It may not be right in all late game situations bu...

2008-04-08T20:01:00.000-07:00

It may not be right in all late game situations but I think here it just makes a lot of sense. I mean, to break one of these presses, it requires 3 or more passes or a dribble through a double-team. I can see not wanting to do this in a 1 or 2 point game if you are worried about a ballhandler trying to split a double team and drawing a foul. But I think it makes sense if you're up 3 with 10 seconds or less to go. Or in the last minute of the game up 4 or more to slow down the other team.

I think you make a good point and I figure a big r...

2008-04-08T15:17:00.000-07:00

I think you make a good point and I figure a big reason why you don't see that happen ever is fear of what could happen. If it goes wrong (and it likely would occasionally just because pressure does sometimes lead to easy buckets) that coach would get skewered for that unconventional decision. Losing conventionally is more OK than losing unconventionally.

Still, it would be so surprising to put one of those defenses in in that type of situation that it could easily lead to confusion. I think as long as you provided some last line of defense to prevent a total breakdown it would be great to see something more along those lines.

Comments on Bizarro Joe Lunardi: Late Game Defensive Strategy

It may not be right in all late game situations bu...

I think you make a good point and I figure a big r...