Okafor - foul shooting

[Tim1515]

I'm guessing this has been discussed...maybe in a game thread...but the staff made a small change that could have a huge impact in the tournament.

I'm sure people notice that Okafor has switched to the Mason, no dribble foul shot. I'm sure sure if it started in the ACC tournament but I know I've seen it in the first two NCAA games. In those two games he is 5/8 from the line...including 2-2 against SAn Diego St.

It has been noted before he has decent form the problem is mental. With a little success early it could put him on a good steak like Mason at the most important time of the year.

Made this isn't worth it's own thread but it wouldn't surprise me if Jah makes a few big shots from the line on Friday and hopefully Sunday.

 

[GTHC_ GTH!]

I am really worried, now that we are in the Sweet 16, teams are going to start fouling him early and often. I'm shocked that SDSU didn't do it. He was killing them and I can't believe they just didn't foul him. And now, it wouldn't surprise me if Utah starts doing it and if it is working, they will do it even more. And then, as Duke progresses, other teams will. His new form or whatever is what it is. Who knows if it really will help. But, I am afraid of what teams are about to start doing.

 

[HeLooks2MuchLikeDave]

Well its just like the Hack a Shaq strategy. It looks brilliant when he misses his free throws, but it ends up costing you the game if he makes them. Its a very risky proposition to give your opponent two foul shots every time when you are trying to cut a deficit.

 

[The Right Blue]

I don't understand why they didn't try this earlier with him. What did he have to lose? His FT shooting was abysmal.

 

[HuffyJB]

It is a mental thing, and the no dribble/just shoot strategy would seemingly alleviate a portion of that. No thinking and getting in your own way; just set up and pull the trigger.

 

[duke0527]

agreed teams may try it, but the downside is it would put Duke in the bonus early. At that point, it would behoove them for the guards and Winslow to take it to the tin and get to the line.

 

[DukeDenver]

Originally posted by duke198025:
agreed teams may try it, but the downside is it would put Duke in the bonus early. At that point, it would behoove them for the guards and Winslow to take it to the tin and get to the line.

Anyone know where this phrase comes from? As far as I know, tin has never been used to make basketball goals. Is the flashing around the plexiglass tin? Or is just a cool sounding phrase that Raftery popularized?

 

[GTHC_ GTH!]

They wouldn't let Winslow or Jones or whatever have the chance to drive. They would just foul Okafor once the ball was in play. They would grab him. That's how they do it in the NBA against Deandre Jordan. And, if Oak starts to miss, they will keep doing it because it will be messing with his head. If he is making some, they may stop. I just have a feeling we are gonna see it at some point, especially if he starts to dominate.

 

[vcugreg]

I was worried about this a few weeks ago, but with the recent string of game stoppage to "check the monitor", I'd be surprised if a team blatantly deploys this scheme. You not only run the risk of getting Duke in the bonus fast, but also what happens when Jah gets hammered during this scheme and they call it a flagrant? Too risky. Trust me, I was in the worried camp about Jah and a team doing the hack-a-shaq on us, but I just don't see it happening on a large scale or even on an every possession deployed style. Heck, if a team does decide to do that, then expect K to pull Jah once we are in the bonus and put our best FT shooters in. With the way games are being called now, stopping the game for 10 minutes to review one foul, I just don't see a coach taking that chance...

Every team we play going forward will be capable of beating us. I don't see a coach left that will concede his team's ability to purely beat us and rely on a technique that's looked at as desperate.

 

[dukiejay]

It kind of is what it is....you hope it doesn't cost us in the long run.

 

[dukedevilz]

Jakob Poeltl only shoots 45% on his free-throws. We can't exactly employ the same tactic as we have limited bodies and we certainly don't want Jah picking up extra fouls. But Plumlee, Jefferson, or Allen could give a foul or two in certain situations if he gets too close to the rim. Poetl is shooting an incredible 69% from the floor this season.

 

[dbav]

Originally posted by duke198025:
agreed teams may try it, but the downside is it would put Duke in the bonus early. At that point, it would behoove them for the guards and Winslow to take it to the tin and get to the line.

Good point. If they try it early, then the game plan could change to making sure Quinn and Tyus get the ball and drive on every possession. They are solid foul shooters. Plus you don't want you bigs to get into foul trouble early.

I think the strategy becomes a good one when you are already in the bonus and don't have much to lose.

 

[bleediteveryday30]

Originally posted by dukiejay:
It kind of is what it is....you hope it doesn't cost us in the long run.

^This.

 

[BuckinElkin!!]

Someone mentioned earlier, you can do that, but it puts Duke in the bonus and then it allows K to sub O for D and to have excellent FT shooters on the floor in the last couple minutes.

Its like any other strategy,, there are pros and cons....

 

[chov1125]

Originally posted by GTHC, GTH!:
They wouldn't let Winslow or Jones or whatever have the chance to drive. They would just foul Okafor once the ball was in play. They would grab him. That's how they do it in the NBA against Deandre Jordan. And, if Oak starts to miss, they will keep doing it because it will be messing with his head. If he is making some, they may stop. I just have a feeling we are gonna see it at some point, especially if he starts to dominate.

You can't do that in college like you can in the pro's....It is another corny NBA rule and even there you can't do it in the last couple minutes....In college if they were to just grab Okafor it would be intentional and we would get 2 shots and the ball....I will take that every single time.

 

[skysdad]

Originally posted by chov1125:

Originally posted by GTHC, GTH!:
They wouldn't let Winslow or Jones or whatever have the chance to drive. They would just foul Okafor once the ball was in play. They would grab him. That's how they do it in the NBA against Deandre Jordan. And, if Oak starts to miss, they will keep doing it because it will be messing with his head. If he is making some, they may stop. I just have a feeling we are gonna see it at some point, especially if he starts to dominate.

You can't do that in college like you can in the pro's....It is another corny NBA rule and even there you can't do it in the last couple minutes....In college if they were to just grab Okafor it would be intentional and we would get 2 shots and the ball....I will take that every single time.

Jah hit every free throw he shot in the SDSU game. That was 100%. He's on a roll and going to make 75% the rest of the way so that means lots of old school three points. So go ahead a foul him Utes and he'll put up 30 on you. OFC

 

[gottagonow]

You must also think about they player that would foul Jah. If its a high profile scorer then he might get in foul trouble and then if Jah makes the basket anyway its a possible 3 point play. I think it would backfire on the other team if used against Jah too often. Possibly a time or two in critical possessions but then what if he makes the basket and an intentional is called? Its backfired then also.