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Message: [QUOTE="Bone Dog, post: 4998816, member: 12088"] Excellent post. I think you’re absolutely right that the press is a gambler’s defense. But even young folks in peak physical condition get mentally tired — that’s the point, to trade the stamina of a deep bench for the mental stamina of the opposing teams guards. And I think you’re right that he wouldn’t do it for entire games even if he has the bench for it. It makes more sense to use it in spots to disrupt a game plan. We’ve seen him do this in the first few minutes of the third quarter as a way to upend whatever new plan the other coach gave his team at halftime. Nika was especially good at this, and having Aubrey next to her was almost cruel. But it is worth noting that Ash and Morgan routinely spearheaded a press for entire games in high school. Those two have the stamina for it just by themselves. The model I’m imagining can be seen in the Texas game two seasons ago. Nika Aubrey and Azzi mounted a press for the first few minutes and it disrupted Texas really well. But they didn’t use it for long. By contrast, opponents have oftener used a press in the closing minutes of a game hoping to come from behind. This is often a failed strategy insofar as the guards being pressed are by that time in their game mode. Presses work best at the beginning of halves. [/QUOTE]