TRICKS OF THE TRADE - CAN OTHELLA HELP THE BIGS

[bigelephant]

This maybe posted elsewhere also but for our discussion it is helpful.

www.washingtonpost.com/sports/georgetowns-henry-sims-re-dedicated-himself-in-the-offseason/2011/11/19/gIQAAK4pfN_story.html

Othella's presence on the coaching staff has been soft pedaled IMO. But there it is in black and white. I think that this is one of the best moves that III had made recently and will pay big dividends as the season progresses. Any thoughts?

[OldHoyafan]

Good point. Othello played for 12 years in the NBA and mostly was used as a defensive and rebounding center/forward. At 6'8" he had to learn positioning and leverage in order to rebound and play good defense. He learned a lot of that under JT2. That is one of the things I think has been missing on JT3's staff, a former Hoya big man to show the bigs how it is supposed to be done. Othello did not have great hops either like Tyler, so he used positioning to get his rebounds. He also used timing to block shots. Hoya big men in recent years have been suckers for the head fake, Sims especially. They would go flying at the offensive player, instead of waiting until he left his feet and then jump to block the shot. I just wish Othello could travel with the team and coach from the bench also. Next item to add to the staff is someone like Gene Smith to teach the Hoya guards how to play pressure defense without fouling.

[strummer8526]

Nov 21, 2011 8:24:55 GMT -5 OldHoyafan said:

Good point. Othello played for 12 years in the NBA and mostly was used as a defensive and rebounding center/forward. At 6'8" he had to learn positioning and leverage in order to rebound and play good defense. He learned a lot of that under JT2. That is one of the things I think has been missing on JT3's staff, a former Hoya big man to show the bigs how it is supposed to be done. Othello did not have great hops either like Tyler, so he used positioning to get his rebounds. He also used timing to block shots. Hoya big men in recent years have been suckers for the head fake, Sims especially. They would go flying at the offensive player, instead of waiting until he left his feet and then jump to block the shot. I just wish Othello could travel with the team and coach from the bench also. Next item to add to the staff is someone like Gene Smith to teach the Hoya guards how to play pressure defense without fouling.

I didn't realize he can't. Why is that?

[kchoya]

Nov 21, 2011 8:24:55 GMT -5 OldHoyafan said:

Othello

[OldHoyafan]

I thought it was some limitation put on him because of the number of coaches, like Gene Keady for St John's. He can be on bench but not take part in the in-game coaching. Maybe someone else can clarify.

[OldHoyafan]

Nov 21, 2011 8:58:01 GMT -5 kchoya said:

Nov 21, 2011 8:24:55 GMT -5 OldHoyafan said:

Othello

KC, you got me. Dementia is a is a hell of a thing. Especially embarrasing since he is a homeboy.

[Elvado]

I have always said, not to offend him, that Othella wasa wonderful basketball player without being a superior athlete. He was effective because he developed a skill set of moves and a deft touch. He should be a tremendous asset to the staff.

[kchoya]

Nov 21, 2011 8:44:50 GMT -5 strummer8526 said:

Nov 21, 2011 8:24:55 GMT -5 OldHoyafan said:

Good point. Othello played for 12 years in the NBA and mostly was used as a defensive and rebounding center/forward. At 6'8" he had to learn positioning and leverage in order to rebound and play good defense. He learned a lot of that under JT2. That is one of the things I think has been missing on JT3's staff, a former Hoya big man to show the bigs how it is supposed to be done. Othello did not have great hops either like Tyler, so he used positioning to get his rebounds. He also used timing to block shots. Hoya big men in recent years have been suckers for the head fake, Sims especially. They would go flying at the offensive player, instead of waiting until he left his feet and then jump to block the shot. I just wish Othello could travel with the team and coach from the bench also. Next item to add to the staff is someone like Gene Smith to teach the Hoya guards how to play pressure defense without fouling.

I didn't realize he can't. Why is that?

You can only have so many assistant coaches.

[bicentennial]

There is a limit on the number of coaches on the bench, but no reason team cannot ask to have control over who gets seats immediately behind the bench to prevent the Greg Monroe Baritone problem like at Duke and having a knowledgeable voice sitting behind the forwards/centers could only help! If Syracuse and UCLA can have more than 15 players on their roster, certainly we should be able to have an assistant coach sit in a purchased seat.

[HoyaSinceBirth]

There's no rule about how many assistant coaches or basketball operations people can be on the bench or travel with the team. Remember when Memphis came to town and there weren't enough seats because they had like 10 "coaches" on the bench.

[strummer8526]

Nov 21, 2011 18:57:22 GMT -5 HoyaSinceBirth said:

There's no rule about how many assistant coaches or basketball operations people can be on the bench or travel with the team. Remember when Memphis came to town and there weren't enough seats because they had like 10 "coaches" on the bench.

Just because Memphis does something doesn't mean it's within the rules.

[whipple]

I forgot about Othello coaching. How old/healthy is he yet? I would think the best things he can do are actively on a practice court (i.e. replicating a future opponent's post moves from tape). Always love another set of eyes (and voice) on the game court though.

[hoyarooter]

Nov 21, 2011 18:45:45 GMT -5 bicentennial said:

There is a limit on the number of coaches on the bench, but no reason team cannot ask to have control over who gets seats immediately behind the bench to prevent the Greg Monroe Baritone problem like at Duke and having a knowledgeable voice sitting behind the forwards/centers could only help! If Syracuse and UCLA can have more than 15 players on their roster, certainly we should be able to have an assistant coach sit in a purchased seat.

How does UCLA have more than 15 players on its roster? One walk-on actually got a scholarship for this year because they had one extra that was undelegated.

[tgo]

Big O is in Maui with the team and was visible on tv during timeouts when he was generally on the outskirts of the huddle on the court

[grokamok]

I'm pretty sure that Henry's up and under move in the Kansas game was right out of O's repertoire.