"Life is about the management of risk."
Every decision calculates risk and benefit. Sixteen years ago, I watched a sectional championship evaporate...maybe a state championship. Both teams had all-scholastic point guards and literally "identical twin" towers.
The responsibilities are simple, written out in the "game plan." The post doubles across, x3 drops to take away the block/layup and x1 "zones" the top and opposite wing. But three times, x3 didn't rotate and one team scored a layup. A one-point loss with three uncontested layups. We only get so many bites at the apple.
Wilt Chamberlain's Kansas Jayhawks faced UNC in the 1957 final. Carolina often triple-teamed (above) Chamberlain, holding him to 23 points. Carolina won 54-53 in triple overtime.
When we double the post, we plan to limit a dominant post player or force bad decisions and execution from less skilled ones.
Doubling the post forces help and rotation on our defense. Take away the post and give away the opposite wing (see Figure 1 above).
In Del Harris's Winning Defense (Masters Press, 1993), he points out the pros and cons of doubling the post. Here are some highlights:
1. Too much of any technique is counter-productive because good teams adjust.
2. The ability of post players varies. Some score well or pass well, and some do both or neither well.
3. Teams that shoot well may take advantage of passes out of the post.
4. Double teams may weaken the defensive rebounding.
5. The game situation may define whether or when to take chances.
Sometimes video helps us visualize.
UCONN is facing zone and Syracuse doubles the short corner. The ball goes to the cutter, but note how the opposite wing is open although the help is late.
There's no "black and white" decision, but it's important to manage risk.
Lagniappe. David Thorpe with Chris Oliver
"I'm pretty much paid to be objective all the time..."
“We’re all looking for special people, right? At every level, until you get to the highest levels of the league in the NBA, you aren’t going to get the guy you think you’re going to get . . you’re going to keep trying and you’re going to pass up on a lot of other kids that can help you win games.” (Character)
“You had to feel safe to make the mistake . . if you’re not going to make the mistake in practice, you’re not going to ever be good enough to even try the move in a game.”
“I think our job is to help players fall in love with the sport because a necessary ingredient to being good at it is to really work [at it].”
“Right now the two best guys in the league at sudden stops and sudden starts are Luka Doncic and James Harden so if it’s good enough for those guys, how are we not doing it?"
“It’s something we talk about in all aspects of life, embrace the suck. It’s okay to be bad at something. It’s not okay to just accept it unless it’s not important. And if it’s not important, what are you worried about?”