USC/Memphis Grizzlies Defensive Concepts – Kevin O’Neill

By Erick Blasing

First of all, I apologize for the quality of the prints but that is how I received this information from the USC basketball office regarding defensive concepts. Former Trojan coach, Kevin O’Neill served as an assistant for one season, 2008-2009 with the Memphis Grizzlies. That time must have made a big impression on Coach O’Neill as he adopted many of their defensive philosophies during his tenure at USC. Over the next few posts, I will share this information with you. Enjoy 🙂  

2008-2009 Memphis Grizzlies:
24-58 record, last place in the Western Conference, Southwest Division

Head Coach (s): Marc Iavaroni (11-30), Johnny Davis (0-2), & Lionel Hollins (13-26)

Assistant Coaches: Henry Bibby, Johnny Davis, Rob DuBois, Andy Greer, Barry Hecker, Dave Joerger, Kevin O’Neill, and Damon Stoudamire

Roster:

00 Darrell Arthur

1 Kyle Lowry

3 Javaris Crittenton

3 Darius Miles

7 Greg Buckner

11 Mike Conley

13 Quinton Ross

15 Hamed Haddadi

21 Hakim Warrick

22 Rudy Gay

30 Adonal Foyle

31 Darko Milicic

32 OJ Mayo

33 Marc Gasol

55 Marko Jaric

Points Allowed Per Game: 99.3 #14 in the NBA

Sources: http://nba-historical-teams.pointafter.com/l/134/2008-2009-Memphis-Grizzlies

http://www.hoopsstats.com/basketball/fantasy/nba/memphis-grizzlies/team/roster/09/14/1

http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MEM/2009.html

For today, I have included the document in the order that it was sent to me. We start with the Memphis defensive profile, goals, and transition defense.

Defensive Concepts:  Transition Defense:

3 rules are given to start this section. (Page number 4 & 5 are mixed up in the scan.)

1. We will not give up:
   1. Layups/Deep post ups
   2. Open 3’s
   3. Unnecessary fouls/free throws
2. Five steps to great transition defense teams:
   1. Get ahead of the ball and see the ball
   2. Stop the ball above the three point line
   3. Matchup/Communicate
   4. Load to the ballside
   5. Think help
3. Major reasons teams/players don’t get back:
   1. Disappointment/frustration
   2. Celebrating a great play
   3. Complaining to referee about a “no call”
   4. Waiting a split second before starting to sprint back

Points 4-5 = Tandem Triangle & Loading to the Ball

Points 6-7 = Bigs Up with Screeners & Kick the small (post) out

Points 8-9 = Defending the post in transition & Tag

Points 10-11 = Point 10 is cut off but covers sprinting middle of floor & No man’s land

Point 12 = Vs. Cross-matches

Individual Defense (½ Court) :

Verbal nuggets: Finish the Defense = multiple efforts

Tough Plays = Enjoy the Contact

Points 1 & 2 = Ball Pressure & Scoring Area

Defense on the ball BEFORE the Dribble

Points 1 & 2 = Playing a live ball & Stance

Points 3 & 4 = Tracing the ball & Closeouts

Scoring Area Ball Pressure:

Points 1 & 2 = No middle into no paint/Weak into no paint & Square stance

Points 3 & 4 = Step-slide concept & Slide and chest

Points 5 & 6 = Run-Glide-Run/Beat to Spot Concept & Sag and Tag

Points 7 & 8 = Green on the wing & Spy

Defense on Pickup of the Ball:

Points 1 & 2 = Swarm & Challange shot/no airspace/blockout

Points 3 & 4 = Block cuts/After pass & Sprint off/Sprint to elbow

Defense in the low post:

Point 1 = In the low post &  Wing/High Post Denial Pressure

Click on the pdf link to download the USC/Memphis Grizzlies Defensive Concepts – Kevin O’Neill:

USC/Memphis Grizzlies Defensive Concepts – Kevin O’Neill