What new wrinkle would you like to see ?

[DSouthr]

Considering the players we will have for next season what new wrinkle would you like to see on offense and what wrinkle on defense would you like to see?

On offense I would like to see us do a lot more screening inside the paint, big for big and roll off to another screen and then rotate for the ball entry and attack the defender inside the block charge circle.. I would especially like to see a LOT more of that from Meeks, at times he seems to go down to a spot inside and get stuck, want to see him really working hard to screen screen and roll, catch the entry and attack the defender;s body.

On defense, easy for me, I would LOVE to see us switch defenses much more, man to trapping to zones. Keep them off balance, don't let them settle in and be able to attack the same defense. Sooner or later any set defense can be effectively attacked if you get the same looks at it over and over. Teams have figured our help man can be attacked with high screens that force mismatches when we don't have the length to switch off.

 

[gary-7]

Considering the players we will have for next season what new wrinkle would you like to see on offense and what wrinkle on defense would you like to see?

On offense I would like to see us do a lot more screening inside the paint, big for big and roll off to another screen and then rotate for the ball entry and attack the defender inside the block charge circle.. I would especially like to see a LOT more of that from Meeks, at times he seems to go down to a spot inside and get stuck, want to see him really working hard to screen screen and roll, catch the entry and attack the defender;s body.

On defense, easy for me, I would LOVE to see us switch defenses much more, man to trapping to zones. Keep them off balance, don't let them settle in and be able to attack the same defense. Sooner or later any set defense can be effectively attacked if you get the same looks at it over and over. Teams have figured our help man can be attacked with high screens that force mismatches when we don't have the length to switch off.

Not new, but with this team on offense I'd love to see a lot of Hi-Lo action from Meeks to Hicks, and some two-man-game isos with JB and Hicks in particular.

On defense, going to more hard traps vs ball screens, and more 30 and 40 in general.

 

[TPFKAPFS]

This year we CAN start the necessary length to switch all perimeter screens. If we play a lineup with TP and JJ, alongside Hicks, JB, and TB, we certainly have the versatility to pull it off much better. And it would contrast better to the trapping/hard hedge we do with Meeks and KW/BRob in.

On offense, I agree that we should get a steady diet of Hi/Lo post action. We should play more pick and roll/ pop too with I assume better shooting next year.

 

[gary-7]

This year we CAN start the necessary length to switch all perimeter screens. If we play a lineup with TP and JJ, alongside Hicks, JB, and TB, we certainly have the versatility to pull it off much better. And it would contrast better to the trapping/hard hedge we do with Meeks and KW/BRob in.

On offense, I agree that we should get a steady diet of Hi/Lo post action. We should play more pick and roll/ pop too with I assume better shooting next year.

Yeah, I get the vibe that JB is going to be alpha-dogging it and be more aggressive in creating his shot as well as driving the ball off our half-court continuity, which means our wings should get multiple open looks.

 

[Archer2]

Not new, but with this team on offense I'd love to see a lot of Hi-Lo action from Meeks to Hicks, and some two-man-game isos with JB and Hicks in particular.

On defense, going to more hard traps vs ball screens, and more 30 and 40 in general.

The first thing that came to my mind was using Kennedy in the high post to take advantage of his ability to pass and hit the 15 footer.

I also love the idea of switching defenses more, specifically playing more zone. We have the personnel to run a very effective zone, IMO.

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

I've been one of those calling for more Kennedy in the high post, but let me point to something else.

We have a guy who might be the best SF in the nation.

How about running some plays for him?

I doubt this will happen, but I hope it will. The reason I doubt it is because we have had some really good SFs here in recent years. Barnes, Reggie and PJ come quickly to mind. But did Roy set up plays for them to drive? Hardly ever. They were pretty much on their own. Without screens or other set plays, they often started their drives too deep. Which allowed the defense to converge. As a consequence, they were much less successful driving than they should have been, given their talent. Reggie was an exception, but that was mainly because he only drove when he saw a clear path. So while he was pretty successful when he did drive, he didn't score on drives that much because he was reluctant to drive.

I'm pretty confident that Roy will tweak his standard front-line-focused offense to suit Isaiah's skills. But I'm hoping he will also figure out how to make better use of Justin. Justin is good enough to be a star without much help. And Berry can get him the ball. But he could be great with more set plays or other help.

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

I would also love to see us press. We have quickness, length and depth. Why not?

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

That same quickness and length should be effective playing zone, too, I would think. The conventional wisdom is that Roy doesn't like zone. But still....

With several sharp defenders on the squad - including some starters - we might even benefit from playing some box and 1 or triangle and 2.

Especially true if some of our bigs continue to have fouling or stamina issues.

 

[Archer2]

Another advantage of putting Kennedy in the high post is opening up the lane more and facilitating drives/cuts to the basket for our athletic wings. Plus, I guarantee that Kennedy would have far fewer shots blocked at the elbow than planted directly, and I mean directly, under the basket.

 

[gary-7]

I've been one of those calling for more Kennedy in the high post, but let me point to something else.

We have a guy who might be the best SF in the nation.

How about running some plays for him?

I doubt this will happen, but I hope it will. The reason I doubt it is because we have had some really good SFs here in recent years. Barnes, Reggie and PJ come quickly to mind. But did Roy set up plays for them to drive? Hardly ever. They were pretty much on their own. Without screens or other set plays, they often started their drives too deep. Which allowed the defense to converge. As a consequence, they were much less successful driving than they should have been, given their talent. Reggie was an exception, but that was mainly because he only drove when he saw a clear path. So while he was pretty successful when he did drive, he didn't score on drives that much because he was reluctant to drive.

I'm pretty confident that Roy will tweak his standard front-line-focused offense to suit Isaiah's skills. But I'm hoping he will also figure out how to make better use of Justin. Justin is good enough to be a star without much help. And Berry can get him the ball. But he could be great with more set plays or other help.

Well, remember this: Justin has a coveted Roy "green light".

Roy also has a set play in Man designed for the 3 to get a clear baseline drive, as well as in Zone for the short corner entry. The 3 can (and has) been used as the shooter in the elevator-screen play (can't remember the name) where the shooter filters up to the key from the paint through successive screens. Last season Marcus got most of those, but either Wing can be used and JJ was at times and I imagine will be this season.

 

[DSouthr]

It is more than a play being called for a guy, the guy has to put himself in the position to be able to execute it and the defense has to grant it meaning Justin has to take responsibility for putting himself in that good position to run the set. if that option isn't there in a way that Justin can finish it then the set will switch to the second option. I think we can all agree that Justin has to be more aggressive in getting himself in position. Joel is the type of PG that will get you the ball if he feels you are in a position to finish with it, Roy will call plays for you if you are putting yourself in position to finish it. But you have to work to put yourself in that position or the wheel will turn to someone else. You got to work off the ball to get that position, those elevator screens didn't just present themselves to Marcus, he worked his butt off to get the position that allowed them to be set.

Justin has to work harder off the ball and not just settle in to a spot or just rotate the ball up top when it goes to him. Justin has a green light to shoot when he feels he has a shot but he doesn't always force the action and so far I have not seen him as a guy that puts the ball on the floor strong consistently. One of the problems is so many teams use small ball now days and many use 2 guards as wings putting many small forwards like Justin at a quickness disadvantage. You counter that by allowing Justin to use his length to shoot over the smaller defenders. Some of the bigger wings, like Winslow did for duke, can use their girth and strength to physically work their way around the smaller defender but Justin is not that physically strong guy. I would like to see Roy try isolate Justin more inside and let him post up the smaller defenders but our bigs don't do the greatest job of clearing out the longer defenders to allow Justin the length advantage inside. And with as much zone as we see thrown at us it makes it harder for our wings to penetrate and have sets run for them.

I will be the first one to agree, I want to see a little bit more alpha dawg in Justin, in other words I want him more in attack mode and when ya get in to attack mode, the ball will find you in our system, no matter what position you play. Just my opinion...

 

[DSouthr]

Well, remember this: Justin has a coveted Roy "green light".

Roy also has a set play in Man designed for the 3 to get a clear baseline drive, as well as in Zone for the short corner entry. The 3 can (and has) been used as the shooter in the elevator-screen play (can't remember the name) where the shooter filters up to the key from the paint through successive screens. Last season Marcus got most of those, but either Wing can be used and JJ was at times and I imagine will be this season.

http://thebasketballplaybook.com/ncaa/set-of-the-day-101315-unc-tar-heels-elevator/

 

[gary-7]

http://thebasketballplaybook.com/ncaa/set-of-the-day-101315-unc-tar-heels-elevator/

Yeah, I always call it the Elevator play... can't remember the other name for it. Gets it's name from the shooter working his way up to the key, and the 4 and 5 men leaving a gap for him then setting a double screen like closing the elevator door. Gets us an open three look more often than not.

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

It is more than a play being called for a guy, the guy has to put himself in the position to be able to execute it and the defense has to grant it meaning Justin has to take responsibility for putting himself in that good position to run the set. if that option isn't there in a way that Justin can finish it then the set will switch to the second option. I think we can all agree that Justin has to be more aggressive in getting himself in position. Joel is the type of PG that will get you the ball if he feels you are in a position to finish with it, Roy will call plays for you if you are putting yourself in position to finish it. But you have to work to put yourself in that position or the wheel will turn to someone else. You got to work off the ball to get that position, those elevator screens didn't just present themselves to Marcus, he worked his butt off to get the position that allowed them to be set.

Justin has to work harder off the ball and not just settle in to a spot or just rotate the ball up top when it goes to him. Justin has a green light to shoot when he feels he has a shot but he doesn't always force the action and so far I have not seen him as a guy that puts the ball on the floor strong consistently. One of the problems is so many teams use small ball now days and many use 2 guards as wings putting many small forwards like Justin at a quickness disadvantage. You counter that by allowing Justin to use his length to shoot over the smaller defenders. Some of the bigger wings, like Winslow did for duke, can use their girth and strength to physically work their way around the smaller defender but Justin is not that physically strong guy. I would like to see Roy try isolate Justin more inside and let him post up the smaller defenders but our bigs don't do the greatest job of clearing out the longer defenders to allow Justin the length advantage inside. And with as much zone as we see thrown at us it makes it harder for our wings to penetrate and have sets run for them.

I will be the first one to agree, I want to see a little bit more alpha dawg in Justin, in other words I want him more in attack mode and when ya get in to attack mode, the ball will find you in our system, no matter what position you play. Just my opinion...

Justin moves without the ball as well as any player on the team. This was something I paid special attention to late last year and I was surprised. He's a "quiet" player so you may not notice if you aren't looking for it, but he moves very well.

 

[Archer2]

I would like to see JJ be a little more aggressive in looking for his shot next year. IMO, he needs to be among our top 3 scorers, along with Joel and Isaiah. I think they all need to average close to 15 PPG if we're going to replace Marcus' and Brice's scoring.

 

[trestyles]

I think he looks for his shot aggressively. His fg % just needs to go up.

I would like to see JJ be a little more aggressive in looking for his shot next year. IMO, he needs to be among our top 3 scorers, along with Joel and Isaiah. I think they all need to average close to 15 PPG if we're going to replace Marcus' and Brice's scoring.

 

[Archer2]

I think he deferred to Marcus and Brice last year, like most of the team did, and perhaps rightfully so. I think he will realize that he, Joel, and Isaiah, as elder statesmen, need to carry the scoring load night in and night out.

ETA: I just looked at the stats from last season and JJ was actually 2nd in shot attempts and Joel 3rd, although Marcus did play in 6 fewer games.

I would like to see his shooting percentages go up some: 47% FG's, 67% FT's, and 29% on treys.

 

[Steat]

Hicks with a potent 15-foot jumper......

 

[DSouthr]

Justin moves without the ball as well as any player on the team. This was something I paid special attention to late last year and I was surprised. He's a "quiet" player so you may not notice if you aren't looking for it, but he moves very well.

There is a big difference between moving without the ball and being aggressive to put yourself in position to be able to get the ball in a spot that you can finish from. Justin moves well but it needs to be with a purpose and with assertiveness that allows him to get what he wants. Kinda my point, you said it, he is a quiet kind of player, meaning he disappears at times, you assertively move with a purpose on the offensive end and the ball will find you. That is my point, he needs to be less "quiet" and not disappear for stretches.

Your movements have to be loud, you have to communicate and read the flow of the defense, your PG knows to get you the ball if your movements have put you in position for it. I want to see Justin move more aggressively in to positions that he can finish better from and not settle for some of those long contested jumpers. I think he had to communicate better with his guards, needs to trust in himself, and his guards have to trust in him. His exploring the NBA this off season may really help here because he had to be shown that at times a NBA player has to take over the game at points and you do that by aggressively putting yourself in positions that you can finish from. Last season when JJ was slumping so badly he was moving but it was not always with a definite purpose, it was at times a bit mechanical as opposed to free flowing with confidence and positioning sch that his shots were better looks for what he does well.

Now when he started coming out of that long slump he did move much better and the result was a lot of cleaner looks.

 

[IDUNK4HEELS]

I would like the guards to go to the hole instead of relying mostly on jump shots. Berry and Britt are tremendous free throw shooters and even is they do not score on a hard drive to the basket THERE IS A VERY GOOD CHANCE they would be fouled. Woods is suppose to be a great slasher so freshman or not I would like to see him drive in the paint.

 

[Archer2]

I would like the guards to go to the hole instead of relying mostly on jump shots. Berry and Britt are tremendous free throw shooters and even is they do not score on a hard drive to the basket THERE IS A VERY GOOD CHANCE they would be fouled. Woods is suppose to be a great slasher so freshman or not I would like to see him drive in the paint.

One of the reasons I would like to see us spread the court a little more, improving spacing and facilitating more drives to the basket. Another reason I favor Kennedy in the high post is that it means less congestion in the lane, as well as utilizing his passing and jump shooting skills.