Earlier this season it was suggested that maybe a lack of practice time hindered the young team from cleaning up defensive issues.

(Lawrence) Frank scoffed at that notion.

“Nah, nah . . . we just got to put more into it,” Frank said. “It’s two point guards on back-to-back nights.”

Frank went on to explain what the team is trying to do. It’s more than just asking Brandon Knight and Will Bynum to get back and stop opposing point guards since many are too fast and too quick to be stopped one-on-one anyway. Everyone needs to get back so a crowded paint can decrease driving lanes.

Early in the second half when (Jeff) Teague was streaking up the sideline, Frank yelled at Knight and Greg Monroe to “load” toward Teague, which means basically for the two to aggressively shade toward the ball handler to prevent penetration.

They actually did a good job stopping Teague on that possession.

“It falls on a lot of different shoulders, but we have to be better,” Frank said. “That’s the foundation of what we do.

“Every single day what we’re about is getting back and getting our defense set.”

via Vincent Ellis of The Detroit Free Press