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Duke switching from man to zone constantly. Doesn't coach K know you never come out of Man......ever. Duke isn't even deep but they pressure the ball all game.

I'm watching the MSU team stream broadcast. I feel bad for guys like Robin Hook who worked to master their craft only to have someone like Mateen Cleaves get a national gig with CBS. I listened to some of the MHSAA student broadcasts and they were way better than Cleaves. He's just awful.

He is a product of the Flint school system, you know.

(04-04-2015 07:37 PM)MajorHoople Wrote:  He is a product of the Flint school system, you know.

He's also a product of a flawed learn on job business model where name recognition trumps ability.

(04-04-2015 08:13 PM)Chipdip2 Wrote:  He's also a product of a flawed learn on job business model where name recognition trumps ability.

"Name recognition trumps ability" is bbSame business model used to elect a US President

Pretty sure Hook had some opportunities for some bigger gigs but he turned them down.

Dip what are complaining about. He is, after all, a State grad !!!!![/i]

(04-04-2015 08:34 PM)okgc Wrote:  

(04-04-2015 08:13 PM)Chipdip2 Wrote:  He's also a product of a flawed learn on job business model where name recognition trumps ability.

"Name recognition trumps ability" is bbSame business model used to elect a US President

Has been for a few elections, same with pretty much any race actually.

Posted from my mobile device using the CSNbbs App

I agree with you Chip, just thinking today why doesn't "Hawk" use an occasional zone? From my experience as coach, I found switching back and forth (as surprise) caused the opponent to needed some time outs making adjustments. Even if for 2 or 3 minutes per game would force opponents some "zone" practice time. A zone can be used to protect a player in foul trouble, but then what does that Duke coach know?

Secondly, Mateen is a nice kid but as professional announcer, he is not going to make it. He is not good on the Piston games let alone the NCAA, and occasional Big Ten network.

Robin Hook is as good a broadcaster as you could find anywhere, period!!

I think using a zone defense would go against practically everything Hawk teaches on defense. There are certainly advantages to using a zone defense, but I don't think any of them coincide with Hawk's defensive philosophies. That's my guess as to why we rarely (if ever) use it.

And I agree, Mateen Cleaves does not have a promising career in sports broadcasting.

There are multiple people on this board that are convinced Hawk doesn't know how to attack a zone. While I don't necessarily agree with that statement, I recognize that wmu doesn't kill a zone with regularity.

If attacking a zone isn't Hawks strongest area (he's admitted so I believe), then why in the heck would we want him teaching his players how to play one?

One of Hawks best attributes as a coach, IMO, is that he does not stray or tinker with what his beliefs are in basketball. I'd rather he focus on one thing and get his players to do that really well. Opposite is to throw in 2-3 things and do them mediocre.

While I like the idea of focusing strengths, I've got to think every craft or job or game has a set of tools. As, people say, gee that player needs to work on his jump shot or needs to learn to use his left hand. So you work on stuff. So the question is, why don't we switch up our defense to a zone when it might be helpful?

Sometimes I just feel like a particular game is going a certain way and we just keep doing the thing we are doing because some of the tools are just not available. And those games start to slip away and seemingly no adjustments are available. Admit I know little about basketball theory or systems, so for me it is just a vague uneasiness.

Although, my limited knowledge tells me zones prevent penetration and force the offense to shot from outside. Yet what usually kills us is the 3 point shot. How many times does somebody hit a bunch of 3's and the Hook and Hawk say, that person is only averaging 1 three per game. So maybe we need a way to shut down the three more than a zone?

(04-08-2015 06:26 PM)Hoekjeness Wrote:  I think using a zone defense would go against practically everything Hawk teaches on defense. There are certainly advantages to using a zone defense, but I don't think any of them coincide with Hawk's defensive philosophies. That's my guess as to why we rarely (if ever) use it.

And I agree, Mateen Cleaves does not have a promising career in sports broadcasting.

The best played zones execute m-m principles. Pressure the ball, play with your feet, be ball side in off ball position, when off ball see man and ball, communicate, physically make contact on block out assignments, and know who you are guarding (what is their skill set?).

With that in mind employing this gets you away from the stereotypical zone of playing w/ your back to the basket, losing sight man w/o ball, playing up right (stiff legged) and not matching up.

I liken a zone to that of a changing speeds in pitching in baseball. Change tempo, make the other guy adjust mentally and physically and always have that pitch in your repertoire leaves the other guy to wonder when? If? Or how?

I advocate for m-m. Accountability is clearer, there is less thinking involved and more instinctual play. I prefer a faster pace. Not Loyola Marymount of the 80's or VCU under Smart. But I prefer a forward lean.

I don't understand why some are so stubborn.

If he's going to change it up, I'd prefer to see more of the half court trap that we've been shown on rare occasions.

Force the issue at certain times and play aggressive.

(04-08-2015 08:56 PM)EA3 Wrote:  If he's going to change it up, I'd prefer to see more of the half court trap that we've been shown on rare occasions.

Force the issue at certain times and play aggressive.

Agree the trap has been effective at times. Agree it is a way to switch things up and change the flow of the game. We only seem to use it as a kind of desperation measure.

(04-09-2015 07:26 AM)Dirty Ernie Wrote:  

(04-08-2015 08:56 PM)EA3 Wrote:  If he's going to change it up, I'd prefer to see more of the half court trap that we've been shown on rare occasions.

Force the issue at certain times and play aggressive.

Agree the trap has been effective at times. Agree it is a way to switch things up and change the flow of the game. We only seem to use it as a kind of desperation measure.

Making it predictable and hardly an effective change of tempo.