Portland's Zone
By: Dan Barto, Director of Player Development, IMG Basketball Academy and The PTC
In the recent weeks of the Portland Trailblazers unforeseen winning streak, the mixing in of a matchup zone has been a major disturbance for opponents. Again, back to my wingspan theory which is that players with abnormally long wingspans are underappreciated, the Trailblazers like the Hawks, have players that play much bigger than their height.
Wingspan relates to the zone defense directly in that players with body control of a 6’3 athlete but cover ground and areas of a 6’7 athlete make the zone bigger than it should be. The ball pressure on the handler is more intense because the player can quickly close out but the same time jam the dribbler at low angles. The area covered is great because contested passes must be thrown higher and less direct. As the ball floats in the air or the receiver adjusts to the shooting pocket, the defense is again instantly in position.
Nate McMillan is a stickler for details offensively with their variety of sets, crisp ball movement, and perfect spacing late in the shot clock. The players obviously understand the details of the angles and discipline of guarding in a zone for 24 seconds because just as they seem to make the perfect pass as the shot clock winds down, the do not give up an easy look as the other team presses to get the shot off. Teams that have tried the zone with a group of well-paid veterans in the past have had streaks of success but eventually gets zapped.(If interested dig up Timberwolves footage from 2005- spring of 2007)
Steve Blake, Travis Outlaw, Martell Webster, Lamarcus Aldridge, Joel Pryzbilla, Brandon Roy, Channing Frye, James Jones, Jarrett Jack, and Sergio Rodriguez all have 2+ wing spans. These players also have above average body control which I would contend would be that of a smaller player. Not athleticism but body control. I actually would argue that the Blazers would win the NBA Championship of Hockey if every team were to lace up their skates and take the ice.
The second key to finishing off zone play is the ability to rebound in space. Given the fact that people have areas not men there is tremendous room for error on the boards. I again contest that the types of athletes Portland possess help. In order to have the body control that this group has lower body strength and single leg strength is imperative. Each player mentioned above is able to use their back side and instincts to find a man to box out. They are then strong enough to hold them for at least a 1-count. Next in a race to the ball the extra long arms can spring to the ball or deflect the ball to a team mate just in the nick-of-time. In watching, the do not lose many “space rebounds” and really fight for the loose balls on the deflect rebounds
