First, double-teams were at a minimum in the strict one-on-one days, but McHale had more than his share, fewer assists than his share and certainly a Top-5 All Time power forward.
The low post would be a great addition to the Rockets offense. The trick is to have the player who can make the pass out of the double team quickly and to the right player. I have watched enough D-Mo to know he can do it. And after thinking about it for a month I am warming to the idea of trading up to get Drummond. He has the optimal physical set of tools for the center position.
This is why he is the Rockets coach. He is one of the best big man coaches in the league IMO. I think he could turn a guy like Andre Drummond into something special.
McHale actually said the "trick" is to have a low post player who demands a double team, first. I'd be happy with that.
I wonder what McHale thinks of zone defense and officiating today. Because watching Hakeem and Yao, I feel there's an artificial component to declining post play. I felt if the officiating was the same today as in the 80s and 90s, we'd see a lot more post play.
I would like to believe that because of the inclusion of the zone defence in the NBA, it actually dissuade post play since a player can guard a space instead of an actual man. When the ball is about to be thrown to the post, the defense can lean towards its proximity almost double teaming before the post-up. The evolution of the game makes post play obsolete and throw in the influnce of Dirk and you have Bargnani, Al Harrington, Josh Smith, Ryan Anderson, Bonner, Scalabrine, Frye, Brian Cook, Love, Bosh, and other supposed power forwards chucking 3s and playing in the perimeter.
I think this is somewhat an overstatement, since zone is still not really used that much. We'd see much more zone, if it truly were that effective. And the rules are different than college, anyhow. When illegal defense rules were abolished, they also added the defensive 3 second rule, which college does not have. Also, you can't put your forearm on a low post player's back, like you used to be able to. I think the rules somewhat balance out each other, with regards to whether it is more difficult to play low post or not. I think we all agree with McHale that low post play is historically weak right now, but he doesn't seem to say it is because of rule changes (or zone)...and I agree with him. I don't think the reason is as easy as saying it's a rule change
Thats so true. Most good post players are good from and early age. Now days, with the influence of the euros. guys want to play further from the basket. Thats why I don't think Davis will be anything special offensively. He's never played post in his life! Most of the skilled post players are those 6'8 ish guys who have been playing on the blocks since aau ball. Jefferson and randolph are 2 of the best post players in the league. Both have basically been on the blocks since they wwere in jr high. Alot of guys want to start shooting jumpers before they master low post play. Mchale helped garnett get really good in the post before he started moving out. Like he said, all you need is that jump hook over both shoulders.
Couple points ... Players want to play outside in so they can make the highlight reels , throw it down over an opponent .... Its sexy , a jump hook while worth just as much just isnt sexy. I dont agree that defenders dont respect post play .... If that was the case , Luis Scola wouldnt have a job in the NBA. Meyers Leonard is way ahead of the game because of his ability to pass out of the post. Book him a Rocket. He's a McHale kinda player.
it's part of the reason why people are going to hakeem in droves these days. The only 2 players whose post game would transfer to the current nba are his and shaqs, and shaq's post game was more genetic than anything, you can't just become a 320 pound behemoth.
McHale was one of the most cerebral players ever. He understood footwork, angles and the fact that the offensive player always has a split second advantage, thus should be able to get the shots he wants. He was Hakeem Olajuwon with less athleticism. The 5 minute video clip shown should be lesson enough for all post players in the NBA to watch, study, practice and improve. How many post players do you see EVER try and improve position by moving their man up the lane, instead of out to the wing? Zero. As for the lack of passing. It's kind of like Kobe thinking Shaq should have passed it to him more. Bird and McHale are both great HOF players, some of the top to ever play at their position. Of course both would think they should be shooting more and passing left. That said, McHale shot over 60% from the field twice, only shot under 50% once in his 13 year career, his final season. He's a career 55% shooter, and 61% true shooting percentage (which adjust for 3 pointers and FT's), both of which are better than Bird. Not that he was better than Bird. I'd rather Bird have the ball and the shot, but McHale was one heck of an amazing, efficient scorer, too. Um, you missed the first part... command the double team. I can pass well out of the post, too... that won't make me a capable NBA post player.
There used to be more a "pass it to big man" mentality and let him go to work. You ENCOURAGED the big guys to go up strong when they get the ball. Whether they had skill or not was another thing, you don't want big men overvaluing their ability & throwing up junk like the occassional Sam Dalembert shot. But there was more expectation that you're not getting the ball back. But its been about guards almost being "manipulative" on the game, to make themselves relevant. Trying to turn big man behemoths into "distributors" instead of dominators, making them "garbage men" instead of scorers so Allen Iverson can get more shots for himself. Wings are more aesthetically pleasing to watch for sure, but give back some of the game to boring big men.
Didn't Davis play a lot of guard until a growth spurt saw him shoot up to his present height? He'll need some time to fill out his frame or, at least, toughen up enough to really handle the post. Let the guards score and let him pass them the ball (at which he excels) and destroy the opponent on the defensive end (ditto). He will need really good coaching, on and off the court, to reach his potential as a post player; but I think that'll be no more than the 14-16 ppg range. Which is fine, if Gordon and draft pick #10 are handling the points.
The shortened season didnt help along with that. It a big DISSERVICE to the Rockets as anyone in the league. The front office, coaching AND players like Patterson got screwed over by it. It didnt give proper time for coaching to change over into their brand of ball away from the previous approach. Especially from Adelman system into low post oriented system. Didnt give time for McHale to instill his imprint, or for players to adjust to his ways. Its almost like everythings' a "what you see is what you get". If anyone has horrible first impressions, no time for even repairing that gotta just go with it, 4 games in 5 days coming up. It doesnt mean that the Rockets woulda have a better record. But at least now we can see a full coach instead of a "new hire".
Wow, I'm forced to agree with you here DD. Didn't he hear about a little thing known as the zone defense? Also, I think the league has moved away from that style of play because those big post up centers McHale remembers are simply too few and far between these days.
