How to guard James Blackmon

[StateStreet123]

I watched the beatdown of IU last night at Michigan. This is the third game in a row where I have focused on Blackmon. My conclusion is that he is as right-hand dominant as RJ was lefty.

Last night over the course of the entire game Blackmon only drove left twice. And neither time did he end up shooting. Guy loves to go hard and right, even if the defender is guarding him right - he goes out even further.

Watch it next time and thoughts? Would this be easy to take away?

 

[meenie]

He doesn't have a left hand. That is why he never handles the ball. He just drives to the right side of the bucket for a layup or the right side of the key for a three pointer. Also, he hates contact. Michigan was roughing him up early, and he was completely taken out of the game.

 

[bonefish1]

He also loves to shoot the 3 from the top of the key. Don't know why you'd ever let him have that look.
I think we'll see PJ on him and PJ will get very physical, force him left, run him off the 3 pt line, not give him any good looks from 3, especially from the top of the key. Contain him and iu struggles offensively.

 

[bled1720]

Stand at the IU 3 point line. But your hand up.

 

[tjreese]

He doesn't have a left hand. That is why he never handles the ball. He just drives to the right side of the bucket for a layup or the right side of the key for a three pointer. Also, he hates contact. Michigan was roughing him up early, and he was completely taken out of the game.

I watched Bryson guard him in an all star game his junior year and his play at Kokomo his senior year and those times would have me agree with you on physical play and going to the right...which is why I didn't understand why he was allowed up teh right side of the court in his last second shot for a win a couple of games ago. He has to bring the ball into his right side shooting pocket to shoot and only had time for a three ball...

 

[TwinDegrees2]

I watched the beatdown of IU last night at Michigan. This is the third game in a row where I have focused on Blackmon. My conclusion is that he is as right-hand dominant as RJ was lefty.

Last night over the course of the entire game Blackmon only drove left twice. And neither time did he end up shooting. Guy loves to go hard and right, even if the defender is guarding him right - he goes out even further.

Watch it next time and thoughts? Would this be easy to take away?

Living in the Marion area, I watched him several times in HS and he has no left hand. He can't stand physical play...never has been able to. His dad built the offense around Jr., and he's never had to play a lick of defense always being covered by the other four guys just as he is at IU.

Force him to his left, beat on him and take him out of his rhythm.

 

[SIBoiler2]

Beat on him on D and pray that you're the guy he has to guard on the other end of the floor!!!

 

[Boiler1313]

Have Bryson Scott defend him...that's his kryptonite. Stay in his face and force him left.

 

[Dakota Girl]

I watched Bryson guard him in an all star game his junior year and his play at Kokomo his senior year and those times would have me agree with you on physical play and going to the right...which is why I didn't understand why he was allowed up teh right side of the court in his last second shot for a win a couple of games ago. He has to bring the ball into his right side shooting pocket to shoot and only had time for a three ball...

Saw that psu game finish also. They gave him a down hill release and never made him even turn. Bryant's man needed to step into his path near the mid court screen to make him go left into the middle where there was more help. No need to even guard Bryant at mid court with only a couple to ticks left. Not giving him an easy up court inbounds would have chewed up a couple seconds also.

 

[DG10]

I watched the beatdown of IU last night at Michigan. This is the third game in a row where I have focused on Blackmon. My conclusion is that he is as right-hand dominant as RJ was lefty.

Last night over the course of the entire game Blackmon only drove left twice. And neither time did he end up shooting. Guy loves to go hard and right, even if the defender is guarding him right - he goes out even further.

Watch it next time and thoughts? Would this be easy to take away?

It is a very valid observation...which begs the question(s) then, how/why would you let him go right (as MSU did repeatedly...as PSU did repeatedly, etc.)?

He will drive to the basket on occasion from the top of the key to the left side, but far less often than he goes right, and never with the same conviction.

I have never been a fan of him/his game...I respect his ability to score, and he has talent no doubt, but, I just don't like his game or how he plays, I don't like the "fake" emotion, and he is as one-dimensional a player as there is...never mind that he does not make his team or those around him better...I have contended and wholeheartedly believe that much of that team's struggles are tied directly to his presence.

 

[tjreese]

Saw that psu game finish also. They gave him a down hill release and never made him even turn. Bryant's man needed to step into his path near the mid court screen to make him go left into the middle where there was more help. No need to even guard Bryant at mid court with only a couple to ticks left. Not giving him an easy up court inbounds would have chewed up a couple seconds also.

As always...dont they let them catch it in stride and take away the dribble and shooting pocket by shading his right hand. Yeah I wasn't impressed. Range for a right hander is extended when allowed to step into the shot with the right foot