Posted by kam77:

Posted by Bippity10:

Posted by nixluva:

Bip not every coach has laid out in detail their offensive or defensive philosophy. Some coaches merely hire another coach or guru to handle the side of the ball they may not coach as well, ie Phil Jackson or Doc Rivers. MDA has a defensive philosophy that is at 1st hard to see if someone is looking for the TYPICAL defensive attacks most used. However his defensive system is as unique as his offense, which would make sense. An unconventional offense supported by an equally unique D. IMO MDA doesn't have to explain a thing. The proof of his coaching skill will be proven on the court. I see what he's doing and as we improve the talent his system will be more effective.

Nix: All I'm saying is taht I've never heard him talk about it. What does that have to do with anything else? Stop taking it so personally.

When he coached in PHX they (ESPN or some media outlet) interviewed him and he did talk about his philosophy of not fouling the opponent and making them settle for jumpshots. He talked about how his offense was a good defense... running them to the ground so they are too tired to do anything but settle. Scoring in the easiest way as quick as possible and putting pressure on them to keep up. As long as you outscore your opponent, you played better defense than they did.

If you have a problem with the philosophy lets hear it. But you can't say he's never said these words.

You guys are so sensitive. Not once in this entire post have I criticized the man's defense. I am one of the few people on this board that says that you can win with any style. I have never been a D'Antoni basher and as a matter of fact would place myself in the supporter category and am happy he was hired. That being said, I have never heard him talk about his defensive philosophy. I am curious to hear it from his mouth. If you have a link to him speaking about his defense in Phoenix I would like to hear it. Not because I'm being sarcastic. Not because I think his philosophy is stupid. Not because I don't think he has one. Simply because I am curious. Is this okay or does it deserve 10 more post count padding nonsense threads of me stating the same thing over and over again?

You guys are so sensitive to any discussion about his defense that even the talk of it in your mind must be negative. Funny thing is, D'Antoni responds the same way.

[Edited by - bippity10 on 31-08-2009 5:01 PM]

Posted by nixluva:

Bip I understand your position and i'm not being sensitive to your feeling that he should come out and expound on his defensive philosophy. I just disagree that he has to come out and break it down. You have to also remember that this thread was started as an answer to all those who feel he doesn't really deal with the defensive side of the ball or that he doesn't have a system or really care about the defensive side of the ball. So it may have been wrongly assumed that you had a negative position regarding MDA.

That said, I have heard him talk briefly about what he expects on D many times. He's just never gone on and on about it in detail. As I've said neither have many other coaches. Some coaches simply hire a defensive guru to handle that. As i mentioned Phil Jackson and Doc Rivers aren't the architects of their defensive systems. I think I have more respect for MDA cuz he pretty much created his own based on his offensive attack. Even Van Gundy basically got his from Riley. MDA has fashioned his own unique style of O and D.

Posted by BasketballJones:

Bip & nixluva,

Thanks for trying to have an interesting disagreement, but it didn't work for me. Please try to be less civil next time.