Saturday, July 10, 2010

How To Defend Against Miami Next Year

There is still a lot of free agents out there, so there are personnel matchups to still to be figured out. Nonetheless, I think there are some basics strategies that coaches are going to take in order to deal with the Big 3 of Lebron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. 

THE ONLY Problem - Miami Offense: If the Big 3 are healthy, it is going to be a Herculean task to defend them both inside and out. DWade and Lebron can drive at will and most likely get to the basket, no matter how many times you hit them. And their jumpers are good enough that defensive respect will always have to be a given. Coupled with both DWade and Lebron's ability to drive, shoot and dish, you have a big man down low who can finish. So while all three are on the floor, you can have penetration from either Lebron of DWade with the two legitimate and almost automatic scorers to clean it up. No matter who is out there. They are going to score the lights out.

How do you deal, then? Tire them out on defense. Runs lots of set plays. Do not get involved with a scoring match with them - they will win 99% of the time. Draw out the game, try to make the big shot.  Foul all three of them, hard, when they get to the basket.

Finally - I wonder if Bosh will be comfortable becoming a defensive-minded center and if he will be OK scoring less points.










Start second team - wear them out - come in with 1st team

Friday, June 11, 2010

The Electric Car and the Eminent Death of Transit Oriented Development

Think about it. If the electric car ever gains traction (pun intended), where will this put Transit Oriented Development, especially in regards to the Suburbs?

Regardless of the series of arguments for TOD (environmental, community, etc.) a person's preference will always be for one's own car. And, if fuel /operational costs go down, then any parking related costs (especially some of those being tried by Shoupista's) will be a wash.

Which can and may mean the reemergence of the car-oriented suburb.