AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2008 > February > 26
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Does Tech need to change styles?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
As Georgia Tech gets ready to play a different Duke team than the one the Yellow Jackets last saw, I wonder, should Tech make sea changes in playing style next season?
You have to have the personnel to fit the changes, of course, and that’s another question, not the question for this discussion.
Duke lost to the NBA Josh McRoberts, by far the Blue Devils’ chief post presence, and 7-footer Brian Zoubek has been injured a lot (he’s back, and will play tomorrow). Even when he plays, though, it’s more for defensive purposes and to rebound rather than score.
But K has changed Duke’s basic offensive philosophy in some ways this season, in part perhaps to cover for lack of interior personnel. Also, I think he just fell head over heels in love last summer. After coaching the U.S. team with D’Antoni of the Phoenix Suns, he’s incorporated some of coach D’s run-outs, etc.
When the Blue Devils are in the open court, in transition, they’re more likely to spread the floor now, often sending players to each corner, rather than all filling the middle third of the floor on the break.
One of the results is more 3-pointers. These guys really take a lot of three pointers. They have no standard offensive threats in the post. That doesn’t mean they don’t score in the paint; they get some easy buckets off their spacing.
But they have made distinct changes, and while they’re not going to block a lot of shots, they’re forcing a lot more turnovers than last year, and running off of them. They’re less likely to want to slow down and half-court/screen/roll etc.
They want to move, move, move.
Now, in some ways, that’s what Hewitt wants at Tech — significant reliance on a transition game.
Anyway, if somebody told you change was imminent (and I’m talking about in style), what would you suggest.
I know this is going to fetch some stupid suggestions, some that are off topic, but hey, I didn’t invent the blog concept. I just do as asked.
Matt
