HoopDreams said:

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Regarding D, i'd say Brown and 2k good,

Lars id solid... He improved his lower body strength and laterial quickness, is almost always is in the right place, makes few silly fouls and is 7 foot and strong. That counts a lot for defense. But he isn't athletic and has slow reactions so isn't much of a rim protector

Okofor is poor, and the sophs are not a lot better. Clayton, although undersized is fundamentally solid, and Obinna is scrappy

Grant has potential for a good defender, but needs to get stronger

But the only good rebounder for his position is joel. We don't rebound well, and giving up offensive rebounds wreck your defense

So individually we have some good defenders, but as a team we are weak, especially because we give up offensive rebounds vs the better teams

But I don't like our defensive scheme, even though it's similar to Martin and Monty's scheme. Basically straight up man, with little to no zone.

Martin's defense was better because he had better, more athletic players so his man switching defense was better, and his players bought in to his coaching

Monty's defense was better because he generally had veteran teams and was an elite coach

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calumnus said:

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HoopDreams said:

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Regarding D, i'd say Brown and 2k good,

Lars id solid... He improved his lower body strength and laterial quickness, is almost always is in the right place, makes few silly fouls and is 7 foot and strong. That counts a lot for defense. But he isn't athletic and has slow reactions so isn't much of a rim protector

Okofor is poor, and the sophs are not a lot better. Clayton, although undersized is fundamentally solid, and Obinna is scrappy

Grant has potential for a good defender, but needs to get stronger

But the only good rebounder for his position is joel. We don't rebound well, and giving up offensive rebounds wreck your defense

So individually we have some good defenders, but as a team we are weak, especially because we give up offensive rebounds vs the better teams

But I don't like our defensive scheme, even though it's similar to Martin and Monty's scheme. Basically straight up man, with little to no zone.

Martin's defense was better because he had better, more athletic players so his man switching defense was better, and his players bought in to his coaching

Monty's defense was better because he generally had veteran teams and was an elite coach

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Agree with the above, but Monty also scouts and schemes better on defense. Plus he even occasionally played some zone at Cal which he never did at Stanford.

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BeachedBear said:

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What really impressed me about Monty is how he installed his offenses. They were pretty complex but would be very effective early in the season. Since a complex offense is, well, complex - that's what was so impressive, and indicative of a great teacher (although Coach K and Calipari were probably better at this). I asked a few times to observe some of his early practices, but was denied seeing the secret sauce. Most of the coaches would let me watch practices, but Monty wouldn't.

The downside to Monty's offense (at least at stanford), was that by season end - good teams would have his teams well scouted and they would not perform as well as earlier.

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BeachedBear said:

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What really impressed me about Monty is how he installed his offenses. They were pretty complex but would be very effective early in the season. Since a complex offense is, well, complex - that's what was so impressive, and indicative of a great teacher (although Coach K and Calipari were probably better at this). I asked a few times to observe some of his early practices, but was denied seeing the secret sauce. Most of the coaches would let me watch practices, but Monty wouldn't.

The downside to Monty's offense (at least at stanford), was that by season end - good teams would have his teams well scouted and they would not perform as well as earlier.

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HoopDreams said:

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First thing I look for in a defender is lateral quickness

How well can he stay in front of his man, and if he gets beat on a drive, or gets shaked on a step back, cross-over or hesi, how wellcan he recover

Without that fundamental quickness, athleticism it's tough for any player to be a good defender, although gaining low body strength helps people move better with a lower defensive stance

also defensive skills such as stance in relationship to other player, keep the right distance, knowing how to defend a shot vs a cross over, etc etc etc

One simple example is a ball handler is coached to attack the defenders high foot, so knowing how to counter or make sure there is help side

Understanding defensive principals. Basically being in the right place and knowing your assignments. This includes not over helping, understanding when to go over or under a screen, when to double, how to defend a pick and roll, when to switch, etc, etc, etc

Physical characteristics such as length, strength, jumping ability, and timing of block attempts. This and lateral quickness is what makes 2K a good defender

Also overall hoops IQ. I usually spot high hoops IQ with being a good passer and being able to jump passes for a steal (e.g. Jorge and the ultimate.... Kidd)

Not making bad fouls is another thing to watch. Good example is Lars. As a freshmen he made many dumb fouls but he cleaned that up

So much more but a sample

Big C said:

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BeachedBear said:

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HoopDreams said:

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Agree, and I always think too many people discount or don't even consider defense

He's a very good defender

BC Calfan said:

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I think Kuany would be a nice piece to have if he decides to return next season. While his improvement has been incremental, it's visible. With a new, capable coach I think he can be put in a better position to flourish. His confidence is there, his shooting touch has improved, instincts are good, he's a solid team player. If his game is fine tuned a little I think he would be a reliable contributor. Plus he seems like a fantastic teammate!

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I would add that Kuany's defense has improved dramatically. He arrived with the length and athleticism, but he has improved his footwork, positioning and defensive teamwork in the the last two seasons particularly. And much of that is adopting counter intuitive defensive behaviors which takes effort. As much as I bash Fox - he might deserve some of the credit for this. But Kuany deserves MOST of the credit for putting in the work and changing his defensive behaviors to improve.

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BeachedBear and Hoop Dreams: What are you looking for when you assess 2K's defense? Is it more perimeter or interior defense (or both)? I am not disputing your assertion by any means, but when I look at our defense, in the aggregate, we really suck this season. We leave 3-point shooters open, opponents score around the basket and they rebound with impunity.

Joel Brown is, I guess, a good on-ball defender, but the rest of them all seem to have one or more flaws in their defensive game. In general, besides our glaring lack of shooting, this just seems to be a low "hoops IQ" group, rarely making the winning-basketball move on either end of the court.

I love Kuany's free throw stroke (also Lars'). Smooth, sound and confident. I believe he's shooting above 80% from the line.

If any of these guys could be convinced to return, I think that would be good (not great). One way or another, there will be plenty of open roster spots for the new coach to fill with better talent.

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HoopDreams said:

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If your going to pick on Lars for missing 1-2 FTs v OSU HOW ABOUT 2 other starters missing 3-3 FTs v UW

That game went to OT because of it and then we lost

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SFCityBear said:

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HoopDreams said:

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If your going to pick on Lars for missing 1-2 FTs v OSU HOW ABOUT 2 other starters missing 3-3 FTs v UW

That game went to OT because of it and then we lost

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I was just responding to a line in a post which also referred to Kuany's FT shooting. Is being disappointed picking on someone? So be it. I was also disappointed that Kuany missed out on a five-point play. I don't remember ever having seen such a play. He sank a three, got fouled, and a technical foul was also called on the defender. KK made the first free throw, but then missed the technical. Good free throw shooters when they miss the first of two, will adjust their aim or execution and make the 2nd. With below average FT shooters, when they make the first, they will of course try to make the 2nd, but usually will miss, being unable to summon enough muscle memory to duplicate the first free throw.

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HoopDreams said:

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SFCityBear said:

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HoopDreams said:

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If your going to pick on Lars for missing 1-2 FTs v OSU HOW ABOUT 2 other starters missing 3-3 FTs v UW

That game went to OT because of it and then we lost

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I was just responding to a line in a post which also referred to Kuany's FT shooting. Is being disappointed picking on someone? So be it. I was also disappointed that Kuany missed out on a five-point play. I don't remember ever having seen such a play. He sank a three, got fouled, and a technical foul was also called on the defender. KK made the first free throw, but then missed the technical. Good free throw shooters when they miss the first of two, will adjust their aim or execution and make the 2nd. With below average FT shooters, when they make the first, they will of course try to make the 2nd, but usually will miss, being unable to summon enough muscle memory to duplicate the first free throw.

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fair enough. just seems people are overly critical of Lars (yeah, I know he has poor hands)

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