Re: Point Guard

[Adam Suchocki <Twilight@world.std.com>]

I wouldn't stereo-type Pitino point guards based on one college team.  
When he coached the knicks, his point guard was Mark Jackson, who was 
definately a create of the dribble/pass first point guard.

Moreover, calling Delk the point guard is a big stretch.  Epps and 
Walker ran the offense on that team.  Delk was a shooting guard (despite 
his size).  But the point of Barros possibly fitting in is valid, Pitino 
has shown he can make use of a small jump shooter in his system.  I ha e 
more concern about Dee Brown's ability to fit in that role.  Dee is in 
love with his outside shot, but it is not very effective.  He is very 
good at getting the shot off even with a man in his face, but he is not 
very good at hitting the wide open shot.  Everything I've seen in 
Pitino's systems have revolved around getting people open perimeter 
shots, fast break baskets, and if all else fails, allowing someone to go 
one on one in the low blocks.  That sort of system doesn't need someone 
who can hit 40 percent of his shots regardless of who is guarding him.  
It needs someone who can hit 50-60 percent of wide open shots off a 
quick catch and shoot (like Barros).

As to the lack of success of an all out running game, I have to 
disagree.  Pitino's Knicks team ran like crazy.  They averaged in the 
neighborhood of 110 points a game and won the Atlantic Division.  An 
up-tempo offense doesn't mean you don't play defense, and Pitino has 
shown a clear understanding of that.  His teams have been both 
incredibly explosive offensively and very agressive defensively.  In 
some ways, they resembe the 80's Lakers in that they run so much on 
offense that people often overlook the fact that they are so good on 
defense.  Coaces like Don Nelson, Doug Moe, and even Tommy Heinson have 
been very successful with teams that constantly try to create man 
advantages for easy shots (be they lay-ups or wide open perimeter 
shots).  Playing this style does not mean the team is not playing very 
aggressive defense.  Pitino's system stresses pressuring the ball to 
disrupt the other teams ability to get into a set offense.  in a league 
where more teams are going to big point guards with mediocre ball 
handling skills, this type of defense can be very effective.  Some easy 
baskets will be given up, but if the tempo can keep the scoring chances 
to around 100 or so per team, the disruption the defense causes on the 
other teams ball handlers will really take it's toll.  In this system, 
being a smaller point guard, or even a two guard is not a big 
disadvantage.  Pitino uses small guards to pressure the ball, double 
team, and especially attack from behind in the press (ala David Wesley). 
 Although there is some danger of the opponents posting up the smaller 
guards, this is not neccisarily a bad thing.  It gets the opponents big 
men standing around (often away from the basket), and it can stall out 
the offense.  Even when players like Muggsy Bogues are playing, when is 
the last time you can remember a team winning because they posted up the 
 point guard for 30 points.  

Anyway, I wouldn't be surprised if Pitino ends up using Barros, Wesley, 
and even Dee Brown (if he plays under control) a lot.  The Celtics will 
most likely run a lot more than they did last year (which was more than 
most teams ran).  There defense will be more aggressive than last year, 
but the other team will still get some easy baskets.  This may be a case 
where opponents shooting percentage alone is not an adequate rating of 
the defense the Celtics play, as a lot of their defense will be about 
getting the other team to make mistakes and turn the ball over.  Even 
this past year, the Celtic's showed that with a pressing team they could 
'cause even the better teams serious trouble.  The trick is getting the 
players to commit to that sort of energy and work for the full game.  If 
Pitino can manage that, the Celtics will score a lot, the oponents will 
have a lot of trouble trying to run their half court offenses, and 
players like Wesley, Dino, Barros, and Fox may have career years.

Adam





> > If Rick Pitino`s style of play is the same, which is to push the ball up
> the floor,shoot the three and pass to a guy coming off of a screen?  I
> think Dee and Dana can contribute. Rick`s style is a Tony Delk type player,
>  a former  point guard that won a national championship.  This should tell
> you the type point guard he is looking for.
> 
> Unfortunately the NBA's version of the Run & Shoot,  as in the NFL,  has
> failed miserably.  Just ask Jerry Tarkanian & Paul Westhead who had
> successful college programs with this style but were major flops in the
> NBA.  Defense is a key to success.