CSNbbs

http://www.mlive.com/broncos/index.ssf/2...ts_wm.html

With out ruining your read, there is one statement that significantly jumped out at me. Nothing overly surprising but startling to finally read nonetheless.

Re DL and his offensive development. I'm sure he's in good hands with Coach Bates.

I would however add, and I'm biased, but developing the "running hook" would be a very tangible up tick for Don. You watch Joe with his footwork, leveraging of his body mass and deft ambidexterity around the hole and you can see how someone utterly earthbound can be significantly successful. Now add the athleticism and length of DL and a running hook would be unstoppable.

A running hook as opposed to a jump hook provides a couple benefits.

You create greater space between yourself and the defender. Space that will allow for a cleaner look and less contention.

You jump 4-6" higher lifting off one foot and reaching with the ball in hand than gathering and lifting off both feet.

Additionally, the back board becomes "more friendly". With a cleaner look comes more "board space". With a running hook you also can provide a softer touch. Around the rim or off the glass you are served better.

Finally, if properly executed, the shooter is now parallel to the shooting target not perpendicular, or facing straight on and not with his "off" shoulder closest to the target. This allows for an immediate move to the rim, as you are now facing that target allowing for better off. rebound opportunity.

Add this to the jump hook, it has it's place, and you have a lethal offensive weapon. Of course, being ambidexterous, is mandatory. Being so provides you a 50% leg up on every possession.

One other advantage, IMO, is the running hook can be shot effectively at a greater distance and the momenteum of the move itself takes you closer to the basket. All with the above stated advantages of a clearer and cleaner look.

For you oldtimers out there, I will harken back beyond the obvious reference of Jabbar, but of more earth bound types like Lanier and Reed. Then, off course there is the more or Laws (less) facsimilie of Bill Russell.

Quote:He does now, so much so that Hawkins is looking for ways to put Reitz and Lawson on the court together for stretches, especially against teams with multiple threats in the post, such as Ohio's Jerome Tillman and Leon Williams.

The General may be right. Couch does get his ideas from message boards.

Seriously though, why not put him on with Joe, and move Drews to the three at that point. I don't grasp why he talks about doing it but never does it.

^ thegeneral is always right (except when dealing with u.m. police apparently)

We may see that tandem. Though DL has improved his interior D, as I am sure he gets a steady diet of needing to in practice against Joe, I suspect he can be a liability on the perimeter. Though certainly not due to his athleticism, to play outside D it's both a different mindset but the technique is world's apart.
Use a zone. A possibility.

That scenario (a zone) would likely work if you move Derek to the 3. Unfortunately, unless his foot or ankle which gave him problems last year has resurfaced, I haven't seen him be able to adequately guard the perimeter.
Even in a zone, he would be a perimeter base line defender in a 2-3 or wing in a 1-3-1. Both would/could expose him as in m-m.

At the years outset, after LOI's were in for '08/'09, I purposefully laid out my top 8, knowing some would squawk that so and so was left out and you have to make it at least 9 yada yada. I chose 8 because I wanted to establish a cut off of minutes. I had hoped certain kids would step up and separate from others. In that scenario I pointed out that I thot the play at the 1 and 4 would dictate who played elsewhere and for how much.
In that scenario I made a couple assumptions. First, Derek would be able to guard the perimeter and would provide offense off the dribble and that Shawntees would continue to improve in perimeter shooting and decision making with the ball on the floor, to the degree I saw him improve decision making last year when at the rim.
I went 1-5 in Kool, Gary, Drews, Berger and Joe. My next 3 were Redell, Lawson and Mac. Mac was a reach, I thot, but based on Hawks assessment of "most improved" since last year and that size wise he could take on a Bramos or so and on quicks could match with a Tyrone Kent of UT, he gave us, albeit a risk, improved size and athleticism.
#9 was 'dre and 10 was Frac, though I kept them out of the mix.

Apparently DK is not the combo guard I anticipated and Mike, though still up and down, provides the potential to better direct the offense. Admittingly, he has his warts, but he has shown good complexion in critical games.

Shawnee, IMO is fine with the outside J. Still need to work on it. His handles, a tougher "learn" than his decision making at the rim (a natural altitude for him), has not progressed to the same degree. However, he continues to work on it and it is progressing.

Berger is giving us what I thot he could. He is the interior (4-5) "glue guy" that Frac brings as 3-4. He doesnt hurt us, is well rounded but not a difference maker. Which is fine. That spot is my "garbage man". Does the dirty work, pts of O glass, loose balls and busted D assignments all the while guarding the rim and grinding in the paint.

Derek Drews has not failed to deliver from beyond the arc. He battles inside on D but can be physically overmatched. He, like DK not being a PG, is not a playmaker on the wing. He's an incredible shooter. Despartely needed, but would be more lethal if he could drive it effectively and defend it likewise. A true triple threat.

Mac, has come on of late. As Hawk has said, like DL, make your statement on D and the O will come. Continue to hone and master the former, the latter will indeed unfold.

What is interesting is that the entire perimeter group returns next year plus Hairston. Add Douglass likely getting minutes like DL is in preparation for his balance and to provide fresher legs for others at next years conclusion. I don't know what Ward will bring. He will have DK, SG, MM, JH and 'dre to compete with for minutes.