. Portland has used platoon-style substitutions, where four or five players are substituted at a time.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have also increased their press rate from 2.5 times per game last season to 7.8 times per game. The Cavaliers often use this tactic to move the ball away from the primary creators, rather than just forcing turnovers.
Full-court pressure steals six to eight seconds off the shot clock, forcing opponents into late offensive sets. The approach also disrupts the rhythm and physically and mentally weakens explosive shot makers.
Daryl Morey predicted greater pressure from the full court in 2016, although it took seven years for this trend to materialize. The Indiana and Oklahoma City finals demonstrated the effectiveness of the tactic at the highest level.
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