In my last post, I said that Houston's lack of weakside help for Rafer Alston allowed at least 6 Utah points, perhaps 8 or 10. Then I got to thinking, "maybe they were slow because they didn't want to get called for a 'defensive 3-second violation' while sliding over to help."
Well, it's possible, I suppose, but I didn't see anyone even moving in the general direction of the penetration when it occured.
In any case, can someone PLEASE tell me why there's a "defensive 3 second" call in the NBA in the first place? When you teach man-to-man defense, one of the first things you try to get across is weakside help! When your guy is two passes away from the basketball, you take two giant steps toward the ball, keeping your man in one eye and the ball in the other. If the man on the ball gets beat, or if a cutter recieves a pass on the give and go, you leave your guy and stop that penetration. It's fundamental! So why is it against the rules in the NBA? Well, I know why they SAY it is; they don't want Yao, or Shaq, or whoever else plays 5 to simply camp under the basket all the time. Uhhh....that would be a zone, wouldn't it? A guy playing an area and NOT a man? I thought that zone was illegal in the NBA? Oh, I know they've allowed modified zones in the last several years, but a straight zone? I don't think so!
Here's what you need to do, NBA! Just let the fellows play basketball! You won't have to fuss about what kind of defense someone wants to play because ANY kind of defense is allowable! And then (are you ready?) MAYBE we can just watch basketball! It works in college; why not the pros?
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