Random Idea: Berry in the post

[pln2013]

To be clear from the start: Do I think this will happen? No, not really. But I think it could be effective.

Joel Berry is our best player. There's no question about that. He's also our strongest player relative to his position - you won't find many PGs who can match Berry's strength.

I'd like to see us take advantage of Berry's strength by posting him up against PGs. We got him a quick look in the post against Gonzaga and he hit a nice hook shot. If we got him that type of look on a regular basis, we could do some interesting things with it. I think it'd be a fun wrinkle.

Would it work against Trevon Duval and his 8'3" standing reach (vs Berry's ~7'8")? No. But in many cases I think it would work. Especially in a super-small (Maye at the 5) lineup, against which defenses couldn't collapse.

 

[dadika13]

 

[soap - new and improved]

 

[al would]

 

[Spacegrass]

I mean Roy ran McCants in the post some in college which was effective. But it wasn't a go to strategy , more to mix it up especially when he had smaller guards on him. Berry doesn't really have a size advantage on anyone at this level.

 

[imajericho]

No

 

[pln2013]

I mean Roy ran McCants in the post some in college which was effective. But it wasn't a go to strategy , more to mix it up especially when he had smaller guards on him. Berry doesn't really have a size advantage on anyone at this level.

Size advantage, no. Strength advantage, yes. Chris Paul is roughly Berry's size, and he had 31 post-up possessions in 61 games last year. It's a wrinkle, not a primary strategy.

 

[gary-7]

I mean Roy ran McCants in the post some in college which was effective. But it wasn't a go to strategy , more to mix it up especially when he had smaller guards on him. Berry doesn't really have a size advantage on anyone at this level.

Actually McCants routinely posted up guys taller than him (dude was a beast)... Sometimes they were called iso plays, sometimes they just happened.

Bottom line though is you're not gonna see our PGs do that on any sort of called play. Butter posted guys from time to time (because of his ability to pass out of the post like an old-school Pivot-man) but he was the exception. And yeah JB showed he can do it against bigger guys in the Gonzaga game but that was improvised. A basic rule of our system is the PG never turns his back on the D.

 

[Spacegrass]

Size advantage, no. Strength advantage, yes. Chris Paul is roughly Berry's size, and he had 31 post-up possessions in 61 games last year. It's a wrinkle, not a primary strategy.

But you have to have post moves. UNC really needs Berry to stick to what he is and does well not things he isn't designed for. This team doesn't have the high end talent luxury of 2005.

 

[Spacegrass]

Actually McCants routinely posted up guys taller than him (dude was a beast)... Sometimes they were called iso plays, sometimes they just happened.

Bottom line though is you're not gonna see our PGs do that on any sort of called play. Butter posted guys from time to time (because of his ability to pass out of the post like an old-school Pivot-man) but he was the exception. And yeah JB showed he can do it against bigger guys in the Gonzaga game but that was improvised. A basic rule of our system is the PG never turns his back on the D.

McCant's was way bigger than his 6'3-6'4 height suggested. Had close to a 7'0 wingspan and big broad shoulders. He played and felt like he was 6'7 on the court. It still disappoints me he was such a head case because I think he could of had such a good NBA career.

 

[gary-7]

McCant's was way bigger than his 6'3-6'4 height suggested. Had close to a 7'0 wingspan and big broad shoulders. He played and felt like he was 6'7 on the court. It still disappoints me he was such a head case because I think he could of had such a good NBA career.

You and me both.

 

[Tom79]

As a wrinkle, sure thing it could work real well. IMO.

 

[Thurgood Jenkins]

Next time call Mr. Nice Guy!

 

[DSouthr]

Size advantage, no. Strength advantage, yes. Chris Paul is roughly Berry's size, and he had 31 post-up possessions in 61 games last year. It's a wrinkle, not a primary strategy.

OK, so we have Larry Bird and Chris Paul, when do we get Wilt, Jabbar, and Pistol Pete? LOL