cascadedevil
03-04-2009, 05:05 PM
This year, I have been trying to take my Duke Basketball viewing to a higher appreciation level by attempting to deeply understand the sets we are using on offense. I thought I was having success in understanding what was going on earlier in the season, but the last few games have left me confused.
In December and January it seemed like we were running alot of offense through the high post. The goal seemed to be to get Kyle as many touches as possible and to let him create opportunities (e.g. run the "horns" set, look for Gerald cutting on the baseline, the point guard cutting, the other big posting up down low or Scheyer open on the wing for a three). It also seemed that Brian had considerable success both in the high and low posts.
Now it seems like we are running very few of those sets and are gravitating to an offense that looks very much like last year's emphasis with Demarcus (e.g. get the ball to G on the extended high post wing, give him a screen and let him drive all the way to the hoop or kick to an open jump shooter). The modification seems to be that G is quickly developing the pull up mid-range jumper, which has been particularly effective the last few games.
If I am right about this (and I am far from confident that I am), I worry that our focus is highly dependent in G being able to beat his man off the bounce. This has largely worked, but the second half of the VT game was an example where it did not. I also worry that it creates a situation where the rest of the team stands around and just watches G, and particularly Kyle does not get enough touches. It also often leaves our bigs 20 feet from the basket and out of position for rebounding. That may help the other players rebound with the other team's big similarly out of the middle, but the last few games have seen us getting beat on the boards.
I am interested in others thoughts.
In December and January it seemed like we were running alot of offense through the high post. The goal seemed to be to get Kyle as many touches as possible and to let him create opportunities (e.g. run the "horns" set, look for Gerald cutting on the baseline, the point guard cutting, the other big posting up down low or Scheyer open on the wing for a three). It also seemed that Brian had considerable success both in the high and low posts.
Now it seems like we are running very few of those sets and are gravitating to an offense that looks very much like last year's emphasis with Demarcus (e.g. get the ball to G on the extended high post wing, give him a screen and let him drive all the way to the hoop or kick to an open jump shooter). The modification seems to be that G is quickly developing the pull up mid-range jumper, which has been particularly effective the last few games.
If I am right about this (and I am far from confident that I am), I worry that our focus is highly dependent in G being able to beat his man off the bounce. This has largely worked, but the second half of the VT game was an example where it did not. I also worry that it creates a situation where the rest of the team stands around and just watches G, and particularly Kyle does not get enough touches. It also often leaves our bigs 20 feet from the basket and out of position for rebounding. That may help the other players rebound with the other team's big similarly out of the middle, but the last few games have seen us getting beat on the boards.
I am interested in others thoughts.