Postgame Thoughts... Clemson

[Zelda Zonk]

ZONE ZONE ZONE ZONE ... it’s rotted out this program .. I’m not even talking about it as a defensive strategy .. it’s probably a fine defense in the appropriate setting .. but when EVERYTHING you do as a program is based on catering to it .. from who you recruit .. who will ACCEPT your offers ... how it effects your stamina ... depth ... conditioning program ... it’s like fighting with one hand tied behind your back ...

There is a reason NO other major team uses this D as an exclusive system year after year after year .. Duke used it when it had to ... Baylor fiddles with it .. Beilen did ... but we are basically “the zone program “

And you have to ask yourself how much of the culture that follows, is limiting the program ?

Zakkly.
You have to ask yourself—if you're a prime time high schooler, a true elite player with a ton of options, why would you choose to go to an All Zone team? (Ir-)regardless of whether or not it actually hampers your ability to play m2m in the Pros, it certainly leaves that as a question mark, and it's not the best way to prepare yourself for those rigors. Doesn't matter if some of our players go on to become decent defenders in the NBA—it's not the ideal path. And what kind of personality says, Yeah—i want to play zone? If you did that in a pickup game, you'd be mocked and derided for the rest of your days. None of this means there aren't going to be exceptions. But, i have to believe we don't even get to be 'on the radar' of a lot of impact players because of that identity. Back in 'olden times,' we were the Showtime of ESPN, and attracted kids—even out of Cali—with our style. Our style now is not attractive.

And anyone who quotes our "3pt percentage defense" is ignoring factors that influence the makeup of our team—base talent—even before you get to a game that results in specious statistics.

"Zone" is the simpleton commentator's talking point. Whether it works or not, it's a highlighted characteristic. Even as the other team is bludgeoning us with their 'unremarkable' M2M. Remember how they used to talk about Temple? That's us.

 

[STEVEHOLT]

Zakkly.
You have to ask yourself—if you're a prime time high schooler, a true elite player with a ton of options, why would you choose to go to an All Zone team? (Ir-)regardless of whether or not it actually hampers your ability to play m2m in the Pros, it certainly leaves that as a question mark, and it's not the best way to prepare yourself for those rigors. Doesn't matter if some of our players go on to become decent defenders in the NBA—it's not the ideal path. And what kind of personality says, Yeah—i want to play zone? If you did that in a pickup game, you'd be mocked and derided for the rest of your days. None of this means there aren't going to be exceptions. But, i have to believe we don't even get to be 'on the radar' of a lot of impact players because of that identity. Back in 'olden times,' we were the Showtime of ESPN, and attracted kids—even out of Cali—with our style. Our style now is not attractive.

And anyone who quotes our "3pt percentage defense" is ignoring factors that influence the makeup of our team—base talent—even before you get to a game that results in specious statistics.

"Zone" is the simpleton commentator's talking point. Whether it works or not, it's a highlighted characteristic. Even as the other team is bludgeoning us with their 'unremarkable' M2M. Remember how they used to talk about Temple? That's us.

I don’t care how effective it is as an actual in game strategy... there is a much bigger picture as to the downside as you’ve elaborated .

Regarding the NBA related issues... when Amin Elhassan was working in the Suns front office .. he said they wouldn’t even consider Syracuse players for the most part because they were “Traffic cops” on defense (would just point to where people should go) .. I mean that’s a real thing .. whether it’s a good reason to pass on guys is another question .. but impression becomes the reality ..

 

[Ghost]

I don’t care how effective it is as an actual in game strategy... there is a much bigger picture as to the downside as you’ve elaborated .

Regarding the NBA related issues... when Amin Elhassan was working in the Suns front office .. he said they wouldn’t even consider Syracuse players for the most part because they were “Traffic cops” on defense (would just point to where people should go) .. I mean that’s a real thing .. whether it’s a good reason to pass on guys is another question .. but impression becomes the reality ..

Well, I think to some extent the zone worked because we could take uber-athletic "tweeners' give them a stage, and let them work. Showcase your offense, and you could hide your defense a little, or lack of size, whatevers…….

But that was somewhat based on having flawed players that could excel specifically in the zone - instead we morphed into have seriously flawed players that can't function in a zone - and they're our super-slow guards. Not gonna work. It's utter insanity to do it for the benefit of the "offense" they provide.

I suppose it will keep them on the court, but not sure that's a good thing AT ALL.

 

[kcsu]

The chancellor and AD thought throwing JB to the wolves would get us leniency from the NCAA.
It didn’t do that.
So why force the HC to retire before he wanted too. Hop could have stayed and he gets the job. Hop didn’t get screwed instead he found a way for everyone to be happy.
Now since Hop left JB hasn’t done a great job that stuff is fair game but just try to be fair.

Why do you think Hop left.
Hint. It wasn't because of his father.

 

[Alsacs]

Why do you think Hop left.
Hint. It wasn't because of his father.

If Hop didn’t leave he gets the SU job.
Listen I know what I know.
I am not going to take a shot at JB for what happened with Hop leaving.
It’s not what you make it out to be.

It’s old history I don’t care to flood the board with. JB had a right in 2015 to call his retirement. The chancellor and AD tried to throw JB’s retirement as a bone to get the NCAA to give us a break. It didn’t work. Thus it was a stupid decision.