Going to discuss a bit of sports and a bit of music tonight.
First of all, as you probably know, January has been a rough
month for music fans of my age. We lost David Bowie, Glenn Frey of the Eagles,
and now Paul Kantner of the Jefferson Airplane/Starship. Of course the stars of my era are now at the
age where this is going to happen more often. The journey down memory lane will
become all too familiar.
And the kids don’t want to hear how much better our music is
than theirs, yet if you look at the three people who just passed the diversity of
styles is hard to find in today’s world. And I am not saying which is better,
but so much of today’s music seems very repetitive. The club music just seems a
beat down. Of course during the era of the above artists, the music was more of
an experience. Yes people danced and went to clubs, but it was more concert
oriented with many of the popular acts of the 60s and 70s. In this atmosphere
the development of music themes and experimentation with new ideas was
encouraged. Today the emphasis is on the dance scene, so we get more of the rhythmic
pounding.
And it is not all this club scene; there are some good pop
type artists like Adele to the more alternative sounds of bands like AWOL
Nation. Of course the Hip Hop scene or what they call it now is very popular
and it at times is very influenced by rhythm and blues, yet sometimes it can be
repetitive. I think Bruno Mars though is a great example of evolving the rhythm
and blues style making it his own and bringing it forward to today’s world. So
no matter what we say there is talent and good talent today.
Overall though I feel the difference in the variety of and overall
music is much more pronounced in the 60s and 70s. There is the popular
statement of my generation: Our people knew how to play their instruments. And
if you look at the above artists you see people who did play, sing, and most
importantly write their music. It was a wonderful era and these people and soon
unfortunately many others will be missed.
Okay it is time for the arm chair coach comment of the day:
I have an idea on how to beat the Golden State Warriors. No I haven’t been
drinking tonight and all the arm chair Monday morning quarterbacks are laughing
at this statement.
And realistically much would have to go your way, but there
are strategies that could be viable. And yes I saw most of the dismantling of
the Spurs and then the cool we got this third quarter against the Mavs when the
Mavs got close the other night. And this
is where I got part of my idea. They let Golden State do what it does best,
besides getting unbelievably hot at a moments’ notice.
I do not watch the Warriors every night, but I think
everyone knows their athleticism, speed, along with their shooting is a key
factor to their success. And the way they can space a floor certainly takes
advantage of these attributes.
So the first goal is to force them in shrinking the floor. I
do not know how many times there were back door cuts because the Spurs went out
to guard them on the three point line, including the Spurs bigs guarding the
players playing the 4 and 5 for the Warriors. The Spurs then the Mavs just
looked at of sync. This was set up so you have to discipline yourself to try
and force them off the perimeter and into the paint.
Oh yeah you say. They tore it up in the paint, especially
Curry against the Spurs and Klay against the Mavs. Their ability to make 3s at
the drop of a hat makes this so much easier for them. Yet the better game is to
play them 2 points on 2 points. Do not let them get away with two players
hitting 6 of 12 threes in the game. You don’t want to give them the paint, but
you want them to attack the paint so even if they make the basket it is easier
for you to try and make up 2 points than try to keep up with their 3 point
shooting. And this is just the back
strategy.
The main focus while playing defense like I mentioned is to
force/encourage them into the paint so this means going around screens and
chasing them all over the place and when they turn the corner on a screen and
head for the basket this is where you have to adjust. I wish I could draw on
Word so I could show you this flow, but here goes:
Curry or Klay go around a Bogut or Green screen and if the
guard can get around the screen and only be right behind them then Curry/Klay
head for the basket. Their speed means the defending guard cannot keep up in
most cases. So the 5 must adjust to the driving Warrior, their passing skills
are so strong that they pass to the open big when the defending 5 etc makes the
move towards them. The first difference is the guard heads straight to fronting
the big in the lane. If your big positions himself well and cuts off the basket,
but keeps himself in check Curry will look to pass to the rolling Green or
whoever, having the defending guard not double Curry allows that guard to cut
off if not step in front of the pass which forces Curry to make a third choice
and hopefully by this time he is limited in his options or puts up a mortal
shoot.
Now the next choice is for a kick out to the corner for a
three and Warriors are one of the best at this so the defenders must stay home
no matter how much you think it would be better for the wing defender to come
in and double Curry/Klay/Green on the drive. You must double in the lane with
the other big or bring in the person covering whoever is at the perimeter at
the top of the key. This would be the hardest pass back for the driving
Warrior. Your goal is to force a shot by the driving Warrior over a big or
trying to pass back to another Warrior coming into the lane to follow and
having the defending guard on the original drive now covering the passing lane
you have a chance for turnovers or bad shoots in the lane. The Warriors are
good enough that they will get their share, but as long as you keep them honest
inside and limit their three point shooting you have a chance defensively.
Offensively you have to rely on what you do best, but if you
can keep them shooting twos you can keep them close. There are a few extra or
slightly different things you will need to do to give your offense a chance.
You need to run your offense through whoever Curry is guarding. You must keep
him occupied on defense. Yes he is good and can get turnovers so you have to
work it well, but he must play defense and as much as possible.
Second you have to get into transition as fast as possible,
you will not beat them up the floor on a regular basis, but you got to move it
to get started. Then if you go to half court offense go to the above strategy.
And the running has to be done. You may have to use your bench a bit more than
you normally do so having a deep small ball bench will be beneficial. And even
when they make baskets you have to get back up the court. Remember when Kurt Rambis
would literally take the ball just as it was coming out of the basket step out
of bounds with one foot and get it to Magic Johnson on the run almost the whole
game for the 80’s Lakers. Yes I am talking about this level of intensity the
whole game. And it has to be under control even with quick passing and Warrior
defending guards with good hand speed reaching in to take a swipe at it. If you don’t beat the Warriors up the Court
then you are playing half court offense and making Curry play defense.
This is just a framework. Every team has their own strengths
they will have to play to and play well, but limiting the Warrior spacing so
they lose some of the advantage of their speed and athleticism and keeping the
ball movement in a smaller window gives your defense a chance to guard people
without doubling too much and leaving people open on the perimeter. Yes Curry/Thompson/Green
etc will step back and try to bring you come to them and if you don’t they will
shoot, but if you stay disciplined and put your best defender out there so you
don’t chase them and create the space you have a better chance. Yes your bigs will need to stay home to
prevent the back doors etc… disciplined and awareness are going to be two of
your best friends.
Just some crazy basketball dreaming on a very pleasant evening
here in North Texas.
Peace out
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