12-16-2013, 11:22 PM
I'm a little more hopeful, but not much.
The way I see it, it's either six of one thing, or half-dozen of another.
Meaning, in the games where Chiney scores between 20 and 30 points there is going to be a lot less scoring done by the other players. In the last game Chiney scored under 20, but everyone else pretty much contributed nicely, so there was more balance on the scoreboard. However, I believe there were some grumblings about not getting the ball in to Chiney more often, especially when she was down there working so hard to get open.
Tonight, it seemed that everyone made a very concerted effort to look to Chiney as the first option, and to get the ball into her with a lob pass as often as possible. Therefore, that meant less scoring opportunities for everyone else. Instead of looking to score, they are looking to pass the ball, and since Chiney is not creating shots for herself, they are doing a pretty good job of creating scoring opportunities for her instead of for themselves.
I have to believe this is the way Tara wants it. Chiney's catch-and-shoot basket right under the bucket is going to be a higher percentage shot than someone else's shot beyond the arc, or even in the paint. So, as a coach do you go with your sure-shot first and foremost, or do you allow others to begin creating shots for themselves, rather than settling for shooting only if they happen to find themselves open?
Personally, I think now that Chiney has reached her 2000 point mark Tara should start doing even more to prep the younger players for next year. She gave them good playing time today, but they could stand to be in the heat of things earlier in order to get that kind of experience and gain some confidence. Some of them still seem afraid to take chances for fear of being yanked out.
That said, I have reservations about Tennessee as well. I think we play far too timidly and hesitantly in the opening minutes. TN will be going to war from the very first seconds of the game. Can we keep up?
Will our team be encouraged to play aggressive defense against an offensive-minded team? Will they be rewarded for that aggressive defense by sitting on the bench? Will some players (who have figured out that if they foul they will come out of the game) step up defensively and stop allowing themselves to be scored on at will?
Is there a possibility that players will be permitted to see the entire floor and get the ball to the open man, even if it's not Chiney?
Will Chiney be allowed to kick out when she is triple-teamed?
Can we pass the ball a little quicker to take advantage of opportunities?
Can we complete a fast break by throwing the ball up to the runner instead of slowly dribbling to a spot until the defense is in place and set up?
So many questions, so little time! :-\
The way I see it, it's either six of one thing, or half-dozen of another.
Meaning, in the games where Chiney scores between 20 and 30 points there is going to be a lot less scoring done by the other players. In the last game Chiney scored under 20, but everyone else pretty much contributed nicely, so there was more balance on the scoreboard. However, I believe there were some grumblings about not getting the ball in to Chiney more often, especially when she was down there working so hard to get open.
Tonight, it seemed that everyone made a very concerted effort to look to Chiney as the first option, and to get the ball into her with a lob pass as often as possible. Therefore, that meant less scoring opportunities for everyone else. Instead of looking to score, they are looking to pass the ball, and since Chiney is not creating shots for herself, they are doing a pretty good job of creating scoring opportunities for her instead of for themselves.
I have to believe this is the way Tara wants it. Chiney's catch-and-shoot basket right under the bucket is going to be a higher percentage shot than someone else's shot beyond the arc, or even in the paint. So, as a coach do you go with your sure-shot first and foremost, or do you allow others to begin creating shots for themselves, rather than settling for shooting only if they happen to find themselves open?
Personally, I think now that Chiney has reached her 2000 point mark Tara should start doing even more to prep the younger players for next year. She gave them good playing time today, but they could stand to be in the heat of things earlier in order to get that kind of experience and gain some confidence. Some of them still seem afraid to take chances for fear of being yanked out.
That said, I have reservations about Tennessee as well. I think we play far too timidly and hesitantly in the opening minutes. TN will be going to war from the very first seconds of the game. Can we keep up?
Will our team be encouraged to play aggressive defense against an offensive-minded team? Will they be rewarded for that aggressive defense by sitting on the bench? Will some players (who have figured out that if they foul they will come out of the game) step up defensively and stop allowing themselves to be scored on at will?
Is there a possibility that players will be permitted to see the entire floor and get the ball to the open man, even if it's not Chiney?
Will Chiney be allowed to kick out when she is triple-teamed?
Can we pass the ball a little quicker to take advantage of opportunities?
Can we complete a fast break by throwing the ball up to the runner instead of slowly dribbling to a spot until the defense is in place and set up?
So many questions, so little time! :-\