Breaking down the breakdowns: New Orleans Pelicans help defense

The problems don’t just end there though. On this play some great ball movement from the Blazers allowed the Blazers to get the ball right in front of the rim. Luckily for the Pelicans, Anthony Davis has rotated over to contest the shot from CJ McCollum. Unfortunately for the Pelicans, Tyreke Evans has decided to just watch the play.

With Evans not making his proper rotation down onto LaMarcus Aldridge, it allows the Blazers to get another easy basket. If Evans had made the rotation down to take away Alridge it would have forced McCollum to try to finish over the length of Davis or throw a tough pass to Lillard on the opposite wing. Instead it leads to this.

It goes beyond the obvious dunk as well. Even if the initial shot had been thrown up over Davis, Aldridge was in prime position for an uncontested offensive rebound and put back. If Evans makes the right play, and one that is simple to make, the Pelicans could have come up with a stop.

Next: Helping inside