How we gonna play defense down low with no bigs on the floor?
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The game is evolving. Look at UVA and Texas Tech. Both were the top rated defenses, and they built around long, athletic bigs instead of the more cumbersome PF/C model. My guess is that if Oates could build his dream team, he wants his 4th man to be a 6-7 or 6-8 stretch forward. Someone tall enough to guard the post, but athletic enough to spread the floor.
You’ll probably also see more varying defenses in his style. Avery tended to stick with the NBA model of man-to-man at all cost. Whereas coaches like Oates who build around athletic/undersized teams tend to play with more pressure. Haven’t watched his teams play, but I’d be willing to bet they played more up-tempo zones than mtm. If that’s the case, I’d find it refreshing. Not to speak ill of the fired, but Avery’s defenses were about as fresh as last year’s gym shoes.
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