Question, Why Cal. Refuses to zone ?

[mrhotdice]

Does anyone have a answer? As everyone knows my beef is Cals lifetime contract and the AD who thought it wise to give such a contract but let’s talk college basketball. I don’t know for the life of me why Cal. never goes to some type of zone, 1-3-1 or full court press during every game just to slow down or speed up the game as needed. I know some say you can’t press full court anymore because of the way games are called but is that a fact, really. Is it Cals desire to play man to man because of his love for the draft in the no zone NBA?

I would love to hear opinions on this subject.

 

[ck-2]

Lazy.

 

[UKNothinButNet]

I thought it was this reasoning: "Zone is not often used in the NBA". What's the best defense for preparing the players for the NBA.

 

[Catclaw1]

I use to think it was his ego that wouldn’t let him since he was such a man guy.
However now I fully believe he’s just to stupid to coach it

 

[mrhotdice]

The NBA teams have exceptional point guards who can dribble but college teams do not have that luxury. I think when Pitino went to the Celtics he tried to press full court but failed because it wore out his own team as well as the one they were playing. Haha

 

[Chaisey]

Does anyone have a answer? As everyone knows my beef is Cals lifetime contract and the AD who thought it wise to give such a contract but let’s talk college basketball. I don’t know for the life of me why Cal. never goes to some type of zone, 1-3-1 or full court press during every game just to slow down or speed up the game as needed. I know some say you can’t press full court anymore because of the way games are called but is that a fact, really. Is it Cals desire to play man to man because of his love for the draft in the no zone NBA?

I would love to hear opinions on this subject.

When he first got to UK he said that if he gets the best players that he should be able to play man to man defense and win about 90% of the games ......

 

[Jamal Mercer]

He’s lazy.

 

[sam_o]

They don’t play zone in the NBA

 

[Kybluedude]

Wish he would delegate the offense and defense and oversee it like Saban. Utilize his assistants and let them put in inbounds plays, a couple zones and some new offensive sets.

 

[docholiday51]

UK should declare for the NBA, problem solved. Cal is to lazy to coach the college game. We could go 10-72 but we would get to watch a lot more games. We could
put 15,00 in Rupp for 41 games

 

[IYAOYAS1]

Too lazy to Coach it.

 

[Midway Cat]

It's actually pretty incredible when you think about it.

It's not like our players haven't ever played zone before. All of them have been playing organized basketball for years.

Watching the other teams left in the Tournament regularly switching defenses, trapping, etc. really underscores just how ridiculous Cal's approach continues to be.

 

[fs-ripcord65]

I wouldn't disagree that he's too lazy to coach zone, but being stubborn and not very smart are also factors.

 

[TheJackal]

Because he is retarded

 

[ala_kat2]

I agree that it seems like he just doesn’t want to invest the time to implement it. When he has bigger, faster guards and a rim protector like A. Davis he doesn’t need a zone. However, when you’re undersized and slow like our guards were this year, a zone wound have helped. At least mix up defenses when you’re getting gashed.

 

[Pickle_Rick]

Teaching multiple offensive sets, different inbound plays, and .ultimately defenses takes time. And that takes away time spent making money in the NBA so Cal can't get you there faster than other coaches, so why would you play for him?

 

[Kybluedude]

It’s like a MLB pitcher throwing only a fastball game in and out. Pretty easy to game plan for and hit

 

[Catfan2226]

Very simple...he cant coach and hes an idiot.

 

[wccat]

Too lazy to Coach it.

Maybe doesn't understand it. Maybe the roll the ball out about Cal is not far off.

 

[Jmeeks54thebest]

It’s infuriating that he doesn’t have at least 1 zone defense. Something to switch to and throw the other team off. Like others have said he’s too lazy. Zone defense is more complicated than a man to man defense. Man to man is pretty easy to teach. Just stick on your guy.

Switching on everything is also infuriating. But it’s easier to coach people to switch then it is to teach them how to fight through a screen.

 

[pinecreek]

Zone works well if you extend it out, take way all the easy 3’s, then funnel the drivers to your rim protector. As long the offense don’t have a guy to hit the 15 ft jumper at the foul line, you’re all set.

 

[numberonedad]

He's a Narcissist. Narcissist always think they are right and the smartest person in the room.

 

[eppsfan]

Our program has deteriorated into a toxic pissing contest between Cal and our fans. He won't zone just like he wouldn't play Allen, won't run out of bounds plays, won't run a modern offense, won't watch film, or won't call timeouts. Decisions aren't being made based on what's best for the team. Only thing that matters is Cal proving he's the boss and has all power. We are on a sinking ship at the mercy of Capitan Ahab at this point.

 

[UKNothinButNet]

Teaching multiple offensive sets, different inbound plays, and .ultimately defenses takes time. And that takes away time spent making money in the NBA so Cal can't get you there faster than other coaches, so why would you play for him?

IMO it's another casualty of CCC's system that forces him to train up a brand-new team every season. He's behind the ball (so to speak) all year teaching basics, there's probably not any time for it, even if he wanted/could teach it.

 

[WildcatNC]

I actually understood when he had a team full of Freshman. You have to simplify things. No excuses this year not to complicate things a bit to cover issues.

That's probably the root of the issues altogether. He is still coaching guys and planning as if he has a team full of freshmen alpha dogs that can win games for him. He hasn't had both of those for years now, but coaches like he does.

 

[Pulaski Cat Fan_rivals377587]

He can't coach his ***.

 

[Jtf2217_rivals46896]

He doesn't know how to teach it effectively.
Just like a press. With the athletes we have had we *should* be one of the most feared press teams consistently. When we do try to we get absolutely eaten alive.

 

[wildcatdon]

He is lazy and stupid. And because he is not coaching all aspects of the game and not trying to win titles first for uk, he should be dismissed with cause. He has not placed the university first and that is his employer. Send him packing Mitch.

 

[The Snoke]

It’s infuriating that he doesn’t have at least 1 zone defense. Something to switch to and throw the other team off. Like others have said he’s too lazy. Zone defense is more complicated than a man to man defense. Man to man is pretty easy to teach. Just stick on your guy.

Switching on everything is also infuriating. But it’s easier to coach people to switch then it is to teach them how to fight through a screen.

I agree. Man to man should be simple, especially when you have superior athletes. But… inferior coaching on the floor, looses most the time. Guess that’s where we are now. Sad times.

 

[CatPhight_rivals65113]

Can't teach a zone, can't defend against a zone...hell he can't even draw up a decent in bounds play because he's too damn stubborn...Cal will pound a square peg in a round hole and call it day win or lose...

 

[Catzman]

Damn, ALL of you are correct! Love the fastball pitcher analogy-sums it up pretty well. Multiple offensive and defensive sets are very effective and confuses the other team.

Another complaint I have (as well as others on here) is we have no offensive sets where we try to score on an inbounds under our own basket plays, yet we usually give up 2 or 3 per game, it seems.

You can't tell me that Flint, Antigua, or any of his other assistant coaches DON'T have a few of these plays to install. Often in close games, this could be the difference between winning and losing.

Cal has to diversify and be more creative. His number one job as head coach is to try to win a national championship EVERY year! He doesn't have to forsake his players needs to do this, and winning championships won't do this. It isn't a choice of players futures versus UK National titles.
At UK, both goals can be accomplished at the same time. But, once again, Cal is sometimes too stubborn and deadset in his limited coaching philosophies. His rep is really suffering for this over the past few years. This is coming from someone who was sky high when he was hired. My son and I flew from Florida to Lexington to attend one of his basketball clinics-the year we won the our last national title-it was an impressive practice display (I was born in Estill County).

I hope he can recreate himself and update some of his coaching and recruiting strategies. If NOT, maybe the pressure, and his deflated ego will lead him to retire sooner, rather than later, for the good of ALL BIG BLUE fans. Sorry for the long discourse! GBB!!!!!

 

[numberonedad]

You can't tell me that Flint, Antigua, or any of his other assistant coaches DON'T have a few of these plays to install. Often in close games, this could be the difference between winning and losing.

He won't listen to them. Did you ever notice how much he screams at Chin? Chin knows what to do and isn't a yes man. Cal gets pissed and screams like a damn idiot

 

[saxonburgcat]

I wish someone would simply ask him to explain. If his answer is not acceptable, then bash away. But, to bash him for some made up reason is stupid.

 

[docholiday51]

I wish someone would simply ask him to explain. If his answer is not acceptable, then bash away. But, to bash him for some made up reason is stupid.

Good luck getting Cal to explain anything. How many times have you heard a reporter or any media person ask him a direct question only to hear him answer something totally different or respond with something that has nothing to do with the question?

We all put up with that as long as we were winning 30+ games a year and winning 2 or 3 games in the NCAAT but now that we can't get in or bow out the first week-end it isn't so funny anymore.

 

[saxonburgcat]

Good luck getting Cal to explain anything. How many times have you heard a reporter or any media person ask him a direct question only to hear him answer something totally different or respond with something that has nothing to do with the question?

We all put up with that as long as we were winning 30+ games a year and winning 2 or 3 games in the NCAAT but now that we can't get in or bow out the first week-end it isn't so funny anymore.

Thanks for the response. I found this on KSR:

3. Why Calipari doesn’t use zone​

After John Calipari was thrown out of Saturday’s game vs. Arkansas, Kentucky used a zone defense to great effect. Barbee, the zone guru on staff and one of Calipari’s former players, was once again asked why Cal is so hesitant to use zone. His response?

“I can only speak since I’ve been here, but we’ve worked on the zone every year since I’ve been here. I know Coach is–even when I played for him, we had a zone we would work on for just in case. Obviously, he’s a man-to-man basketball coach. He likes the accountability that comes with man-to-man, but he’s always been prepared with the zone in case you need it for a variety of reasons. Obviously, we needed it last game because of the foul trouble, especially with Ashton having those four fouls and the way they were driving the ball. We could not afford to have Ashton foul out of that game, and that’s probably what would’ve happened if we would have stayed in the man.”

 

[saxonburgcat]

I also found this:

Calipari explained his aversion to zone during an appearance on Kentucky Sports Radio Tuesday.

"The problem I have with it is no one's responsible for a man," Calipari said. "I need to know when someone scores, 'whose fault is that? Who's coming out?'"

On top of that, Calipari says playing zone doesn't prepare his players to defend at the next level.

 

[bookerfan66]

I also found this:

Calipari explained his aversion to zone during an appearance on Kentucky Sports Radio Tuesday.

"The problem I have with it is no one's responsible for a man," Calipari said. "I need to know when someone scores, 'whose fault is that? Who's coming out?'"

On top of that, Calipari says playing zone doesn't prepare his players to defend at the next level.

Of course it's about the NBA.

 

[saxonburgcat]

Of course it's about the NBA.

I don't have a problem with someone being critical about that. I do have a problem when some poster who is too lazy to do a basic internet search to find the answer says that Cal is too lazy to implement a zone when that is obviously not the case. Lots of lazy couch potatoes in this thread who just sit back and criticize without a basis.

 

[docholiday51]

I don't have a problem with someone being critical about that. I do have a problem when some poster who is too lazy to do a basic internet search to find the answer says that Cal is too lazy to implement a zone when that is obviously not the case. Lots of lazy couch potatoes in this thread who just sit back and criticize without a basis.

If one follows UK closely and has done so for a long time there are certain Cal truisms that don't require research or explanation . Your examples are textbook of my issue with Cal. The the game in which Cal was tossed, if he had not been, would we have gone to a zone? If some one on the other team scores then someone on our team has to come out? What kind of coaching is that? The NBA reference is classic Cal thinking or Cal speak, at this point I'm not sure which it is or even if it makes a difference.

I may spend a lot of time on the couch but I understand the essence of UK basketball probably as well as Cal does.

 

[saxonburgcat]

If one follows UK closely and has done so for a long time there are certain Cal truisms that don't require research or explanation . Your examples are textbook of my issue with Cal. The the game in which Cal was tossed, if he had not been, would we have gone to a zone? If some one on the other team scores then someone on our team has to come out? What kind of coaching is that? The NBA reference is classic Cal thinking or Cal speak, at this point I'm not sure which it is or even if it makes a difference.

I may spend a lot of time on the couch but I understand the essence of UK basketball probably as well as Cal does.

My point is that Cal isn't avoiding the zone because he is lazy. That made no sense to me whatsoever. There is zero evidence that is the case. But, I am not happy that he doesn't play zone either. I just want to make sure my criticisms are valid and not just a bunch of manufactured malarkey.