DeShields needs help.

[LVJeff]

We are stuck expecting results from an offensive system built for personnel we don't have.

There is a lot of truth to this, but Holly has actually experimented quite a bit with different lineups, different starters, different combinations, and, different schemes. With the same dismal results.

This team has a myriad of problems, but I think most of the problems could be cured by good guards who can shoot well.

 

[LVJeff]

...This team has a myriad of problems, but I think most of the problems could be cured by good guards who can shoot well.

And I'll add to that a coach who values offense enough to actually practice it.

 

[PRG]

You are a star player, and you are the most gifted player on the team, and the head coach tells you that you (guard, wing players) must move (I would say pass, but we all know it's dribble) the ball around the top of the key and let the post players do their thing.

UNC ran a motion offense with Diamond, a lot of movement, and a lot of fast break (and yes that comes with a high TO rate no matter the team). Imagine what we would see if we saw a different offensive strategy in our game.

As a coach, it is SOOO clear as night and day what the issue is. Diamond wants to win. Diamond wants to lead the team, Diamond has not bought into the offensive strategy. In the same line, she isn't being coached. They want her to settle in, stop pressing the issue of trying to score points. Diamond has only knows how to be a top scorer. The strategy is to let Russell/Graves score the majority of our points. Do you see plays being ran for our players coming off screens for wide-open jump shots? See a player running baseline with a post setting a low post screen? No.

Diamond isn't being used to her abilities, but rather, being forced to play in an offensive strategy that the coach's have made that is post oriented, paint points. So what is the outcome of this situation? A Megan Simmons-esk stat line. And that's not a blow to Megan or Diamond. That's the way Pat wanted it. I think this offensive strategy works when you have players like Holdsclaw, Catchings, Parker's, G. Johnson (never really developed to her potential IMO) that can out work their opponents in the paint because they can jump, score, and move at a pace that nobody can stop them. We don't have that right now in our post.

We are stuck expecting results from an offensive system built for personnel we don't have. Ladies and gentleman, this is the issue. Mismanagement of personal on the offensive side. But I'm not surprised, because here at Tennessee, we are defense first, always have been that way. And that has proven to win championships. I love my lady Vols. Here's to finishing the season strong ... to the best of our abilities.

Well said: Our team should be running and gunning!

This so called "FREE LANCE" OFFENSE inside only! is not conducive to the skill level of these girls. If you turn them loose.,.. it will be a different game! Everyone of them can make the 10' to 12' shot. But they have to play inside to the bigs and outside for the (3) point shot! (Which we all know they cannot make)

TURN THEM LOOSE!!!!!! FREE KORTNEY!

 

[mlindsay]

Well said: Our team should be running and gunning!

This so called "FREE LANCE" OFFENSE inside only! is not conducive to the skill level of these girls. If you turn them loose.,.. it will be a different game! Everyone of them can make the 10' to 12' shot. But they have to play inside to the bigs and outside for the (3) point shot! (Which we all know they cannot make)

TURN THEM LOOSE!!!!!! FREE KORTNEY!

If only Holly would listen! If she was to TURN THEM LOOSE, we could possibly shock some people but she is too stuck in her ways to do so.

 

[bobkitten]

We can't use Diamond as a scapegoat. She was a great player her freshman year and I doubt that you can find one LV fan who wasn't excited about Diamond's choosing the Lady Vols. I think we are looking at a very stressed young lady who has a difficult time playing in our present system. Yes there is a an ego issue, but most great players have that. If you look at Diamond, you see a defeated, and very unhappy, young lady that almost looks clueless. You never say that during her freshman year. She has lost her confidence and basically has gone from a big game player to an unpredictable role player.

Look at all the players and what do you see? Not one player has played up to their high school press clippings, you see it ocassionaly but it is only for a very short time. The question becomes is it the system or is it the players? As a team we are a turnover machine and have been so for the last four years. Not only are the players broken, but the system is broken.

While you make some good points, I was one who thought we were getting trouble. She did not seem happy at UNC;in fact, we know she wasn't because she left.

Last year, on the bench, was a chance for her to solidify with her new team. She did not. She appeared as a fairly uninvolved observer.

Back in the summer when every player and coach who was interviewed praised the Italy trip as helping them mesh. So much emphasis on that made me even more wary.

 

[Amb3096]

While you make some good points, I was one who thought we were getting trouble. She did not seem happy at UNC;in fact, we know she wasn't because she left.

Last year, on the bench, was a chance for her to solidify with her new team. She did not. She appeared as a fairly uninvolved observer.

Back in the summer when every player and coach who was interviewed praised the Italy trip as helping them mesh. So much emphasis on that made me even more wary.

She looked fine on the bench last year. And why should one read so much into the Italy trip? There was a huge change after last year's departure of 2 extremely vocal and animated team leaders.

 

[Spacejam]

Dang! she's the only player on this team judged by body language and facial expression. i bet if she were smiling and laughing when the team is losing they would be an uproar and she would still be accused of not caring or taking the game seriously. i have not been fascinated with Carter's defense this season. there are no plays been run for others it's always get it inside no matter what. i just don't understand why there still pass it to someone who is been doubled or tripled. i don't know what the heck they're doing in practice but it looks more like they spend more time dribbling than passing. no one is ever ready for a pass and at times they look surprised that the ball is passed to them. every player on the floor must be alert and ready for every pass no excuses. nope can't blame another player for other players not getting better coaching is to blame for that. it's quite disappointing how players have regressed in this system.

 

[Orange_Mamba]

Why is every argument brought up is Jordan and Draya play too much and Holly doesn't give Deshields a chance. Well if you'd notice Draya and Jordan minutes have nothing to do with Diamond playing less. Because they don't even play the same position. Jordan is absorbing some of Te'a minutes at pg, which I agree with because sometimes Te'a gets a little dribble heavy and likes to go one one three a lot. Also she has stupid shot selections, I couldn't tell how many times she drove to the basket against Ole Miss and threw up an air ball. Carter get so many minutes, because Lex is injured. Jordan also plays some of the two with Carter. If you haven't noticed we're light on guards.
Nared is the one taking some of Deshields minutes. She could be sharing minutes with Graves at the four, but Graves has been playing pretty solid. Then for those who want Kortney to play more she still would be cutting into Deshields minutes. Which I'm good on Deshields playing less especially since they're still trying to manage her shin splits and come time for the SEC Tournament playing every other day that's going to take a toll on her.

 

[Amb3096]

Why is every argument brought up is Jordan and Draya play too much and Holly doesn't give Deshields a chance. Well if you'd notice Draya and Jordan minutes have nothing to do with Diamond playing less. Because they don't even play the same position. Jordan is absorbing some of Te'a minutes at pg, which I agree with because sometimes Te'a gets a little dribble heavy and likes to go one one three a lot. Also she has stupid shot selections, I couldn't tell how many times she drove to the basket against Ole Miss and threw up an air ball. Carter get so many minutes, because Lex is injured. Jordan also plays some of the two with Carter. If you haven't noticed we're light on guards.
Nared is the one taking some of Deshields minutes. She could be sharing minutes with Graves at the four, but Graves has been playing pretty solid. Then for those who want Kortney to play more she still would be cutting into Deshields minutes. Which I'm good on Deshields playing less especially since they're still trying to manage her shin splits and come time for the SEC Tournament playing every other day that's going to take a toll on her.

Diamond is not a post. She is wing. Diamond plays the 2/3. Jordan and Andraya play mostly 1/2, but slide over to 3 when Holly runs a 3 guard offense.

Te'a (or Alexa), Diamond, Jaime, Bashaara and Mercedes is the starting 5 where each player is at their natural position (Jaime and Diamond are somewhat interchangeable).

Carter/Reynolds should not be on the court nearly as much as they have been.

 

[Orange_Mamba]

Diamond is not a post. She is wing. Diamond plays the 2/3. Jordan and Andraya play mostly 1/2, but slide over to 3 when Holly runs a 3 guard offense.

Te'a (or Alexa), Diamond, Jaime, Bashaara and Mercedes is the starting 5 where each player is at their natural position (Jaime and Diamond are somewhat interchangeable).

Carter/Reynolds should not be on the court nearly as much as they have been.

Never said Diamond was a post. I said Nared could share share some minutes at the four with Graves which she is better suited at. And that playing Korntey more would still cut into Deshields minutes. Maybe I'm wrong but I could've sworn Deshields played the three at UNC, and Gray played the two. Even in a guard line up she still uses Deshields as one of the guards unless she's in foul trouble, which she has been getting in foul trouble early on in the game. Which is another point too she picks up silly reach in fouls and charges early on in the game and is out before halfway through the second quarter.

 

[Amb3096]

Never said Diamond was a post. I said Nared could share share some minutes at the four with Graves which she is better suited at. And that playing Korntey more would still cut into Deshields minutes. Maybe I'm wrong but I could've sworn Deshields played the three at UNC, and Gray played the two. Even in a guard line up she still uses Deshields as one of the guards unless she's in foul trouble, which she has been getting in foul trouble early on in the game. Which is another point too she picks up silly reach in fouls and charges early on in the game and is out before halfway through the second quarter.

There's not much difference between a 2 and 3 in terms of skillset, other than the 3 is supposed to rebound better and be a more versatile defender. In a situation where you have two nearly identically players (in skill set and stature), it doesn't matter much.

I don't think Jaime is a great 4 because she kills the offense when she's there. It's like she's not sure what she's supposed to be doing, and eventually goes into some sort of El Toro drive that never ends well. She's better off using her size to drive and pull up over a shorter defender for a mid-range, not bang with bigger bodies.