Melo, Joseph ready to play man-to-man in the NBA

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Syracuse basketball employs perhaps the most well-known zone defense in all of college basketball. Unfortunately for the Orangemen who make their way to the NBA, the 2-3 zone (the way they're used to playing it, at least) is non-existent.

For Celtics rookie Fab Melo and Kris Joseph, they know they'll have to get used to the more typical man-to-man defenses used in the NBA.

"Our zone (at Syracuse) had man-to-man principles, but I definitely played man in my lifetime," Joseph said. "I know the basics. I know help side, denying the ball. I'm going to have to learn, but I'm going to have to learn a lot at this level."

Melo thinks he'll be just fine, too.

"I'm a very coachable guy," he said. "I think if they show me what to do, I will do it. I think my reaction on defense is pretty good. And I can protect the basket. I'm not worried about that. Just show me how to do it and I will do it."

There's a guy named Kevin Garnett who will not hesitate to show his new rookie teammates what it means to play Celtics defense.

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