(01-28-2015 02:55 PM)memphissince86 Wrote: (01-28-2015 02:08 PM)Stammers Wrote: (01-28-2015 02:02 PM)Sundanceuiuc Wrote: To drag this back from invective (there are some good conversations here despite ourselves), I do find the discussion on 'identity' interesting. I will say that identity is not just a nomenclature of '2-3' or 'DDM'. It can be a spiritual
There are things that you know your team will do. I will say that last year's team did have an identity of sharing the ball and being very unselfish.
When people say we don't have an identity, they aren't being perceptive or honest. The poster that listed the 15 teams that have an identity listed quite a few that either play man to man or zone. We play almost exclusively man to man defense so that is definitely an identity. We are known as athletic. Traditionally, we score a lot of points, shoot a high field goal percentage and rank highly in steals per game.
I also remember last year from the coach himself....that we would PRESS all the time b/c of our guards or whatever etc. It didn't happen and that tells me you don't know how you want to play after 6 yrs.
So does he have a defined style of play every year, or does he change or want to change it every year?
IMO you should pick a style, stick with it, and recruit the players that fit your style.
And still no one has been able to give a definitive answer to what our identity or style is.
And I gave you 15 teams that do.....and there's more.
You can define all teams as athletic, doesn't mean that's a style.
Growing and identifying a personal identity takes some time and it is also possible that a system he would likely prefer (1-4 due to his training under Olsen) is one that may not match the personnel he has been able to recruit at memphis. Nichols is a clear 1-4 front court who can play hi/lo and is an incredible fit. Not sure who else would be most at home in that type of offense on our roster. I know we ran Will Barton off 1-4 low double baselines screens to an elbow curl for an entire season...
I'm just thinking out loud. A 'style' or 'identity' is partially a system, partially a theoretical background, partially indentifying players with attributes you want, and partially an almost spiritual ideal. It's also instilling attributes and attitudes on your roster. Izzo, rebounding. Boeheim, calm reasoned offensive and defensive motions. Calipari, on ball man up defense. Etc, etc, etc. It's more than saying '2-3', '1-3-1', 'press'. It's not just a 'system'.
I am in favor of much of the criticism of Pastner, but I am actually very impressed that he seems to really try to maximize his roster and is flexible with the offense we run. I actually wish he were a little LESS flexible in this regard.
The X/O's systems we seem to run are flawed in my mind more on the defensive side than the offensive side. He preaches ball movement and unselfishness and the team at their best points takes on that responsibility (and that is to both the players and JP's credit). I just wish they were a little smoother on both sides of the ball.
Bigger issue is the Tigers can't take a punch. The team is filled with talented, nice, and good kids. The coach is a good guy. This team needs a little 'dog' in it and one of the coaches (not necessarily Pastner) needs to have the role of challenging the players' collective manhood when necessary.
The whole program needs to have a little more 'edge' and 'meanness'. Pastner on down. Fix that in a tweak and I bet a lot of other issues go right away...
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ESPN, Jeff Goodman: Coaches on the "Hot Seat" ...
