Vinny Del Negro loving 1st coaching experience

[collisrost]

This discussion has got me thinking. I've been one of those guys who sees both sides of the picture when it comes to Vinny. The problems with Vinny are largely correctable with experience.

The only one that I think is likely not to be corrected is the lack of high quality defense, but that usually comes with a fast paced, high scoring team anyway. Your defensive stats don't necessarily reflect your defensive ability as a team since halfcourt defense and open court defense are not measured separately. He might eventually be able to put together a passably decent defense to go along with a high-octane offense, which would be just fine in my book. He certainly has the personnel for it.

I think we all liked Vinny's attitude early on where he said he was going to come in with no "predeceived" notions about his players, and he stuck to his promise by playing guys like Hughes, Noc and Gooden initially. He seems like a fairly straight shooter in that respect. Even though I may not like what he did with the rotation early on, he was up front about it and this attitude was one of the reasons the team was willing to hire him in the first place.

He also said he would let Tyrus shoot the jumper and he did. He's generally been true to his word.

 

[dougthonus]

I don't think defensive ability necessarily needs to be poor in a high octane offense.

It's about defensive efficiency. The Sacramento Kings were known as a poor defensive team under Rick Adelman in their peak years, but they weren't. They had pretty good defensive efficiency, but their high pace just made the games high scoring and masked it.

I want the Bulls to be in the same place. If the casual fan thinks the defense is poor because the team gives up 105 points a game even though it scores 110 because there are 10 more possessions per team in a bulls game than a normal game, I won't complain. The defense actually will be good just not look good based on simplistic stats.

 

[collisrost]

I agree that perceptions generally exaggerate the bad defense on fast paced teams. Nevertheless I think it's harder to play good defense when your offense is one basedrun on trying to run. It leaves open the possibility that the other team will sometimes catch you with one of your guys way out of position because he was running so hard. You usually have more gambling for steals on both sides when the game's fast paced. And you usually have more risk taking when you're fast paced because that's the mindset.

Don't get me wrong, I agree it's possible to have decent defense when you run a lot, I just think it's somewhat harder and that it's rarely reflected in the usual defensive metrics.

 

[dougthonus]

collisrost wrote:

I agree that perceptions generally exaggerate the bad defense on fast paced teams. Nevertheless I think it's harder to play good defense when your offense is one basedrun on trying to run. It leaves open the possibility that the other team will sometimes catch you with one of your guys way out of position because he was running so hard. You usually have more gambling for steals on both sides when the game's fast paced. And you usually have more risk taking when you're fast paced because that's the mindset.

Don't get me wrong, I agree it's possible to have decent defense when you run a lot, I just think it's somewhat harder and that it's rarely reflected in the usual defensive metrics.

I agree with that too.

 

[coldfish]

I think there are two pretty distinct styles of running when it refers to an offensive style:
- The D'Antoni seven seconds or less. This offense is a push it at all times offense. Run down the court and take the first available shot, even if its a long jumper.
- The opportunistic defense running. Basically, a team will try to push it on long rebounds and steals, but absent that, runs a half court offense.

IMHO, the second type should have no negative impact on the defensive efficiency. You are basically trying to get ultra high percentage layups and as such, its harder for a team to run back at you.

The first type I think can hurt you efficiency wise. Long jumpers in transition means long rebounds and then you give the other team a chance to run out and get a layup.

To D'Antoni's credit, his defenses have never been horrible on a per possession basis, mostly because he seems to have a real good feel for the statistics of basketball. That being said, they aren't great either.

Note: What I mean with D'Antoni is that his defenses try to stop high yield shots and give up low yield shots, without much nuance. He is basically playing the odds that if he shoots all wide open 3's and you shoot all open midrange 2's, over the course of a game he is going to win.

 

[Chief Walking Stick]

EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS



GAME 7

vs.

(4) ------- (3)



RESULTS



Game 1: Penguins win 3-0.

Game 2: Lightning win 5-1.

Game 3: Penguins win 3-2.

Game 4: Penguins win 3-2 (2OT).

Game 5: Lightning win 8-2.

Game 6: Lightning win 4-2.

Game 7: Lightning win 1-0.​

 

[Chief Walking Stick]

Lightning in 5.

 

[genefoley]

agreed. would love to see the pens lose. although I hate the lightning too.



Crosby's return uncertain

 

[Larmer83]

The Reverse Olczk Theory(ROT) will hold in this series.



Eddie predicted that Carolina would make the playoffs. Oh well. He also stated that Tampa was not strong enough defensively to make a playoff run. Tampa allowed 14 goals in the last 8 regular season games.



Tampa in 6.

 

[Chief Walking Stick]

VOTE IN THE POLLS PEEPS!

 

[CLWolf81]

I've always liked the Lightning. They were one of the teams from the East I've always liked.... and since they're playing against Cindy, should he come back... no brainer here.



Lightning in 6... and that 5th game may be a pity loss so Tampa can win on home ice.

 

[the canadian dream]

Tampa in 7 in what will be the highest scoring series of the first round. This will be a fun series for pretty goals. bad series for defensive hockey.

 

[sth]

I don't why but I'm leaning towards the Pens. I don't trust Tampa's goalies. Also I thought the Pens would drop like a rock with no Cindy or Geno. But they seemed to play better. It seems counter intuitive. But for that reason I say Pens in 5.

 

[Sir Mike of Burbs]

I really like the lightning this year. They look good. Take it in 7.

 

[SArmonte90]

Tampa Bay seems like they have been pretty dominant all season. I'm gonna say they win in 6.

 

[bri]

I like the Lightning, but I have that soft spot for the Pens so I will probably dance to Baby Got Back before each game to bring Sid and the Pens luck.

 

[Rex]

This may be Rollison's last chance. I say Tampa comes out hard. Their PP will be too much for a Penguins team missing it's two franchise players, and will be relying on Marc-Andre Fleury to not suck



Tampa Bay in 5

 

[bubbleheadchief]

Bolts in 5. Rolly stands in his head in net.

 

[whiteevo]

pens in 6.



TB comes out hard and takes the first 2 games. crosby back for the third and they win the next 4.

 

[winos5]

Bolts in 6