I think there are a couple of issues here. The first is people not understanding what a motion offense is and instead thinking that they are just watching random iso opportunities. The second issue is we had players who lacked instinctual awareness and bogged down the concept or tried to over create.
Red ran a 4 out 1 in motion offense most of the season. That offense, like all motion offenses, is based on concepts - always spreading the floor, passing, cutting, screening, ball reversal, dribble penetration, and pick and rolls. The goal is to get the defense moving, have the players react to what the defense is doing, and press or create scoring opportunities when they are there.
This is not debatable. That is what Red was trying to run. There were flashes near the end of the season when this was highly effective. Against NC St there were also ran set plays run for Bell.
You also mentioned that pushing the ball up the court to avoid half court offense is not a "system." This is also incorrect. Transition or fast break offense is most definitely a system and is used effectively at every level.
Villanova's 4 Out Motion Offense