The Art of the Upset

It’s that time of year again! 12-5 upset, one shining moment, all that good stuff. I’ve watched college basketball for many years now, and also played it, and I’ve noticed some common things that seem to happen each time there is an “upset.” For example: Three-point shooting, good point guard play, and a formidable post player on the block. So check me out:
Three point shooting

Usually, the higher seed is a bigger team so the lower seed will have to have ways to score that neutralizes the size difference. Take a look back; good three-point shooting is always a common theme. They get hot from three, get their confidence going, then with the clock winding down and nerves setting in, all the sudden the playing field is level. Take for instance when Duke was recently upset by Lehigh (3-14 matchup). LeHigh Played very well and CJ McCollum led them to victory by shooting very well from the outside. He eventually went on to get drafted into the NBA so with him, the matchup wasn’t that much of a difference. Also another instance, remember George Mason who went on a Cinderella run and beat UConn? They went 9-18 from 3 (50%) and edged them by 2 points.
Good Point Guard play

In college, point guards are VERY important. Its not like the NBA where you can have a wing player that’s so good you can just give it to them and tell everyone to get outta the way. Now every now and then that happens, but not much. Not to keep picking on Duke, but not only CJ McCollum was a guard who got at them, but also Eric Maynor led VCU past duke. At that time Duke had Greg Paulus, who couldn’t guard a chair in my opinion. Maynor light him up, as well as DeMarcus Nelson.
Formidable Post Player

Going back to George Mason, Jai Lewis was 6-7 275, and built like a Defensive lineman. He gave taller post players fits, especially Josh Boone and Hilton Armstrong. Both of whom are usually two dominant big men who had their way for the majority of the year, but in that game they combined for 14 points and Jai Lewis had 20 points.
Now, usually the post players aren’t that great, that’s why I used the term “Formidable.” For lower seeds the post player just needs to have size, not get punked down low and have some length to affect some shots or have a big enough body to where they can create some space.

Alright, lesson over...Peace

New Age of Basketball: The AAU Influence (plus extra)

Anyone who has engaged in any kind of basketball debate regarding the state of basketball (NBA mostly) has heard this phrase on more than one occasion:

"Basketball just isn't how it used to be, players are too friendly."

AND

"Michael Jordan, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson would team up with another star to get a ring."

Okay, let me address the first quote. Alright, as factual as that statement may be...I don't see how that is a knock on the league. What these grumpy old men don't realize is the affect of the AAU influence on our generation. Back when Jordan was playing, in those days AAU wasn't as big as it is now. Nowadays, the guys you play against you've grown up with and also been on teams in one game or another with. So naturally, with basketball being a fraternity, you become friends with those guys. Which is the main reason there aren't the bloody battles like back in the day. Which wasn't good for the game anyway. Get over it. Ya'll mean to tell me that if you had a chance to go play with one of your best friends (i.e. Lebron and Wade), you wouldn't?!

Man....you're buggin'....I'mma go have fun and win this 'chip with my boy.

Alright so the second quote, which is stupid to me. With the exception of Jordan, them fools didn't have to leave! Magic and Bird were drafted to teams with several Hall of Famers on their team already. Why would Magic need to leave when he's got Kareem, Worthy, Cooper and them ALREADY? Yea....chill. Bird had McHale, Parrish, and Dennis Johnson and Bill Walton. Even in more recent times, Kobe Bryant...drafted to LA then they got Shaq...leave for what? Tim Duncan drafted to Spurs who have the Admiral....once again, leave for what?!

Now, a little history lesson real quick. Kareem left the Milwaukee Bucks to go play with the Lakers....they don't say much about that one. Oscar Robertson started in Cincinnati, left to go play with Kareem in Milwaukee. Even Wilt the Stilt, he started out in Philadelphia, then teamed up with Jerry West and Elgin Baylor. So lets don't act like this doesn't happen. Also, lets keep it 100, Boston started the trend when they won a title with their manufactured team.

Chill.

Peace.

K.Y.P. (Know Your Personnel)

That is a basketball term that is widely known and used, in the basketball community that is. K.Y.P., you know who you have, and you know what their strengths are and you know what their weaknesses are, and as a Pro team you know what kind of player they are when you get them. It would be insane to purchase a blender if you’re trying to make burgers for a cookout. So why would you, NY Knicks, get Carmelo Anthony who is a known scorer, and then complain about his lack of distribution? That makes no sense to me. To be honest it really angers me to a small extent, because everyone has their own, ridiculous, definition of what a superstar is and what they should do.
A player like Carmelo Anthony is really a glorified 2nd option. He’s a pure scorer that just happens to be so good at it that it has elevated him to superstar expectations. But, don’t be ridiculous, Melo is an incredible asset to a team, to denigrate him for a style of play that you courted is laughable.
To me the responsibility falls back on the Coach and the G.M. for how the team is playing. Last I checked, the Point Guard’s job was to facilitate and distribute the basketball. Now, I understand ball movement is a team thing, but the PG knows what plays to call and what will get more continuity in the offense. If you call an iso play for Melo, more than likely he can beat his man, so he’s going to try to score. Same thing for Kobe Bryant…he’s a scorer, why are you expecting otherwise? The system just needs to be different, take Team USA for instance. Carmelo Anthony doesn’t seem like a ball stopper with that crew, does he? No, he’s an offensive weapon, mainly because Coach K is a smart coach and they run sets where there’s movement and they get Melo in spots where he can shoot and not really have to work for his shot. But it doesn’t look forced and there is no standing around by the other 4, because it’s a set being run to get a look from him. If you have a better structure then there shouldn’t be any problem with his style of play.

Give a player with his scoring ability to Greg Popovich or Brad Stevens and watch what would happen.


SMH....Peace.