Invisible Quick Hands?

[ge-erdone]

There has been some comments about Rotnei Clarke's height being a disadvantage for playing defense.

It used to be, for shorter defensive guys, guarding bigger men, they developed a technique of using quick, and many times, so quick, the eye would miss a slap of the ball, when the taller guy was dribbling the ball and it having to be a higher dribble, making the slap around, or just above the taller guy's knees, and creating turnovers, especially when the ball was being brought down court.

Also, to keep from getting fouls called, it is better to slap up and away at the ball, then slapping down at the top of the ball, and which is easier to do for a shorter defensive guy, against a taller ball handler.

This technique helped to equalize the height advantage of the taller guy, when he had the ball.

Arkansas, during the Sutton years, had a player forward, who was not short, Bill Campbell, I believe his name was, had those cat like quick hands, and created havoc for the player he was guarding.

I do not see this much anymore, except for double team guarding, especially in the press.

I would think Rotnei has those type of hands, and could indeed create some turnovers, if he worked and practiced on it.

Am I wrong or way off on this in today's college game?

I think Rotnei Clarke is a great basketball player.

Anyone remember Campbell from the Eddie Sutton days?

He was a true defensive specialist.

[Danny J]

Nobody disputes his offensive abilities but he REALLY needs to improve on defense. I dont think it is just his size but also footspeed. Cant really coach speed. Will he ever be a lockdown defender? NO. Can he improve? Yes

[RM85]

Are you referring to Doug Campbell, F, 6-7? Played for Van Eman, think he graduated the year before Sutton took over.

[WhenPigsFly]

Don't remember anybody of that name playing for Sutton.

[erniehog]

When I think of Sutton and quick hands a couple of other guys come to mind.
Darrell Walker and Alvin Robertson. 

[ge-erdone]

Are you referring to Doug Campbell, F, 6-7? Played for Van Eman, think he graduated the year before Sutton took over.

Maybe that was him, I believe his home state was Kansas, but I sure thought he played for Sutton.

Any way, if that was who I am thinking of, he was a tremendous man to man defender, and a good rebounder, and really quick hands.