Absolutely!! Phil Ford, to me, is the greatest and most valuable Tar Heel of all time, unless you want to go WAY back, and Lenny Rosenbluth, and others could stake a claim. During those years of the Four Corners, when Phil Ford was there, it was an individual type. Once he got his hands on the ball, the game, for all intent and purpose was over, the majority of the time. He was almost unstopable, and if you fouled him, he hit in the upper 80s at the line.
When James Worthy and Jordan, Kenny Smith, etc. ran the Four Corners, it was explosive, because of the clearouts, each one running the point, and they were given so much freedom to go to the basket. They scored with frequency when they ran it. When Ford ran it, he pretty much was THE weapon, so he was more individualistic in that sense. But he is also, the all time leading scorer for the Heels, and was such a floor general..
Carolina always used to run, what they called the passing offense, for years and years. Which was the total team concept. Pick, and cut and pass!! But later in Dean's coaching career, I think he loosened up a bit in that regard. When the Stackhouse's and Jamisons, Wallace and Carter's came around, I think he started using a little more of the one on one game. But not on a consistent basis.
Coach K has an interesting coaching style, to me. He definitely sicks the dogs on you on defense, which I really like. I think you are right, with his offense, more clearouts, and a system that allows more for individuality. Which is really interesting, having been an assistant to Bobby Knight, who is ALL about team, possibly even more than Dean Smith was.
Who would be your all time great Duke team? I hope it includes Mike Gminski...I think he is my favorite Dookie!! |
