Have gotten a ton if opinions so I want to see which is best. Thanks!

IT DOESNT MATTER

You are over analyzing this.

You want to win? get good players.....PERIOD.

Posted by mullycj on 12/20/2018 10:10:00 AM (view original):
IT DOESNT MATTER

You are over analyzing this.

You want to win? get good players.....PERIOD.

I understand getting great players is the way to win and that is obviously mine and everyone else goal, but it clearly does matter at least a little and I want to win as much as I can so why not use the best offense?

I said flex, but I’m going to hedge a bit, because I like a more uptempo mindset to go with a 3-2, because you’re going to have more guard type players on the floor. You’re likely to have a speed advantage, may as well use it. Playing slow down can mute a speed advantage.

With a slowdown zone mindset, I would prefer a low post based triangle, with a 2-3 zone. Triangle de-emphasizes the conditioning attributes, particularly athleticism and speed. So in this setup, you have 3 bigs (ideally the forwards are excellent rebounders and defenders, and at least one of them can score, and the center is a rebound/block machine), and 2 guards, a distributor and a scorer.

Honestly I think it really depends on the person. Just about everyone that plays this game has certain tendencies on player attributes that they'll recruit for. Some people focus on PER first while others go for LP. Some try to get high speed with high BH while others go for high ATH players. Even when going with different O/D, I think people tend to still sway a certain way based upon their experiences and what has worked for them in the past.

So if you're the type of coach that likes speed, per and bh, go for a Flex/Press team. If you typically go for a deep team with high ST, go for FB/Press. If you usually only manage to get 9 guys with only two viable scorers, go Triangle/Zone.

But as Mully says - any combo can work. I think it's just important to try to match up the O/D strengths with your own personal preferences.

I think geography also matters. I run zone and triangle at Hawaii because geography makes it hard to know what sort of recruits you can get. Very helpful to be able to take a guy whose DEF is low if he is otherwise a player you want. That is important at Hawaii, Puerto Rico and some other remote spots. You need to grab anyone who can help

I think that flexibility works best with Tri Zone.

Now, if you actually look at my Hawaii team in recent seasons, we also practice some Press, because I have been able to keep the roster deep the last several seasons and I like the option to switch things up. I think that is not a best approach in remote locations, but is nice if you can make it happen.

I’m for sure using Zone.

And I think Triangle is less fussy - you need 2 or better 3 guys who can play offense, but can have a some guys on the roster who dont shoot much. You have, I think, less constraint to get a particular type of player in Tri. you need your bigs to pass the ball - but you can usually find bigs who can play defense and pass. And find one big who can score.....and you need one or two scorers at the 1,2 3 slots. But your guys dont need to be interchangeable.....

very helpful if you are geographically limited and there is a flawed but useful guy nearby - island of the misfit toys!

Also bulls, consider that conference your joining. Since it's full, if they all play fastbreak press, you'll have to battle your conference buddies often for the players you want. IF you choose sets that require similar player types

Posted by Sportsbulls on 12/20/2018 10:16:00 AM (view original):

Posted by mullycj on 12/20/2018 10:10:00 AM (view original):
IT DOESNT MATTER

You are over analyzing this.

You want to win? get good players.....PERIOD.

I understand getting great players is the way to win and that is obviously mine and everyone else goal, but it clearly does matter at least a little and I want to win as much as I can so why not use the best offense?

No it really doesn't matter in the scheme of things.

And the fact that you are insisting on running "SLOW" tempo regardless of your roster makeup shows you are not getting the big picture. You recruit the best players you can THEN decide on tempo based on your team vs each opponent. Some seasons I go uptempo, others normal, others all three speeds. I have run every offense except FB and really don't see a difference in any of them.

I agree with mully. Predetermining that you always want to run slow tempo is a recipe for disaster. Tempo decisions have to be made on a game by game basis - if not a team by team basis. For example, I like running uptempo if I have a big ATH advantage, a deep team with a lot of upperclassmen, or if I just have a depth advantage (like I have 12 players & my opponent only has 9). I sorta get what you mean with the whole slow tempo zone thing though. Yeah, in some cases zone team may be prone to running slowdown, since that offense can work without a ton of depth. However, it still is not good to predetermine things like that.

Posted by mullycj on 12/20/2018 4:54:00 PM (view original):

Posted by Sportsbulls on 12/20/2018 10:16:00 AM (view original):

Posted by mullycj on 12/20/2018 10:10:00 AM (view original):
IT DOESNT MATTER

You are over analyzing this.

You want to win? get good players.....PERIOD.

I understand getting great players is the way to win and that is obviously mine and everyone else goal, but it clearly does matter at least a little and I want to win as much as I can so why not use the best offense?

No it really doesn't matter in the scheme of things.

And the fact that you are insisting on running "SLOW" tempo regardless of your roster makeup shows you are not getting the big picture. You recruit the best players you can THEN decide on tempo based on your team vs each opponent. Some seasons I go uptempo, others normal, others all three speeds. I have run every offense except FB and really don't see a difference in any of them.

With all due respect, this is just wrong. You’re the only one I’ve heard say this. I’ve talked to many coaches who’ve won a lot and they all say that this stuff matters. The type of defense and offense you play impacts the type of players you’re looking for. For in triangle you don’t need speed as much as FB, but you need more passing.

I’m insisting on running slow tempo because I want to run zone. Running fast paced while running slow down eliminates the point of running zone. The point of zone is you only need 8-9. Fast paced requires more stamina and bodies.

I guarantee others will back me up that you recruit differently for offenses and defenses and that running fast paced in zone is not smart. The “best player” for each offense, is different.

“I’m insisting on running slow tempo because I want to run zone. Running fast paced while running slow down eliminates the point of running zone. The point of zone is you only need 8-9. Fast paced requires more stamina and bodies.”

I’d look at it a little bit differently. Running zone means you *don’t have to* slow down with only 8-9. As long as your 8-9 have decent (high 60s +) stamina, you shouldn’t have fatigue problems with normal tempo zone, unless they get into foul trouble. Trying to do man with only 8-9, you may need to worry more about tempo to preserve stamina. Press could be a disaster with a short bench. Zone is fine with 8-9.

The best reason to adjust tempo is to increase or decrease possessions.

I’d also say, while I agree the sets emphasize different attributes, there are better reasons to run zone than being able to play with a short bench and using walkon s for extra resources every year. It’s a way to play, and I don’t deny that the strategy can work. But the zone defense gives much more than that, for those who understand how it works.