"I Want to Put Points on Your Face"

Author's note: Again, I have to apologize for so many UK-related posts recently. However, in my defense I'm a huge fan and it's the biggest story in college basketball right now. Yes that includes the Final Four. Is it just me, or has this been one of the most boring NCAA tournaments in recent years? I haven't been entertained, Russel Crowe.

One of the all-time moronic questions a sports reporter can ask a player is: How do you think you fit into this style of offense? It's utterly absurd for a number of reasons.

First. I have never heard a player respond to that question by answering that they don't feel their game translates well in that system. The closest a player will come to answering that way is saying their game is more of a get out and run, and they would be limited in a slow it down style. However, that doesn't at all mean they couldn't succeed in a slower system, it just means they don't want to play in that type of system.

Second. If you can play basketball, you can play basketball. It's really that simple. If you can shoot, move intelligently without the ball, handle the ball well with both hands, and get down and guard someone you can play in any system.

With that said, John Caliparis' move to the University of Kentucky not only brings in excitement and talent, it also brings in a new style of play - the dribble-drive-motion offense. The DDM was developed several years ago by a juco coach to utilize the new hand-checking rules that were implemented at the turn of this century. Just as NFL teams began to air the ball out a lot more with the defensive pass interference at the spot of the foul penalty was introduced, the DDR is a response to the advantage given to the player driving with the basketball. Typically, it conists of four players spreading the floor around the perimeter, and one post player that positions himself on the weak side of the paint. This creates driving room for the perimeter players and looks to capitalize on one-on-one mismatches. Here's a typical play:

1. The initial penetrator (A great movie by the way) attempts to blow by his defender, usually without the use of a ball screen as to avoid clogging the lane.
2. As he beats his man, he has three options depending on the defense.
3. (a) If the defense doesn't react quick enought to help he attempts a layup, (b) if a perimeter defender helps off their man, the initial penetrator kicks out to the open shooter, (c) if the post defender helps off his man, the initial penetrator looks to lob it at the rim for a dunk by the post player.
4. If the ball is kicked out to an open shooter they can either (a) take the shot or (b) start the process over again.

It involves a constant attacking of the rim (also a great movie). It's a system that UK fans have been waiting for. It's up and down and constantly going forward. One thing is for sure: We will put points on your face.

But here's the reality - you still need players that can shoot, move intelligently without the ball, dribble with both hands, and guard. The more players on the floor that can do all four the better. In that vein, I doubt we will have room for any more projects in the mold of Shagari Alleyne, Dakotah Euton, or Jared Carter. As Calipari has said, "You have to be able to play."

I'm excited. Time for a diazepam.