Zone Defenses on the Rise

Discussion in 'Women’s Basketball' started by JoeDallas, Jan 21, 2020.

  1. JoeDallas

    JoeDallas 1,000+ Posts

    The New York Times has a very interesting article today about the increasing use of zones in the NBA. The use of zones is up 50% this season. They make the point that, even if not used extensively, they tend to "cause confusion and inspire hesitation." Junk defenses are also up, such as box and one. The article talks about how zones have been looked down on as a "weak player's" game. They clearly don't have the prestige that man defenses have. It's almost like a macho thing to run a man. But the NBA is getting over that. Some of us have always wanted Karen to use more zone, at least selectively to break up momentum, but she just can't bring herself to do it. Neither could Jody.
     
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  2. WCBBNUT

    WCBBNUT 2,500+ Posts

    Except she does. So did Jody. Maybe not as often as we want, but we have played a zone numerous times this season. Personally, I don’t think we play it well.
     
  3. brnkj

    brnkj 2,500+ Posts

    I don't think we play it well either... not sure if that is because It's something that the coach isn't passionate about or what. We have the quickness and hands to be able to play a very disruptive trapping zone. We just don't seem to fully understand zone defense.
     
  4. WCBBNUT

    WCBBNUT 2,500+ Posts

    We seem to be getting better at adjusting to zones from others so there’s that...
     
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  5. JoeDallas

    JoeDallas 1,000+ Posts

    Karen has used a little zone this year, but precious little. Jody used it some earlier in her career, but I am almost certain she never went to a zone once in her last 3 or 4 years. I agree with you all that we do not do it well, and don't seem to understand it well. KA has no passion for it, so it seems to me hasn't bothered to really learn to take advantage of its possibilities.
     
  6. brnkj

    brnkj 2,500+ Posts

    Yes... Not sure why all of a sudden we have gotten better at attacking a zone (overloading, attacking the seams, etc) but we have. Could it be the influence of Terry Nooner perhaps?
     
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  7. Statalyzer

    Statalyzer 10,000+ Posts

    In a vacuum, man-to-man played well is the best defense; although if your opponent just doesn't know how to beat a zone properly (and a fair number don't), then it's another story.
     

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