Would love to see us press more

[OrangeinDC]

I’d like to press more, too. With Kadary in, either Buddy or Girard would do fine pressing. Girard is not nearly as slow as people suggest. He’s white, so I guess that makes him look slower, but he has plenty of speed to stay with a guy full court and/or set up a trap. Height is the knock against him, but he’s not 5’10”. He’s be fine.

Buddy is slow, but has a wicked height advantage in a lot of cases. I know we tend to put a forward on the inbounder, but Buddy would do well there.

All the other guys are well suited to press.

I agree. I don't think JG is slow nor is he fast, he's quick. The key if they are in on a press is where you put them. Joe's quickness would make him a good cut off man on the far side of the inbound. This is one of the few times JGs size could really help him if takes it serious. It would suck for a guy that may not be a primary ballhandler to have a quick little guard get under him. Buddy could serve a similar purpose on inbound side of the press, but his height/length vice quickness is what he would have to focus on.

To be clear, neither would be my first options for our best pressing group.

 

[Mareiniss]

I've heard JB say repeatedly that he doesn't think our press is very effective. That is probably the case - I am not in a position to question his judgment on that issue. It can also lead to foul trouble and fatigue. I get that.

Still, I'd like to see the team press a bit, even if they're not behind, just to get the opponent out of rhythm. I hate to see teams like Virginia methodically pass the ball in and out of the high post and beat the zone. If we speed the other team up, it tends to get the opponent out of that sort of rhythm, and makes the 2-3 zone less vulnerable.

 

[upperdeck]

we press Virg very well. one reason they should be concerned if they play teams that actually can press. We really need that 4th guard if we want to press or be comitted to moving Griffin to the 2 with Kadary for a stretch

 

[721Comstock]

I've heard JB say repeatedly that he doesn't think our press is very effective. That is probably the case - I am not in a position to question his judgment on that issue. It can also lead to foul trouble and fatigue. I get that.

Still, I'd like to see the team press a bit, even if they're not behind, just to get the opponent out of rhythm. I hate to see teams like Virginia methodically pass the ball in and out of the high post and beat the zone. If we speed the other team up, it tends to get the opponent out of that sort of rhythm, and makes the 2-3 zone less vulnerable.

It's not effective, because it relies on 2 slow white kids who never leave the game.

Bring in Kadary, Woody, Bras, and Jesse (along with AG, if he's not in foul trouble), and have at it!!

Don't have to worry about Woody, Bras, and Jesse getting tired, since you'd only run that for a few minutes at a time. They can go all-out while they're in the game.

And you'd still have enough O on the court to not give up too much on that end, as you'd have 3 guys who can hit 3's in AG, Woody, and Bras.
(at least - Woody & Bras aren't appreciably worse than Jackson & Joe)

Saves Q and Marek from a little wear and tear and wasteful fouls.
And keeps Buddy & Joe fresher for the minutes they do play, which would be reduced by doing this.

Who says no? (other than JB)

 

[jdubs30]

It's not effective, because it relies on 2 slow white kids who never leave the game.

Bring in Kadary, Woody, Bras, and Jesse (along with AG, if he's not in foul trouble), and have at it!!

Don't have to worry about Woody, Bras, and Jesse getting tired, since you'd only run that for a few minutes at a time. They can go all-out while they're in the game.

And you'd still have enough O on the court to not give up too much on that end, as you'd have 3 guys who can hit 3's in AG, Woody, and Bras.
(at least - Woody & Bras aren't appreciably worse than Jackson & Joe)

Saves Q and Marek from a little wear and tear and wasteful fouls.
And keeps Buddy & Joe fresher for the minutes they do play, which would be reduced by doing this.

Who says no? (other than JB)

I get what you’re saying but that offense would be atrocious

 

[STEVEHOLT]

Zero shot blocking presence = bad idea to press in anything but a desperate situation.

That rim protection is half the success to the press when teams try to score after breaking it (which they usually do try to do)

 

[721Comstock]

I get what you’re saying but that offense would be atrocious

Kadary doing drive & kick to one of:
AG, Woody, Bras -
is that much worse than whatever the FFF it is we do when Buddy & Joe are at the guards?

 

[RF2044]

I think this team has the players to full court press for a good 2-3 minutes a half, not because we're down, but as a weapon. This would be a nice change up to throw at teams, but it would require throwing Bras, Woody and Frank into the mix (along with JE). We only press when we are down, but it’s looked good when we've done it.

We have the depth, but lack a coach willing to utilize the depth to play a more aggressive defensive style. We also lack the shotblocking we typically have anchoring the zone, due to Sidibe's injury.

 

[djcon57]

I love the press and agree it is a good way to speed up games. With our personnel, the faster the pace, the better it is for us.

But Frank has to be our best big for the press and he is apparently out for a long time.

Kadary gets in foul trouble a lot just playing zone. Pressing is likely to speed that up.

Marek, Jesse and Kadary would all likely get in foul trouble.

If Woody, Frank and Bourama could play at 100%, I would be totally on board. Without all those guys, we do not have a lot of depth and I think the risk is not worth the reward. Unless we fall behind significantly.

agreed with this. our press isn’t great w.o a shot blocking center in the back

 

[OrangeinDC]

We have the depth, but lack a coach willing to utilize the depth to play a more aggressive defensive style. We also lack the shotblocking we typically have anchoring the zone, due to Sidibe's injury.

I agree we don't have that typical person to anchor the zone without Sidibe.

Question:
If we are only pressing for short intervals, could we get away with FA and JE just being big back there? I would hope that if we have the best guys in the other four spots (KD, AG, QG and MD/Bras/Woody). It shouldn't get back to them often, could be wrong, but I'd give it a try. I don't see them doing a lot of shot blocking, more so just disrupting by being big.

 

[tbonezone]

playing 6 dudes and full court press should never be allowed in the same sentence. shame . only reason the 6 guys we currently play mega minutes don't get into foul trouble is that they're allowed not to defend.
SG buddy (not to pick on him) plays 36 mpg and averages 1.6 fouls . is that tight defense or laissez faire?
(laissez faire for those franco unfamiliar means "do whatever want you want i need to save energy.)

 

[OmahaCuse]

Put in Woody, Braswell, Kadry, Guerrier, AG and Marek/ Sid playing goalie and take out Joe, buddy for Press. We should do this in first half for a few minutes every game. And if we need more of it in 2nd half we have the bodies. Oh forgot BB does not come out

 

[OrangeinDC]

playing 6 dudes and full court press should never be allowed in the same sentence. shame . only reason the 6 guys we currently play mega minutes don't get into foul trouble is that they're allowed not to defend.
SG buddy (not to pick on him) plays 36 mpg and averages 1.6 fouls . is that tight defense or laissez faire?
(laissez faire for those franco unfamiliar means "do whatever want you want i need to save energy.)

Right.

We can only think about pressing if we add the other guys to the mix.

 

[Mareiniss]

agreed with this. our press isn’t great w.o a shot blocking center in the back

Hopefully, Sidibe will be back soon, which could make the press more effective.

Also, with all of his leaping ability (2x South Carolina HS high jump champion) I wonder why Braswell isn't more of a shot blocker.