Blazers just gifted Thunder perfect strategy to shut down Stephon Castle

With a 1-1 record in their first-round playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs, the Portland Trail Blazers aren't afraid to take risks.

The Blazers have successfully mucked things up against the Spurs by having center Donovan Clingan defend guard Stephon Castle. It's a strategy that teams have yet to employ against Castle thus far but was perhaps overdue.

After all, other questionable shooters such as Houston Rockets forward Amen Thompson and Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels have seen the same defensive coverage. Ironically, San Antonio has also used that strategy by putting star Victor Wembanyama on players such as Alex Caruso and Christian Braun.

The idea is to help off of a shaky shooter to protect the basket. The Blazers are doing exactly that with Clingan and Castle.

The Blazers are giving the Thunder a blueprint to defend Castle

If the Spurs were to face the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City, then both teams could use this strategy regardless of whether the Blazers shut down Castle or not. Having Nikola Jokic or Chet Holmgren help off Castle allows for them to clog the paint.

It could also keep Castle from blowing past defenders and getting to the rim or the free throw line. They are essentially daring him to shoot. To Castles' credit, he shot 41% from three on 3.3 3-point attempts per game from February 1st until the end of the regular season.

In theory, leaving him open is a bad idea. Even so, the Blazers are banking on him shooting closer to his 32.3% season average.

It worked in Game 2, with Castle missing 14 shots and going just 2-6 from deep. Even when Castle wasn't being guarded by a big, he struggled.

In that case, it would be more than worth it to leave him open, whether it be for the Blazers, Nuggets, or Thunder. Him going 2-6 from three for six points isn't going to sway defenses. Especially if it makes things harder for De'Aaron Fox, Dylan Harper, and of course, Wemby.

The Spurs have an obvious counter to the center-on-Castle strategy

Unlike players such as Braun, Daniels, or Caruso, Castle is a primary ball handler for the Spurs. In fact, he rarely goes a possession with him not touching the ball.

If Castle is being guarded by Clingan and a healthy Wembanyama is being guarded by Toumani Camara or Jerami Grant, then San Antonio could just run pick and roll. In fact, the Silver and Black can get tricky with how they use Castle.

They could have Castle set more screens for Wembanyama. That may force Clingan to switch onto Wembanyama. Or Wemby can set screens and then roll, either forcing Clingan to switch or risk giving up a lob to the 7'4 Frenchman.

Unfortunately, his status for Game 2 is up in the air with him in concussion protocol.

Stephon Castle will determine how teams guard him

In Game 1, Wemby caught three alley-oops, highlighting the clear downside of using a wing to guard him instead of Clingan. Ironically, Wembanyama also hit five threes, which was the main reason why Clingan wasn't guarding him full time given his issues defending away from the rim.

The Spurs could also stand to have Castle attack Clingan one on one. Even if Clingan is sagging off him, Castle has shown he is a capable mid-range shooter. Also, giving him space to attack could make it harder to stop him from getting to the rim.

Ultimately, a lot will ride on how Castle responds. If he shoots anywhere near the level he's shot from outside over the last three months, then having a center guard him wouldn't be the best option. If he regresses, then best believe the Blazers, Nuggets, and Thunder will look to defend him with a center.

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