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David Adelman: More Than Just Offense
David Adelman, the Denver Nuggets' interim head coach, is proving to be a multifaceted basketball mind. While his reputation as an offensive guru precedes him—he was the Nuggets' offensive coordinator for years under Michael Malone—Adelman is demonstrating a deep understanding of defensive strategies that’s crucial in the high-stakes world of NBA Playoffs.
Adelman's Defensive Prowess
Adelman's defensive expertise isn't a recent development. From his time leading high school programs in Oregon to his years scouting for the NBA, defensive scheming has always been a part of his coaching toolkit. His time working with the Nuggets' offense, he says, has also given him an eight-year education in understanding how opponents defend Denver’s style of play. This dual perspective is now playing out in his current role.
Since taking over as interim coach in April, Adelman's more involved role in shaping Denver's defense has been a standout aspect of their playoff run. He’s facing the challenge of making a team with defensive limitations succeed against top opponents like the Oklahoma City Thunder. And his strategy has been bold.
- Zone Defense Experimentation: In Game 4 against the Thunder, Adelman utilized a zone defense for significantly more possessions than in any previous game this season. This surprised the Thunder, who commented on Denver's flexibility.
- Adapting Jokic's Role: Adelman is strategically deploying Nikola Jokic, utilizing his exceptional court awareness and anticipation. While Jokic’s rim protection isn't his strength, Adelman has adjusted his positioning in different defensive schemes, sometimes dropping him closer to the rim to counter opponents’ three-point attempts. This shows adaptability rather than rigid reliance on a single scheme.
- Calculated Risks: Adelman readily acknowledges the risks associated with zone defenses—vulnerability to three-pointers and offensive rebounds. Yet, he’s willing to take calculated chances to disrupt opponents' rhythm and force less favorable shots.
The zone defense in Game 4 was largely successful until Oklahoma City's role players found their range from beyond the arc late in the game. Still, Denver's overall performance in the series’ games held Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to just 21.5 points per game on 37% shooting.
Depth and Fatigue: A Critical Factor
The Nuggets’ second-round series against the Thunder has highlighted a critical weakness: depth. While Denver’s starting five is undeniably strong, their bench has struggled to consistently contribute. This lack of depth became glaringly apparent in Game 4, where Oklahoma City's deeper bench exploited Denver's fatigue in a crucial fourth-quarter surge.
This issue has been a point of concern for critics like Jalen Rose, who noted the minimal use of Nuggets' bench players as a potential contributing factor to their struggles.
- Jalen Rose's Criticism: Rose criticized Adelman’s reliance on a short rotation, suggesting it’s disrespectful to bench players and potentially hindering the team's overall performance. He stated that only playing six players shows a lack of trust in the rest of the roster.
- Charles Barkley's Perspective: Charles Barkley voiced concerns about Nikola Jokic's workload and the team’s lack of a reliable backup center, adding that this has been a recurring problem for the Nuggets.
Adelman acknowledged the depth issue, stating that he needs to find ways to get more contributions from more players, particularly when fatigue sets in. He recognized that while the starting five is exceptional, finding ways to keep them fresh late in games is crucial.
Conclusion
David Adelman's coaching tenure with the Nuggets is a work in progress. His defensive strategies showcase innovative thinking and willingness to adapt, but concerns about bench depth remain. The Nuggets' success in the playoffs will likely hinge on Adelman's ability to find solutions to this critical issue while continuing to showcase his multifaceted coaching skills.
