RealGM

There something I never understood about the NBA and hopefully you guys can clear this mystery for me. I've watched NBA games for almost 6 years and have failed to see a properly deployed full court press. Occasionally when there is 10 seconds left in the game, one guard will guard his man full court. But other then that, I haven't seen a full court press that looks like its been practiced and mastered. I feel teams like Golden State and Portland could use this to their advantage. Really quick and athletic teams. I feel if any NBA team was to be trained to use a full court press, they could use it to their advantage. If someone has a good explanation as to why teams don't attempt it, please explain?

They get tired and will have no more gas left in the tank by the 4th quarter.

Because in the NBA, guards are so solid that it would be nearly impossible to try to deny them the ball and keep them in the backcourt for the 8 second violation. Even if you do get them for maybe 5 seconds, by then, you are panting and can't get back to stop them in the halfcourt. I mean... it might work against a college team, but not the NBA.

i always wondered about this also. I always though athletic teams could use it effectively against teams with below average ball handlers.

Eric12 wrote:Because in the NBA, guards are so solid that it would be nearly impossible to try to deny them the ball and keep them in the backcourt for the 8 second violation. Even if you do get them for maybe 5 seconds, by then, you are panting and can't get back to stop them in the halfcourt. I mean... it might work against a college team, but not the NBA.

I understand the guards are really good but the point of a full court press is hardly ever to keep them behind half court for 8 seconds, its to steal the ball. And usually in a full court press, the ball is double teamed causing the guard to force a pass. Its a good way for really quick athletic teams to use that advantage of slower and less athletic teams. I mean if Baron and Ellis pressed Darrick Martin while Webber, Biedrins and Jackson set up properly around the floor, they could force a very likely turnover.

b/c any halfway decent team can break a press in a matter of seconds and leads to 2 on 1's and 3 on 2's on the other end

some do, but it can't be used exclusively. if you do, teams are good enough to be able to pass it ahead, and then basically have a fast break. it works if you suprise teams with it on occasion.

the lakers second unit, does a ton of full court pressure

There is a great video of Aaron Brooks shredding the Portland full court press when the game was on the line. Maybe that video will answer your question.

Detroit likes to do it when they question the guard bringing up the ball, or whenever Lindsey Hunter is activated.

It takes more energy to press than it does to break it. Who wants to gas their stars? NBA teams aren't as deep as college teams. And NBA players aren't as inept as college players at breaking the press either.

Usually when teams recognize a full press they get one man to run up the court and receive the pass, then all of a sudden it's a 4v3 in favor of the offensive team and that right there is an easy basket. I've seen chris paul, rafer alston, and jason kidd destory full presses like it's their second nature. Which then leads to easy baskets and a tired defensive team.

i always full up on nba live...steve nash always throws it directly out of bounds out of frustrration.

its awsome.

Generally NBA players are much more skilled and able to overcome it much more easily than college players... They have better ball handling, spacing, and are able to make decisions quicker and more decisively... So why risk giving up an easy basket when you can just play it safe and play normal defense, especially with the quality of defenders in the league in comparison to college...

there's a reason rick pitino is coaching college and not pro. nba players will tear up any team that consistently plays the press.

^^ Yea the press is only really used in high pressure situations or late in games. That's when it's most effective. Playing it all the time will leave a lot of holes in your D.

It's because all the offensive team has to do is throw it down court really fast and they have an easy 2. Not many NBA teams know how to employ a full court press.

EiRON wrote:They get tired and will have no more gas left in the tank by the 4th quarter.

Bingo, exactly what I was thinking.

its a gamble, if they get burned your one man short. if i were a coach i would apply light pressure and then set up my defense in the halfcourt instead of making my pg press the opponent.

rewill17 wrote:i always full up on nba live...steve nash always throws it directly out of bounds out of frustrration.

its awsome.

that's because you're playing nba live.

GrapeJuices wrote:Usually when teams recognize a full press they get one man to run up the court and receive the pass, then all of a sudden it's a 4v3 in favor of the offensive team and that right there is an easy basket. I've seen chris paul, rafer alston, and jason kidd destory full presses like it's their second nature. Which then leads to easy baskets and a tired defensive team.

This. Any NBA team with a capable point guard will beat the full court press rather easily and get easy points. It's a dumb gamble to take, unless the opposing team on the floor doesn't have a real NBA point guard.