GOOD RANGE

I know a few guys like the statue. They wait for the ball. They play no defense. They won't even drive for the bucket. And it's all rationalized now because of the three-point line.

If I were a coach today, and believe me I was never a good coach at any level for any sport. In fact, I'm probably one of the few coaches at MTV High that retired without a single victory. My career varsity record was 0-2. But if I were a coach today, I'd set it up for the three point shot.

Putting players on the perimeter opens up the middle. If the defense is focusing on the middle, it opens up the three point shot. Of course in a man-to-man, it comes down to that, but there's no diamond and one or clogging the low post if there's a threat of the bomb. Simple? It seems that way to me.

Also, what sense does it make to shoot 12-15 footers when you get an additional point for canning one from 19 feet, one inch? Shoot the long shot and forget shooting percentage. Three if it goes, zero for a miss. Ok, but how many times do teams take a short shot with the same zero result? Risk or reward? Go for it.

If this doesn't make perfect sense to you or Jerry Sloan or any long time coach, just remember--I have my record to stand on.