Ok, ok, before everyone goes off, let me explain. I have heard the following players listed as examples of people who can now play or would have played until they were much much older as the result of zone defenses: Mark Egan Jeff Malone Jeff Hornacek John Stockton Steve Kerr Matt Bullard Glen Rice This is a list of players I've read about who zones will most likely hurt: Shaquille O'Neal Dikembe Mutumbo Mark Jackson Jalen Rose Does anyone see a pattern? Several writers have said that the NBA hopes to bring back the 18-foot jumpshot with this rule. They hope to take away the iso and drive to the basket and replace it with jump shots from 15 to 18 feet out. What has been overlooked in all of this is that the 3 new rules together add up make it even tougher on offenses than ever. The 8 second rule forces teams to rush up the floor and leaves them vulnerable to the press. Taking away the touching fould will allow guards to be pushed around by defenders - remember Derek Harper on Kenny Smith? Personally, I hope that we are looking at average scores in the 70's to 80's at the end of November next year. To me, the entire process seemed ridiculous. Knowing the rules committee wouldn't approve these changes because it is made up of GM's and coaches, David Stern appointed his buddies (Jerry Colangelo, Rod Thorn and Stu Jackson) to study the issue. What a shock the did something like this even though nearly every player and coach thinks it is a terrible idea. Ok, rant over. ------------------ And then, depression set in...
Jeff I assume you meant Mark Eaton? I heard the announcers during a Jazz game (can't remember which team's), mention that Hornacek was coming back next season. This was before the official rule change announcement. ------------------
Last I checked, Jeff Malone and Glen Rice were black... I know what you are saying, but there are plenty of African-American players who can shoot the rock and would benefit from a zone defense. Can you imagine how much it will help guys like Ewing, Mo Taylor, Hubert Davis, Wesley Person, etc.? ------------------ I'm about to boldly go where many men have gone before.
Ray Allan , Allan Houston, Steve Smith , Reggie Miller, Dana Barros, ------------------ "Break off the block like Maurice Green" --- Steve Francis President of the Moochie Norris fan club.
Everyone on that list but Patrick Ewing. He hasn't been able to consistently hit jumpers since he broke his wrist like three years ago. ------------------
Ewing will be somewhat useful to be a human wall on defense in the zone... Just so long he moves out of the paint every 2.9 seconds... I don't think the man who travels everytime would dare get a 3 second call on defense... ------------------ "Awesome baby!" Dick Vitale
