Dr. Jack Ramsay on Rocket ISOs

jamcracker · 12-14-2000, 05:11 PM

from Dr.Jack's latest mailbag:

Q: I wanted to know what your opinion was on the isolation offense. I watched Phoenix play against Houston earlier this year, and the Rockets used an isolation offense that pulled all their players, including Hakeem Olajuwon, out to the 3-point line on the off side. They then isolated either Steve Francis or Cuttino Mobley on the other side and they basically played one on one. I personally think this is a joke. The illegal defense rules prevent teams from defending this effectively. I don't think that it is good for the game. Basketball is much more fun to watch when the whole team is involved and flowing. Do you feel this is bad for the game, and what rules do you think could be changed or created to remedy it.
Tony Peterson
Mesa, Ariz.

A: Dear Tony,
This question keeps surfacing and my answer remains unchanged. I don't like a steady diet of isolationism either -- taking three players out of a five-player game isn't the way it should be played, although there are some occasions when it's the right thing to do, such as the last shot of a game. But 48 minutes of the same tactic is BORING. The pro game needs some defensive restrictions -- allowing zone defenses would slow the game even more. I'd like to see the NBA eliminate all illegalities except the existing three-second limits on players in the free throw lane on both offense and defense. It would simplify the game, eliminate strictly 1-on-1 play, and necessitate good ball and player movement -- all attractive qualities.

I've been pleasantly surprised. I haven't seen very many Rocket ISOs at all lately. We've been running other sorts of plays and only 3 or 4 ISOs a night. Except for that Grizzlies game when nothing else was working, we've done a good job not running ISOs.

[This message has been edited by jamcracker (edited December 14, 2000).]

heypartner · 12-14-2000, 05:36 PM

Alright, now I have lost complete respect for Dr. Ramsey.

Anyone who would say the NBA needs zone defenses ("eliminate all illegalities") is someone I am never agreeing with again.

Let's just switch to International rules and bring all the sharpshooting, non-dribbling Europeans over here.

This is not college or Europe or streetball. NBA Zones would give way too much advantage to the defense. And boy would we be seeing way more 3 pointers.

Plus, you know the old saying:

"Who is the only person to hold Jordan under double-digits?" Answer, Dean Smith.

The reason for that is excellent zone defenses can more easily force you to beat them going away from your star. UNC's system required all 5 players to beat the zone. That is "true basketball" some may say. I disagree on the NBA level, because the zones would be way too effective. I don't know about any of you (especially season ticket holders), but I am not watching the NBA to see the stars taken out by a zone.

Ramsey is making a moot point imo. No zones is not the problem. The problem is that many teams have no chemistry so they can't execute offense in a system. But, those teams suck, and are never rewarded with much playoff time. So, it is a moot point.

Who actually wants to see Jordan going against a 3-2 zone, or a gimmick zone with a shadow man. Or Hakeem totally unreachable with a pass into a 2-3.

Probably Europeans, but not me!

[This message has been edited by heypartner (edited December 14, 2000).]

SamCassell · 12-14-2000, 05:46 PM

I agree that the zone defense would hurt scoring and the association's star system. I want to see the Shaquilles and Duncans of the league taking shots, not the Ron Harpers and Antonio Daniels.

But I think that too much repetition is bad for the NBA. A diet of solely ISOs or post ups on the left block may win ballgames for an individual club, but its boring to watch.

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tacoma park legend · 12-14-2000, 05:54 PM

I have never had respect for any EPSN "analysts". What's wrong with using a player's ability to break down a defender one on one? The only thing a zone defense does is allow players with bad foot speed to cheat and not move on defense. I guess old Dr. JAck would rather watch the boring ass jazz run their offense. Older announcers/analysts do not like the flash of some of the players today which is why Hubie Brown and Jack Ramsay both said they thought Elton Brand deserved the Rookie of the Year award last year.

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heypartner · 12-14-2000, 05:59 PM

Sam,

Yeah, I think we all agree there. Let the defenses and the better offenses destroy those teams. They do that pretty well in my book. Jordan got the Bulls nowhere until a system was installed, and he learned to use it.

Jack Ramsey, however, wants the *rules* to stop ISOs. This game is so beautiful, because it has few artificial rules. No Zones is artificial, but it keeps the offenses and defenses equal.

Zones would create much repetition, too. Like Arkansas-style, 4 shooters on the perimeter.

[This message has been edited by heypartner (edited December 14, 2000).]

vj23k · 12-14-2000, 06:18 PM

Zone defense is horrible. it will take away driving and posting up. I hate that we can play or have to play against Zone defenses in elementary/junior high/high school/college.

Personally i think you play BETTER defense man to man.(some people at our level still do not understand the concept of zones.

tacoma park legend · 12-14-2000, 06:18 PM

Best of the Sixth Man candidates: Aaron McKie, Kurt Thomas, Jacque Vaughn, Howard Eisley and Scot Pollard.

This was written by Dr Jack Ramsay, what a joke! Cuttino Mobley is not even mentioned when he is clearly the front runner for the award.

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The Cat · 12-14-2000, 06:22 PM

TPL,

That says it all. This guy claims to be a basketball analyst and then doesn't even list Cat in the top 5 or so for 6th man of the Year, when he is CLEARLY the frontrunner, by far? That is unbelievable.

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Rocket River · 12-14-2000, 08:04 PM

Dr Ramsey is wack
If the ran a zone his favorite player
would have been nothing [the big red head]

You should keep it far
no rules FOR the offense
or FOR the defense

Just Rules for the game
I don't like the hand check rule
I don't mean allowing pushing but
I don't like the touch fouls

Zone would deemphasize the Big Man
[which The good Dr loves]
and make the game a parameter game
[see the zone seattle runs]

RocketRiver

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thefranchise3 · 12-14-2000, 08:51 PM

HAVING A ZONE DEFENSE WOULD BE TOTALLY SCREWED. BIG GUYS LIKE SHAQ WOULD JUST GO BACKDOOR ON THE ZONE AND DUNK!

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MManal · 12-14-2000, 09:00 PM

The one thing that bugs me about the college game is the zone defense. This makes it difficult to determine exactly how good certain players are esp the post players. Teams have to be creative to deliver the ball in the post to the big man and it takes a ton of time to set it up and give him enough space to make his move. Whats worse is when people esp writers and such start calling that player soft and having no heart b/c he didnt dominate enough due to no fault of his own. Its really unfair to a lot of players esp the big men. I dont even want to imagine if zones were allowed in the NBA how brutal and ugly it would be. NBA players would be able to completely close off the post, and it would become a jump shooting contest. The zone makes basketball very painful and agonizing to watch, and I hope it never finds its way into the NBA.

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[This message has been edited by MManal (edited December 14, 2000).]

CriscoKidd · 12-14-2000, 09:03 PM

Am I the only one who thinks Dr Jack sounds like Captain Crunch?

How can I get his job?

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JayZ750 · 12-14-2000, 09:34 PM

Does he have a doctorate in professional basketball??

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Behad · 12-14-2000, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by thefranchise3:
....lost of screaming edited.....

Just to let you know I will be online after the game and you and I can have a discussion about BBS posting over the Hangout forum. What'ya say?

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Sergeant at Arms of the Clutch BBS

slcrocket · 12-15-2000, 01:34 AM

I understand (kind of) what Ramsey was saying, except for speaking of that kind of basketball as "BORING." Okay, Houston fans, have we been bored? We may not like the fundamentals of it, or think that it is not the way to win games, but are we ever bored by it?

Think about how many highlight plays are shown on ESPN involving great 1-on-1 moves around the league. Iso's may be many things, but they are not boring, IMHO.

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rimbaud · 12-15-2000, 10:34 AM

"The pro game needs some defensive restrictions -- allowing zone defenses would slow the game even more. I'd like to see the NBA eliminate all illegalities except the existing three-second limits on players in the free throw lane on both offense and defense."

Essentially he is saying:

1. Zone defenses would be bad for pros-slow down games.
2. Taking out defensive rules, which would essentially make zones possible, would be good for the game.

Huh?

Why is he an expert analyst?

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EZLN

JuanValdez · 12-15-2000, 03:34 PM

I like zones. Then again, I'm half European.

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Puedlfor · 12-15-2000, 11:01 PM

The Knicks just scored 58 pts in a loss to the Jazz, after scoring only 68 in a close loss to Toronto. More efficient defenses is the last thing this league needs.

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Digaida · 12-16-2000, 12:09 AM

LOL, great point. Man I sure would want to spend $40 to see a 30-28 thriller. Wow can you believe player A scored 7 points....wow! Lol, that would be the end of the NBA, CBA would be the talk of the town...no way in hell...the Dr. is going to remove the wrong leg if he could, he's going to put you to sleep and then your going to wake up with no "Hotdog and beans"....good ole ESPN....

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Prime Time PLaya · 12-16-2000, 12:14 AM

"DR." Jack Ramsey is probably the funniest basketball analyst. On ESPN, he babbles on about stuff like zone defense like he knows what he is talking about. And I have no idea what the Dr. is for. If he has a PHd, why is he an NBA analyst who goes around being referred to "Dr." Jack? I think TBS should let him and Bill Walton cover their games from now on. The ratings would skyrocket. I mean, who wouldn't want to watch the "Dr." and Bill Walton with his slurred speach analyze the future of Dikembe Mutombo during a Hawks-Bulls game, or Hawks-Clippers game, or Hawks-Celtics game?

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