Coaching LeBron James

I watched the end of the Cleveland Cavaliers win over the Boston Celtics and was both pleased and frustrated with Mike Brown's use of LeBron James.

With just over 2:00 to play, Brown called timeout to set up a play. Daniel Gibson and Zydrunas Ilgauskas ran a pick and roll as dummy motion. Gibson passed to Z off the left elbow. James flashed from the corner toward the ball and then cut backdoor for a lay-up. Great play. Great finish. Great design. Excellent execution out of a timeout.

Next time down the court, James take a dozen dribbles, I don't think anyone else touches the ball and he takes a long jump shot.

Again, Brown calls timeout on the next possession. The play starts with a Gibson/Z pick and roll with Gibson dribbling from right to left. Gibson gives a short pass to James as he runs right. Rajon Rondo stayed with the ball. James spun and passed to Gibson. Ray Allen rotated to Gibson who passed to Sasha Pavlovic in the corner for a wide open three-pointer. Again, great play.

Final possession of the game, Brown calls timeout. James holds the ball and ends up with a step-back 21-footer which he misses short.

After the first two timeouts, I was nominating Brown for Coach of the Year. Great execution. But, the last play left a lot to be desired. Sure, it's what 90% of the coaches in the NBA would run with James. However, does that make it the right play?

The two successful plays started with James off the ball and along the three-point line. I don't understand getting James the ball 25-feet from the basket. When James catches the ball in motion with speed he is almost impossible to stop. Using him on cuts for dribble hand-offs or backdoors cuts would be very effective.

I also do not understand why the Cavs seem to never get him the ball in the high post. From the high post, he would be forcefully at the rim with one dribble. There is no way to double-team him.

When I walked into the bar, the first possession was KG and Pierce guarding James as he dribbled at the top of the key. They completely left someone open and double-teamed him.

James is a terrific playmaker. However, asking him to be the PG and score 30ppg is too much. If he gets the ball on the move to the basket or within the three-point line, he is devastating and it makes the game easy for him. If he has to do everything, eventually he is going to wear down.

What if a set started with Gibson with the ball, Pavlovic in the right corner, Z above the left elbow, Gooden outside the left block and James on the right elbow. Enter to James and let Gibson use a flare screen by Z. James has the ball on the right elbow with Pavlovic in the right corner. Gooden's man has to make a decision; if he is going to help, he has to show early because he can't stand in the key. Z's man has to honor the screen because Gibson and Z are good enough shooters. So, James is isolated on the elbow. If Pavlovic's man helps, he has a wide open three. That's my end of the game play. If they double quick to take the ball out of James' hands, Z should get a wide open look or Gooden a dunk.

Through the course of the game, I would like to see James used in a variety of ways, like on the successful plays at the end of the game. Asking him to dribble the ball 25-feet from the basket wastes his skills and zaps his energy.

Why not run him off stagger screens like the Pistons do with Rip Hamilton? Let James run the baseline off a Gooden and Z screen, with Gooden flashing to the rim and Z popping for a 17-foot shot and James curling into the key.

Why not use James in some old Adelman sets with Z at the high post, James in the corner and Gibson on the wing. Gibson enters to the high post and sets a screen for James. James can cut backdoor to the rim or use the screen and curl around Z for a little hand-off at the elbow. Z rolls to the rim and Gibson spots up at the three-point line.

There are so many ways to use a player with James immense talent to make the game easier for James and to allow him to make his teammates better. Unfortunately, whether by his decision or Brown's he spends too much time dribbling far from the basket allowing the entire defense to position themselves to stop LeBron, rather than getting him the ball on the move or closer to the basket where it is more difficult to focus and stop one player.

Also, as an aside, when James knows he is going to shoot a jumper off the dribble, he always puts the ball back to his left hand. He wants to shoot jumpers going to the left. He shoots free throws the same way, which is one reason, I believe, he has been inconsistent during the beginning of the year. He does not use his free throw routine to make him a better shooter; instead, it detracts from his shot (I write about this in 180 Shooter).

Finally, on an unrelated note, Duke was on the other TV and they look good. They look like they are playing much like the old Dookies with Jay Williams, Chris Duhon and Mike Dunleavy, though they lack the Carlos Boozer inside. They have nobody as talented as Williams, but they have a lot of perimeter weapons, play great defense and can shoot the rock. If they get hot, they can beat anyone. I'd love to see a Duke vs. Memphis match-up.

Chicago Struggling

The Bulls are struggling and people seem not to know why. First, they struggled last season at this point. Second,they continue to fail to address their biggest weakness (a consistent scoring presence beyond mid-range jump shooters). Third, their big acquisitions over the past two years have been an aging rebounding machine known for his energy and defense (Wallace) and two first round picks who do almost the same thing (Thomas and Noah). Finally, the Bulls have peaked with their personnel. In the past two seasons, the Bulls maximized their potential.

While others look at their youth and see the potential, is it realistic to expect a team of jump shooters and role players to elevate into a championship contender? Without a proven scorer, is age and experience enough to overcome more talented, experienced and balanced teams like the Pistons, Heat, Cavaliers and Celtics? While other Eastern Conference teams improved over the off-season by adding players (Magic, Celtics), the Bulls stayed the same.

So, are the struggles unexpected? Not really. They are what they are: a jump shooting team that plays hard and defends well, but who is now a bottom-level Eastern Conference play-off team.

Of course, I have written most of this before...

Mr. Longoria

I saw some Tony Parker highlights last night and had one question: at what point does Parker get consideration as one of the elite PGs in the NBA? When the media discusses point guards, it starts with Steve Nash and Jason Kidd and follows with the young kids, Chris Paul and Deron Williams. Where is Parker? He's best known for being married to Eva Longoria and playing alongside Tim Duncan. But, why does he not get more credit?

When people write about the Suns, the perception is that the Suns are good because of Steve Nash. However, with Parker, the perception seems to be that he is good because he plays for the Spurs. This is not meant to discredit Nash, but why is there such a disparity?

Looking at their teams, are the Spurs definitely more talented than the Suns? They probably have better all-around talent - for instance, Tim Duncan is a far superior defender than Amare Stoudemire - but is the talent disparity even there? Stoudemire, Marion, Hill, Bell and Barbosa vs. Duncan, Oberto, Bowen, Ginobili and Barry. I'd argue the Suns supporting six are superior than the Spurs. I like both the coaches, but would give the edge to Pop right now. So, we'll call it a wash in terms of supporting casts and coaches.

If Parker and Nash switched teams, would the Suns be far worse off? Would the Spurs? And, if we acknowledge that there is likely very little difference in the team's won-loss record and play-off success if Parker and Nash switched teams, why is Nash hailed as one of the best point guards ever, while Parker barely enters the discussion of current elite point guards?

For some reason - bias against the French, jealousy over his wife, Tim Duncan - I think Parker is the most underrated player in the NBA. When elite point guards are mentioned, I think Parker needs to be at the fore of the discussion, not an afterthought.

College Hoops and Pros

Why do "journalists" decide they must write the obligatory "what if?" column every year and mention all the players who left college early and how much better college basketball would be if they did not leave? This time, it is Jay Bilas.

Why do people want to force kids who have little to no interest in attending classes to be students?

Why waste, in many cases, tax payer money on minor league athletes?

Do we need to see Greg Oden and Dwight Howard playing against each other in college? No, we can see them meet in the NBA (once Oden is healthy).

College basketball is a good game, but it is not the best game. The NBA has the best athletes and the best players. Why prevent precocious players from joining the NBA just so the NCAA can make more money?

If the NCAA and NBA forced players to play four years of college ball, how many would leave and play in Europe? Would Dwight Howard be content getting a free education and attending college classes when he could be making a couple million dollars in Barcelona or Athens?

College basketball should be for student-athletes, not minor leaguers. College basketball already undermines the academic integrity of a university enough. Why force even more minor leaguers to pretend to be students?

I agree that the NBA Draft is the problem. The problem is that players have to attend college at all. If O.J. Mayo wanted to enter last year's draft, why not? Nobody has a problem with high school soccer players signing with Major League Soccer for a fraction of what a first round NBA pick receives? Nobody cares if a high school baseball player enters the minor leagues. Nobody cares about teenage tennis players on the professional tour. Why is basketball the only sport where journalists constantly try to "protect" the players and the college game?

Hope Springs Eternal

John Denton in FLORIDA TODAY suggested that the Orlando magic could be interested in Shareef Abdur-Rahim. Please, please say it is so. Sure, the Kings need interior scoring, but Abdur-Rahim has proven not to be the answer since he was signed. Please, Mr. Petrie, acquire Carlos Arroyo. Have him wear his Puerto Rican national team jersey under his Kings jersey and pretend that all NBA teams are Team USA. An Arroyo for Abdur-Rahim deal would make my season and open the door for another deal to jettison Bibby's contract to a play-off contender desperate for a PG who makes shots in the clutch, a la Miami, Cleveland, Los Angeles Lakers, and several other teams.

Maybe the Kings could push Orien Greene with Abdur-Rahim. Oh, and maybe the Kings could get Trevor Ariza to add even more athleticism on the wings.

Sure, the chances are slim, but just seeing a Magic writer write about possible interest in Abdur-Rahim brightened my day and started me thinking about glorious possibilities.

Arroyo and Martin in the back court. I'd almost pay to watch that team play.

The Reggie Theus Era Begins

Well, the Reggie Theus Era began last week, but tonight was the first time I have seen the Kings play this year. I was not encouraged by what I saw as the Kings basically gave away the game.

First, the major complaints:

1. Why would you ever play Quincy Douby and Orien Greene at the same time? Greene is a terrible offensive player and Douby struggled as well. I was hoping to see more from Douby this year, but he's certainly not the answer as a PG and is not yet the second coming of Bobby Jackson off the bench either.

2. I like Francisco Garcia. I always have. However, he dribbles too much.

3. Kevin Martin scored his 30th point with over 6:00 to play. His teammates proceeded to freeze him out of the game until the 1:00 mark. He touched the ball twice in over 5:00 and took one shot. Meanwhile, everyone else jacked some bad shot or made a turnover. Kevin Martin is THE star. He needs the rock. Garcia should not be jacking threes after 12 dribbles on a possession late in the game with Martin standing in the corner. Get the star the ball. Salmons is growing on me and I like Garcia, but that five minute stretch is where the game was lost, as the Kings struggled to scorer and put distance on the scoreboard and it cost them when James decided to takeover late.

4. Why call the last timeout? 12 seconds to play and Martin is isolated in transition 1v1 on the left wing with the Kings down 2 and only one other defender within the three-point line. Instead, the Kings call timeout, their last, and do not get off a good shot. Martin is almost guaranteed to get to the FT line if he goes 1v1 in transition. Maybe he gets a 3-point play. Worst case scenario is he misses with about 10 seconds to play, the Kings foul and use a timeout after the Cavs' free throw to move the ball to the front court. The Cavs are not a good free throw shooting team. How do you expect to run a play that gets a better scoring opportunity than Martin 1v1 in transition?

I like the Kings' switching defenses. John Salmons fits well in Theus' scheme. I don't know how Bibby fits with the Kings' new scheme, from a defensive perspective, as he'll take away some of the length on the top of the zone, plus he is a notoriously bad defender. Hopefully Artest helps on the boards as the Kings were dismantled on the glass. There is hardly a trade I would turn down if it meant unloading Brad Miller and his horrific contract and slow feet.

When Bibby, Artest and Udrih return, Douby and Greene lose their playing time, which is a good thing, and the perimeter should be solid with Bibby, Udrih and Garcia at the point, Martin, Salmons and Garcia at the 2 and Artest and Salmons at the 3. However, even with the signing of Mikki Moore, the interior remains a weakness. Hopefully Hawes can produce some points, but he is certainly not the enforcer on the backboard that the Kings desperately need, especially in the zone defense. Watching Drew Gooden play, he would have been a great fit offensively and defensively next to the Kings perimeter players and a definite up grade over Moore and Miller.

The Kings play hard and if they can win games like these without Bibby and Artest, they should be able to hang in the play-off race. However, if they continue to freze out Martin when he is scoring and cannot control their defensive backboard, making the play-offs will be a tall order in the Western Conference.

Kobe and the Lakers

If Kobe is the real deal, the Lakers have enough talent to win in the play-offs. Am I the only one who questions the perception of a giant chasm between Greg Oden and Andrew Bynum? Why do reporters believe a team with five athletic post players is a hindrance to the team's success?

Face of College Hoops

Andy Katz makes the argument that this is the first year in a while where there is no distinct "face of college basketball." This, of course, was not supposed to happen in the era of the NBA Age Limit, where NBA marketing was supposed to improve because fans got to know the players in college.

In his argument, he says:

You don't have returning superstars like Kevin Durant or Greg Oden.

College basketball never had returning superstars like Durant and Oden, as each played only one year. Of course, they were the face of college basketball last season, as freshmen, and there is no reason why OJ Mayo, Derek Rose and Kevin Love should not be considered in the same way.

Mayo plays in Los Angeles and is the most hyped player to enter college basketball in the last decade. His adolescent hype is surpassed only by LeBron James. He has been a celebrity since he was in 8th grade and is already the subject of a behind the scenes tug of war for his sneaker services. He is far more hyped entering college than was Durant, and as much or more so than Oden.

And, for the first time in memory, the USC-UCLA rivalry may eclipse even the UNC-Duke rivalry. UCLA returns several starters from its Final Four team and adds the best big man since Bill Walton in Kevin Love. With UCLA a top 5 team, and USC closing in on the top 10, and with these two fab frosh, the rivalry has Hollywood, star power and future NBA stars.

Derek Rose, however, is probably the best freshman of the bunch and he plays for a top 3 team as well. Memphis plays an up-tempo, fan-friendly style in which he should excel. A cross country rivalry between Mayo and Rose, much like the Oden vs. Durant arguments of last season, should fuel the Internet and talk shows.

I agree with Coach K, who does not like the NBA age limit:

I'm not sold the one-year deal is a good thing and that it's good for the true meaning of being a student. It's good for the NBA, but maybe not for college."

A point I have made before. I think it undermines the academic institution to be half-way homes for professional athletes. However, I don't believe it affects the marketing of the college games, as Katz argues, as last year, the hype was built around Durant and Oden, two freshmen, and I don't know that it hurt the college game or the marketing of the college game. If this year the hype centers around Mayo and Rose, does it hurt the marketing? If we spend the entire NCAA Tournament hoping to see a USC vs Memphis Final Four or Elite Eight game to see these two go head to head, is that a bad thing?

Or, what about the alternative, as expressed by Kevin Love:

"I'm a team guy, so I'm going to say the face of the sport is UCLA anyway," Love said. "When I think about college basketball, I think of UCLA."

Isn't that why most people who favor college basketball over the NBA like it better? Because they have a rooting interest based on a school, not a player who could leave via free agency? In Europe, where things are club-based, everyone roots for their neighborhood team as a matter of pride. In the U.S., we root for our alma mater as a matter of pride. Isn't that what is great about the NCAA Tournament?

Or, have we confused the two to such a degree that we can't remember why we like the college game and we have a harder and harder time differentiating it from the pro game, even in our marketing efforts?