Rubio Defense

I am already taking a step away from EOGs. I want to take a look at this clip of Ricky Rubio vs Steph Curry. It is a very short clip but gives an example of what many players and teams try to do for a 1-on-1 situation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wj4ChKBpbnU

Several things to take away from this:

1. The transition defense. The Jazz are one of the better teams at transition defense. They get with energy and focus. Rubio starts to get back on the shot and hustles to find Curry. Rubio manages to get in front.

2. Once in Rubio is in front of Curry, he stays in front and is locked in. We all know how fast Curry is and Rubio does a good job of containing.

3. Watch the ball screen again and you will see Rubio does a great job of getting around the screen and not allowing Curry to turn the corner. Rubio's ability to ICE/BLUE (whatever term you prefer here) the screen is incredible. He recognizes the screen is coming and reacts in a timely manner to prevent an easy attack on the basket.

4. Once the ball screen has failed. Rubio continues to pester Curry and comes up with a deflection that makes Curry react in haste to keep the ball.

5. Curry saves the possession and passes to Green and then on Green's lob, Donovan Mitchell disrupts the play. Great defense by the Jazz in this entire possession.

This is only one possession near the end of a close game. This is the type of defense teams are looking for most of the game but it is hard to come by. Rubio exemplifies good 1-on-1 defense and isn't deterred by a ball screen (especially one coming from Green).