Miami Heat: Omer Yurtseven Trying To Stabilize Along The Learning Curve

Miami Heat: Omer Yurtseven Trying To Stabilize Along The Learning Curve

The challenge was well presented for Yurtseven on Monday and as we begin to dive into the following scenarios, there were flaws in his game that couldn’t have appeared more evident. However, you expect that with a young guy against one of the league’s prominent front-court rotations.

YURTSEVEN MUST FIND PROPER DEFENSIVE POSITIONING WHEN MOVING LATERALLY

The Heat opened this matchup with their usual 2-3 zone defense, a similar scheme that puzzled Milwaukee and Chicago in each of their previous two games. As the Cavaliers had begun to counter in the second quarter, Miami would implement a man-to-man style later in the night.

Similar to their loss on December 1st, the Heat once again had their hands full against a lengthy Cavaliers frontline that has features Jarrett Allen, an emerging All-Star candidate and a player who has ascended the ladder of elite NBA centers.

In this possession, Allen is being tightly guarded by Yursteven, who attempts to deny an entry pass from Darius Garland. Allen receives the pass in the high post, then quickly yields left to glide past Yurtseven for the and one finish.

Neither Kyle Lowry or P.J. Tucker are able to rotate in time as help defenders, allowing the Cavaliers to extend their lead by 14 with just over three minutes remaining in the fourth.

Jarrett might’ve been guilty of too many steps here, but this was a seemingly effortless drive for a player who has converted on 11-18 field goals (61 percent) on such opportunities this year.

Regardless, Yurtseven didn’t expect Allen to drive, for which he has to discipline himself and expect when the offensive player could start their dribble.