Why NBA defenses don't stay in a zone
Vox Populi
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Tark's belief that his players needed to rest on defense is one of the reasons why he was arguably the worst coach in the history of the NBA.
In any case, full-time zones would be shredded in the NBA. Obviously, fast breaks are effective against any kind of defense. But because zones need time for all the defenders to assume their assigned positions, early-offense situations would create total confusion and costly mismatches since the defenders would not be responsible for guarding specific opponents.
Even half-court offenses would decimate each and every zone that might be utilized on a full-time basis. That's because NBA hot-shots are far superior to their collegiate equivalents. Plus, they're better passers and better prepared to meet all on-court contingencies.
Too much zoning also allows the offensive team to settle into a highly productive rhythm, which is why zones are used in the NBA only as a surprise change-of-pace.
Also, zoning opponents makes a team extremely vulnerable to offensive rebounds, simply because the defenders are not responsible for boxing out any specific individual. And overloading an area near the basket will inevitably create an extra — and unaccounted for — offensive rebounder.
But the primary reason why zones have such limited value in the NBA is that the ball can be passed from Point A to Point B much quicker than any defender can cover the same ground.
Or, as Red Holzman used to say: "Zone, schmone. Sooner or later somebody's got to guard somebody."
Straight Shooting
The news about the gun-toting Plaxico Burress recalls all the professional basketball players who were also well-armed: Dennis Rodman, Roger Brown, Jayson Williams, plus various members of Allen Iverson's posse.
What's the attraction/necessity of these guys packing in public?
NBA roundup
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Friday's action
- LeBron, Cavs crush fading Celtics
- Magic make quick work of Hawks
- Miller, Sixers surge past Bobcats
- Bosh, Raptors too good for Grizz
- Butler heats up for Hornets vs. Clips
- T-Mac, Rockets hold off Thunder
- Bulls beat up on wimpy Wizards
- Bucks overcome Carter, Nets
- Pistons at Nuggets
- Heat at Kings
- Pacers at Lakers
- Mavericks at Suns
FOXSports.com analysis
- Rosen: Hawks can't hang with Magic
- Hill: The importance of home court
- Rosen: Rose an impressive rookie
- Galinsky: NBA Power Rankings
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Projecting the aura of power is one reason. Mess with me and you'll swallow a bullet! In some cases, this is the aftermath of growing up powerless and poor in a culture where only successful men — like drug dealers and pimps — carried guns. Another reason is that some misguided players believe that their world-class athletic ability enables them to act like gods who walk the earth and to demand unquestioning obeisance from lower life forms.
Other players feel the need to protect themselves — and their neck ice and diamond earring studs — against armed thieves. In truth, several pro athletes have indeed been mugged at gunpoint.
But if the danger is so great, then why should a multi-millionaire athlete bedeck himself with such costly baubles to begin with? And why make late-night appearances in nightclubs where the booze (and the drugs?) flows freely enough to rouse the larcenous hearts of some other attendant celebrants?
In the end, it's all about ego. The flaunting of wealth, celebrity and physical prowess. Look at me, everybody! I'm who all of you want to be!
Whether they have a license to carry a concealed weapon or not, guns and pro athletes are always a volatile mix.
Travels with Charley
Overnight lodging on the road was always an iffy business in the CBA. There were top-notch hotels in La Crosse, Wisc., Rockford, Ill., Rapid City, S.D., and sometimes in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. On the other hand, low-rent motels were SOP in Lancaster, Pa., Sioux Falls, S.D., and Pensacola, Fla., with the worst accommodations being in Grand Rapids, Mich. That's where there was always at least a four-inch gap between the bottom of the outside door and the threshold, allowing snow and/or frigid air free entry into the room. Plus, the heating system would bang on and off all night long.
But perhaps the best hotel was the Hilton in Albany — classy, cozy, with excellent restaurants and snack shops on the premises and situated only a short walk from the arena.
However, one fateful morning, a CBA coach, who had played in the NBA and was also infamous for his skirt chasing, had breakfast in the Albany Hilton and created a XXX-dilemma for the entire league.
It seems that the coach in question was served his meal by a beautiful waitress. When she didn't respond to his slightly suggestive verbal come-ons, he left her a huge tip plus a note scrawled on a paper napkin. The note boasted about his sexual prowess in no uncertain terms and included his room number.
Turned out that the waitress was the daughter of Albany's Archbishop! The result of the ensuing hullabaloo was that all CBA teams were banned from the Hilton. Instead, visiting teams were housed in still another drafty, noisy, filthy motel on the outskirts of town.
Indeed, the difficulty in getting a good night's sleep on the road was one important reason why many CBA teams were virtually unbeatable on their home courts.
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