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Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle has observed that more teams are employing a zone defense in the 2019-20 season. In previous years, the zone defense hasn't been effective, but teams have found a way to utilize it well recently.
The zone defense is a scheme that guards a certain area and not a specific player. This type of defense works effectively in the amateur ranks since players are forced to jack up outside shots instead of driving to the hoop for the higher-percentage shot.
In the NBA, given the unlimited range players have nowadays, playing zone has been tagged as ineffective. But from Carlisle's perspective, teams have used it for a different purpose.
“There’s definitely more use of zone this season,” said Mavs coach Coach Rick Carlisle, per Marc Stein of the New York Times. “Offenses are getting so good that if you can come up with some kind of defense that can upset rhythm a little bit, it’s viewed as a positive thing.”
“It’s been very cyclical in the last eight or nine years,” Carlisle said. “But the teams that are using it are using it with effectiveness. And you have to prepare for it. If you’re not prepared for it, you’re going to be up against it.”
Data gathered by Fan Sided from Synergy Sports reveal that the Brooklyn Nets and the Miami Heat have used the zone defense more than any other NBA team in the 2018-19 season. It is noticeable how the zone defenses have affected the opposing team's field goal percentage by a significant margin.
Data also reveal that the number of zone possessions has ballooned from 2016 to 2019.
As Rick Carlisle said, teams should know how to break the zone because more teams are going to include it in their defensive arsenal.
