Like Heath or not, we can agree on this statement

[Biggus Piggus]

It is surprising how few man defensive specialists strong man defenders and rebounders Heath has on his team, four years into the rebuilding process.  I can't imagine that anybody thought Stan Heath, he of Michigan State Izzoism, would neglect defense and rebounding in favor of offensive skills.

[Flatfoot]

Biggus you couldn't have stated the problem with Heath any better.  You failed to mention that their offensive skills can't get them through a zone defense either. 

[Biggus Piggus]

Yeah, the zone thing.  Kinda maddening isn't it?

Brewer--definitely offense first
Famutimi--known as a big dunker back in the day, when he was a pro prospect
Modica--never met a shot he didn't like
Ferguson--decent defender, but did you know he was second on the team in shots taken last year?
Townes--offense first
Jefferson--where did his D go?
McCurdy--signed to shoot
McBride--hired gun
Hunter--they talk first about his outside shot
Thomas--what is he good at?
Cranford--shooter
Ervin--big HS scorer
Hill--at least he blocks shots
McGowan--at last, rebounding and defense come first
***
Al Jefferson--scored 30+ ppg in high school, pros now teaching him how to defend
Lamptey--lunk
Davis--shooter
Pharis--perimeter game, no rebounding
Sullivan--board and D guy, not welcome here
Mukubu--ditto

[PIGG]

Ferguson--decent defender, but did you know he was second on the team in shots taken last year?

No way.  Who was first? 

[Since 1894]

Remember SH's first game here, didn't we set a rebounding record that night?  What happened to "those good old days?"

[Michael11]

No. Kidding his first yr. we lead the sec in rebonding without any of his players. So obviously he can coach it but not recruit it? He baffels me

[litmachog]

What is interesting is how many of the players he has signed the last two years that were supposed to be big shot blockers.  We thought "man the defense is on its way!".

[Biggus Piggus]

What is interesting is how many of the players he has signed the last two years that were supposed to be big shot blockers.  We thought "man the defense is on its way!".

I think the precise thought may have been, At least if we have shotblockers, the frontline defense doesn't have to be great.

[Lanny]

Remember SH's first game here, didn't we set a rebounding record that night? What happened to "those good old days?"

Arkansas doesn't play Jackson State every game.

[Theolesnort]

Notice what is striking about this? Everyone seems to be doing their own thing don't they? Or doing what they want to do irregardless of team needs.

[WilsonHog]

In Hooten's, Marcus Monk was asked about playing football instead of basketball. The interviewer made the comment about a 6'-6" wide receiver being harder to find than a 6'-6" forward. Marcus' response was, "Yeah, and my teammates, my coaches, and everybody (on the football team) are one big family."

Right out of the blue.

I would suggest that comment says something about the inner workings of our basketball team. (Probably says something about a shortcoming or two in our football program as well. There's a fine line there.) 

[Lanny]

I would like to read an indepth interview about the players quitting last year on Heath.

[Ira Birdsong]

Great recruiter Stan is.  But can he coach at this level?

From: Ira

[Extra Point]

Last defensive specialist I remember is Clint McDaniel.  That was a long time ago.  Nearly every other team does not have defensive specialists as described here.  Kids don't find glory there or the FT line, so they could care less about it.

[Biggus Piggus]

Last defensive specialist I remember is Clint McDaniel. That was a long time ago. Nearly every other team does not have defensive specialists as described here. Kids don't find glory there or the FT line, so they could care less about it.

Don't confuse defensive specialist with stopper.  You gotta have someone you can go to for a stop.

[PerryHog]

Good coaches can recruit AND coach. If the players think the coach is a wuss, well, see last year. Stan needs to shoot a bunch of roids, and intimidate hell out of his players, like Nolan did. Otherwise, it's career assistant for ol' stan.

[hogndog]

The key is getting players with offensive skills to also become solid defenders.  I'm sorry, but a defensive specialist is an extreme offensive liability.  Everyone knew that when Mukubu, and to a lesser extent, Sullivan were in the game, that their man didn't have to give them much respect on the offensive end.  This led to teams being able to help out more on our key scorers.

McDaniel was an excellent defensive player, but he was by no means a so called defensive specialist.  He could hit the open three and also drive and create baskets.  He wasn't as skilled as Corliss and Scotty on the offensive end, but you couldn't neglect guarding him, or he would make you pay.  There were several games that he led the team in scoring.(not because of his steals and layups, but because he could shoot)

Arkansas needs players that are talented at putting the ball in the hole, that can be taught to play defense.

Defending is a matter of effort and pride, and not as much skill.  It's better to recruit offensive stars and teach them how to play defense, than vice-versa in my opinion.   A good offensive player can learn to play solid defense at the college level much easier than a good defensive player can become a force offensively.

Having said that, whether Stan is demanding enough on his players to have them play good defense is still up for debate.  I haven't seen enough intensity by any player on the defensive end yet.

Offense is a skill that takes years of practice for most players to become proficient at doing.  Defense is a skill that can be learned quickly if a player is motivated enough.

[Biggus Piggus]

That is the question, whether the problem has been aptitude (players) or teaching (coaches).  I think another dimension has been the skill mix, lacking guard-type and power-type players in favor of athletic wings who have had to play out of position inside and out.

[PerryHog]

The key is getting players with offensive skills to also become solid defenders. I'm sorry, but a defensive specialist is an extreme offensive liability. Everyone knew that when Mukubu, and to a lesser extent, Sullivan were in the game, that their man didn't have to give them much respect on the offensive end. This led to teams being able to help out more on our key scorers.

McDaniel was an excellent defensive player, but he was by no means a so called defensive specialist. He could hit the open three and also drive and create baskets. He wasn't as skilled as Corliss and Scotty on the offensive end, but you couldn't neglect guarding him, or he would make you pay. There were several games that he led the team in scoring.(not because of his steals and layups, but because he could shoot)

Arkansas needs players that are talented at putting the ball in the hole, that can be taught to play defense.

Defending is a matter of effort and pride, and not as much skill. It's better to recruit offensive stars and teach them how to play defense, than vice-versa in my opinion. A good offensive player can learn to play solid defense at the college level much easier than a good defensive player can become a force offensively.

Having said that, whether Stan is demanding enough on his players to have them play good defense is still up for debate. I haven't seen enough intensity by any player on the defensive end yet.

Offense is a skill that takes years of practice for most players to become proficient at doing. Defense is a skill that can be learned quickly if a player is motivated enough.

Very well said. I too believe defense is easily learned. The problem is that apparently our coach has some trouble teaching both offense and defense.

[Fatty McGee]

Brewer--definitely offense first

Brewer's very well regarded as a defender.  Being the primary offensive threat limits his effectiveness somewhat, but as a team defender he's very good.

Hunter--they talk first about his outside shot

It's basically impossible to say what Hunter is, since he hasn't played in over a year.  He may be very, very good.

Thomas--what is he good at?

Another pretty good defender.  Drew a charge nearly every game.

We rebounded very well our first year with Heath, but the next year we had Matt Jones as our best big man.  Not going to get a lot of boards that way no matter what.  Last year we had freshmen down there, and while their defense wasn't outstanding, there's no reason to think it won't improve.

Playing good defense is a matter of trust.  You have to trust that your man will be there on the switch.  You have to trust that if you hedge, the guy being screened will work to get around it quick or pick up your man.  These things take time, even NBA teams don't always get it, and that's over an 82 game season and practice without limitations.  Read Phil Jackson's "The Last Season", that lack of trust is why he believes the Lakers didn't win it all in '04.  Detroit had it, they didn't.  This will be the first year almost all the key players are back for the Hogs.  This year will be the judge of Heath's coaching ability.