NBA teams are deploying full-court pressure defense at unprecedented levels this season, pressing on 4.8% of possessions through the first week. The dramatic increase nearly quintuples the 1% rate from a decade ago and nearly doubles the 2.5% from two seasons ago, according to Yahoo Sports.
The trend follows the aggressive defensive approach utilized by the Indiana Pacers during their NBA Finals run against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder responded by pressing the Pacers at higher rates than usual, prompting teams league-wide to adopt similar tactics.
The Portland Trail Blazers lead the NBA with a 24.5% press rate and an 81.7 defensive rating on those possessions. The Blazers frequently swarm ball-handlers immediately after made baskets, forcing turnovers and rushed offensive sets.
The Blazers, Boston Celtics, Toronto Raptors and Pacers are the only teams pressing on over 10% of defensive possessions. These rosters feature either defensive-oriented veterans or young, cost-effective players seeking to establish themselves.
The strategy doesn’t require elite talent or significant spending, making it accessible across different roster constructions. Teams are compensating for the physical demands by implementing quicker substitutions and deeper rotation patterns. Portland has utilized platoon-style substitutions, swapping four or five players simultaneously.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have also increased their press frequency from 2.5 plays per game last season to 7.8 times per game. The Cavaliers often use the tactic to steer the ball away from primary creators rather than solely forcing turnovers.
Full-court pressure steals six-to-eight seconds off the shot clock, forcing opponents into late-clock offensive sets. The approach also disrupts rhythm and wears down explosive shot creators physically and mentally.
Daryl Morey predicted increased full-court pressure in 2016, though the trend took seven years to materialize. The Finals runs by Indiana and Oklahoma City demonstrated the tactic’s effectiveness at the highest level.
