TruePoint wrote: ↑2 years ago
A big problem with being a contrarian in the way you are describing is that nobody learns how to be a back-to-the-basket big man. It’s been totally deemphasized at every level of the sport, and it is a definite skill set that needs to developed - it’s not as simple as “just stand on the block with your back to the hoop and then when you get the ball, drop step one way or the other.” Posting is a skill, the footwork required once you have the ball is certainly a skill (maybe one of the hardest to learn), developing a repertoire of moves takes time, and finishing off of those moves is another difficult skill to learn. If a coach wanted to start utilizing a post-up big they have to find a guy willing and able to develop all of that and they’d have to spend time and resources building up that skill set, all for the benefit of being able to run a style of offense that went extinct because other ways of scoring were discovered to be easier and more efficient and made it obsolete.
TP, I actually value the post play/skills you describe. I grew up in the game that played that style. Would we have Kevin McHale (or other great post players of the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s) if he was coming up though HS/prep school today? I am not so sure and, to me, that was some great basketball (and, I enjoy today’s style of play as well).
To clarify, my coaching contrarian comment was meant to favor a style of play contrary to the spread the floor/3 point dominant offensive style. If enough college coaches played a contrary offensive style (post up focused) rather than spreading the floor with everyone at the 3 line, then maybe that would bring back some big post up skill play eventually? I’d like to see bigs with great post play - as you describe - come back.
As an aside, I like the 3 point shot but, I favor the style of play from the 80’s and 90’s NBA. The game had a balance of great post play and great 3 point shooting. As much as I enjoy today’s game, I think it is too much 3 point shot dominant and that has hurt great post up play, imho.
Hopefully, with time the pendulum will swing back some toward balance.
Great discussion!