Thought he handled the zone tremendously on Saturday. I always consider the zone to be a tougher defense for big men to handle because they can't naturally post and if they do get it in the paint they usually have a bunch of hands reaching in. It is usually a struggle for big men, especially freshmen big men, to constantly work the baseline moving with the defense to the open spot and handling those constant hands reaching in when they catch the ball at the foul line.
Cliff handled both areas beautifully. He made himself available for passes constantly throughout the game on the baseline leading usually to a good look (yes sometime it did get blocked though). He moved when defenders moved right to the goal and that led to several oops and a few lay up attempts. Hopefully here soon he can learn to use the pump fake and get a cleaner look or get fouled in those situations.
He also handled the middle of the of the zone perfectly. He didn't do it often as he was usually the baseline release but the few times he was in the middle he did what he is suppose to do and that is get the ball out and swinging. Didn't have to stop and look around and didn't panic when a couple players began to reach in. He immediately fired it out and either got the ball swinging or he hit the open shooter.
I'm guessing he is used to the zone because he saw it a lot in the CPL but still very impressed with how he handled it Saturday.
Cliff handled both areas beautifully. He made himself available for passes constantly throughout the game on the baseline leading usually to a good look (yes sometime it did get blocked though). He moved when defenders moved right to the goal and that led to several oops and a few lay up attempts. Hopefully here soon he can learn to use the pump fake and get a cleaner look or get fouled in those situations.
He also handled the middle of the of the zone perfectly. He didn't do it often as he was usually the baseline release but the few times he was in the middle he did what he is suppose to do and that is get the ball out and swinging. Didn't have to stop and look around and didn't panic when a couple players began to reach in. He immediately fired it out and either got the ball swinging or he hit the open shooter.
I'm guessing he is used to the zone because he saw it a lot in the CPL but still very impressed with how he handled it Saturday.
