The Boston Celtics, under coach Rick Pitino in the 1997-98 NBA season, used an aggressive full-court press defense to create turnovers and dictate the pace. This approach was unusual in the league at that time and drew attention due to its unique strategy.
While the press led to some success, it also faced limitations. The team’s defensive strategy relied on pressing to create turnovers and disrupt opponents’ plays. However, this style was demanding and posed the risk of giving opponents easy scoring opportunities. Despite Pitino’s efforts, the full-court press didn’t yield consistent results. Pitino’s tenure with the Celtics was marked by controversial decisions, player conflicts, and an inability to achieve success.
The full-court press, though innovative and attention-grabbing, wasn’t a solution for the team’s defensive struggles.
To hear how Pitino’s pet defense would be one of many issues plaguing his tenure in Boston, take a look at the clip embedded above.
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