Lot of "counters" in this game. The counters are also seen throughout the year, and why most teams stopped doing this defense in January. Off the top of my head, I remember Just shed Temple out high with a pick. This is very simple way to either get rid of the ICE defender or get Harden on the left side. LAC then has to trap to stay effective, and that's a different defense at that point, and we know all the counters to trapping out high -- very risky defense Thru series plays Harden simply doesn't have a problem getting off the 3 against shorter opponents, despite ICE. This points to MIL's length is more issue than strategy. Yet, Harden shot 6-16 on 3s in January when Bucks first revealed ICE the ISO defense.
Throughout the 2nd half Beard was having great success as sort of a surrogate entry pass; by the half-court hashmark he had peeled off Rubio / other defender and had either gone with the floater (a little spotty tonight) or had a guy behind the line to feed to. At least for this game, I think we saw the Rocks doing exactly what they needed to do when the half court defensive set is picketed at the arc. Silently praying for continued coaching wins... these players will do the rest.
