|
Post by swift on Oct 5, 2015 2:43:03 GMT -5
I think the biggest difference between the two teams was/is Bruno. Sure Phil didn't have his best game but Nick got served all the time so he was supposed to take care of business like Bruno did. Imo Bruno is the better player at the moment and I don't know if Nick can outplay him. However next year in Rio things can look differently. Alison and Bruno could cool off and maybe Phil and Nick can gain some momentum. Who knows...
Overall I thought this was a great tournament. I like the idea of the 10 best teams going against each other. Maybe the tournament format could be even better but in general it's a great way to finish the season.
|
|
|
Post by guest2 on Oct 5, 2015 3:58:26 GMT -5
In terms of pure defenders, not sure anyone is close to Bruno right now, maybe the Latvians. Defense not really in vogue right now. Of the top teams, who is really a great defender? Reindeer is old, Nick is still showing he can side out enough to be considered an elite player
The other Dutch guys, Evandro/Pedro, Casey/Jake all feature so-so defenders who make up for their average or worse defense in other areas.
|
|
|
Post by digdugg on Oct 5, 2015 7:24:05 GMT -5
The formula for Nick/Phil to win right now is Phil playing circa 2008 and Nick siding out against any defender not named Bruno. Bruno just has a read on Nick right now - you saw it in Long Beach too. Bruno takes away his over line shot and is quick enough to get to his cutty and with Alison blocking, it is a tall order (right now) for Phil/Nick to bea those guys. And Phil cannot figure Bruno out at all which is strange - the guy is barely 6 foot. I think Phil was fatigued and mentally exhausted. It has been a long year. I am hoping that the offseason gives them some time to develop some offensive strategies that get the out of the ruts they can get into such as back setting to move the block or going over on two, whatever it takes. I also hope they get some real coaching - I see Baxter is their coach now, anyone know whether Baxter is the best coach for them? Seems like they could pull the best coach available whoever that is...
|
|
|
Post by klazk on Oct 5, 2015 7:24:30 GMT -5
In terms of pure defenders, not sure anyone is close to Bruno right now, maybe the Latvians. Defense not really in vogue right now. Of the top teams, who is really a great defender? Reindeer is old, Nick is still showing he can side out enough to be considered an elite player The other Dutch guys, Evandro/Pedro, Casey/Jake all feature so-so defenders who make up for their average or worse defense in other areas. I don't know what you consider "top" teams, but Fijalek is pretty darn good. They are currently 11th in the Olympic rankings, so just outside the top 10.
|
|
|
Post by swift on Oct 5, 2015 8:30:20 GMT -5
The formula for Nick/Phil to win right now is Phil playing circa 2008 and Nick siding out against any defender not named Bruno. Bruno just has a read on Nick right now - you saw it in Long Beach too. Bruno takes away his over line shot and is quick enough to get to his cutty and with Alison blocking, it is a tall order (right now) for Phil/Nick to bea those guys. And Phil cannot figure Bruno out at all which is strange - the guy is barely 6 foot. I think Phil was fatigued and mentally exhausted. It has been a long year. I am hoping that the offseason gives them some time to develop some offensive strategies that get the out of the ruts they can get into such as back setting to move the block or going over on two, whatever it takes. I also hope they get some real coaching - I see Baxter is their coach now, anyone know whether Baxter is the best coach for them? Seems like they could pull the best coach available whoever that is... True. What makes it so difficult to block Bruno is the fact that he attacks from like 5-6 feet off the net. Which is pretty remarkable considering his size. So Phil's ability to reach over the net isn't really effective against Bruno. And of course he's got a big variety of shots as well.
|
|
|
Post by guest2 on Oct 5, 2015 8:39:51 GMT -5
The formula for Nick/Phil to win right now is Phil playing circa 2008 and Nick siding out against any defender not named Bruno. Bruno just has a read on Nick right now - you saw it in Long Beach too. Bruno takes away his over line shot and is quick enough to get to his cutty and with Alison blocking, it is a tall order (right now) for Phil/Nick to bea those guys. And Phil cannot figure Bruno out at all which is strange - the guy is barely 6 foot. I think Phil was fatigued and mentally exhausted. It has been a long year. I am hoping that the offseason gives them some time to develop some offensive strategies that get the out of the ruts they can get into such as back setting to move the block or going over on two, whatever it takes. I also hope they get some real coaching - I see Baxter is their coach now, anyone know whether Baxter is the best coach for them? Seems like they could pull the best coach available whoever that is... Its been a long year? For Phil? He played 11 events.
|
|
|
Post by beachster on Oct 5, 2015 13:42:58 GMT -5
IMHO Bruno is just plain ridiculous. I saw almost all of his matches in Long Beach, as well as all of his finals on TV this year, and he scoops everyone all the time - not just Nick. I don't know what his digging percentage is, but it seems like he scoops over half the balls that get past Allyson. I don't think I've seen anyone else really do that.
Also people don't talk about Bruno's vert, but he can sky. His vert has to be 40". Watch on video - his knees are up at the bottom of the net on every hit. That's what allows him to hit way off the net, as well as hang a long time and decide what to do in mid-air. Notice how pretty much everyone serves Allyson these days - but everyone served Emmanuel when Allyson played with him - and Emmanuel has a sick sideout game.
It's like Bruno has the defensive / sideout brain of Todd Rogers and the athleticism of someone like Jason Ring. Maybe like a young Karch.
|
|
|
Post by digdugg on Oct 5, 2015 14:23:31 GMT -5
The formula for Nick/Phil to win right now is Phil playing circa 2008 and Nick siding out against any defender not named Bruno. Bruno just has a read on Nick right now - you saw it in Long Beach too. Bruno takes away his over line shot and is quick enough to get to his cutty and with Alison blocking, it is a tall order (right now) for Phil/Nick to bea those guys. And Phil cannot figure Bruno out at all which is strange - the guy is barely 6 foot. I think Phil was fatigued and mentally exhausted. It has been a long year. I am hoping that the offseason gives them some time to develop some offensive strategies that get the out of the ruts they can get into such as back setting to move the block or going over on two, whatever it takes. I also hope they get some real coaching - I see Baxter is their coach now, anyone know whether Baxter is the best coach for them? Seems like they could pull the best coach available whoever that is... Its been a long year? For Phil? He played 11 events. Long year to include mental fatigue associated with injury rehab, partner change etc. While some will argue these guys don't play nearly as many matches as old school yada yada, the international and domestic travel/play schedule has to wear on players with time change, hotel etc...
|
|
|
Post by tinman2 on Oct 5, 2015 14:41:53 GMT -5
The formula for Nick/Phil to win right now is Phil playing circa 2008 and Nick siding out against any defender not named Bruno. Bruno just has a read on Nick right now - you saw it in Long Beach too. Bruno takes away his over line shot and is quick enough to get to his cutty and with Alison blocking, it is a tall order (right now) for Phil/Nick to bea those guys. And Phil cannot figure Bruno out at all which is strange - the guy is barely 6 foot. I think Phil was fatigued and mentally exhausted. It has been a long year. I am hoping that the offseason gives them some time to develop some offensive strategies that get the out of the ruts they can get into such as back setting to move the block or going over on two, whatever it takes. I also hope they get some real coaching - I see Baxter is their coach now, anyone know whether Baxter is the best coach for them? Seems like they could pull the best coach available whoever that is... When they interviewed Baxter Sunday, he didn't have anything strategic to say. Watched a lot of international coaches in Lauderdale that were taking video and tracking stats on laptops. All the while Mike Dodd was just chilling and talking with current and ex players. MD is coaching Italy, but scouting other teams didn't seem to be a priority. Talked with coaches from the Netherlands and Austria and they put a lot of effort into tracking tendencies of their team and others. So does Brazil. I agree that Nick/Phil would benefit from an experienced coach that knows what he's doing.
|
|
|
Post by tinman2 on Oct 5, 2015 14:43:03 GMT -5
By the way, don't forget that Nick and Phil beat Bruno/Alison four days earlier.....
|
|
|
Post by digdugg on Oct 5, 2015 14:54:34 GMT -5
When they interviewed Baxter Sunday, he didn't have anything strategic to say. He had even less strategic thoughts in his long beach interview if you can believe it...
|
|
|
Post by guest2 on Oct 5, 2015 15:48:14 GMT -5
The formula for Nick/Phil to win right now is Phil playing circa 2008 and Nick siding out against any defender not named Bruno. Bruno just has a read on Nick right now - you saw it in Long Beach too. Bruno takes away his over line shot and is quick enough to get to his cutty and with Alison blocking, it is a tall order (right now) for Phil/Nick to bea those guys. And Phil cannot figure Bruno out at all which is strange - the guy is barely 6 foot. I think Phil was fatigued and mentally exhausted. It has been a long year. I am hoping that the offseason gives them some time to develop some offensive strategies that get the out of the ruts they can get into such as back setting to move the block or going over on two, whatever it takes. I also hope they get some real coaching - I see Baxter is their coach now, anyone know whether Baxter is the best coach for them? Seems like they could pull the best coach available whoever that is... When they interviewed Baxter Sunday, he didn't have anything strategic to say. Watched a lot of international coaches in Lauderdale that were taking video and tracking stats on laptops. All the while Mike Dodd was just chilling and talking with current and ex players. MD is coaching Italy, but scouting other teams didn't seem to be a priority. Talked with coaches from the Netherlands and Austria and they put a lot of effort into tracking tendencies of their team and others. So does Brazil. I agree that Nick/Phil would benefit from an experienced coach that knows what he's doing. I dont understand why any coach would give away strategy in an interview and a 13-15 loss isnt bad strategy its bad execution. Phil/Nick seem to have improved since they got together and their strategy now is better than it was then. (Phil on two more often, Nick's shot to swing ratio, higher setting for Nick) Is that down to Baxter? Maybe and maybe not. With regards to Dodd, he took on an Italian team that was nothing and helped them become very, very good. (Lupo and Nicolai) Dodd wasnt their coach this year, except for the WTFinals. Apparently one of them had cancer so their lousy season may be because of that. MD has coached some very successful teams over the years. I believe he was Phil and Sean's coach when they were atop the FIVB and i think Jake and Sean when they were world champs. Plus Lupo and Nicolai and others. Keeping stats is important no doubt, but in a sport like beach volleyball stats are often going to be deceptive absent a ton of context. The overhwelming majority of FIVB matches teams play are against teams of no consequence. Phil/Sean were best in the world last year. Nicolai/Lupo and Allison/Bruno were the next two teams. Phil/Sean played each of them twice. Are Nick's stats against Latvia of value in analyzing how he will play against Christian and Reindeer? Are Nick's stats in pool play against Vanatu of any value at all? Also coaches taking video? Stats? That stuff has long term benefit but in the context of one tournament why not just set up a camera and then watch the match. You can take the stats etc. later and instead try to get a feel for what people are doing.
|
|
|
Post by guest2 on Oct 5, 2015 15:56:00 GMT -5
Its been a long year? For Phil? He played 11 events. Long year to include mental fatigue associated with injury rehab, partner change etc. While some will argue these guys don't play nearly as many matches as old school yada yada, the international and domestic travel/play schedule has to wear on players with time change, hotel etc... Thats 5 international trips over 8 months? six of those were domestic tournaments and two required no travel at all. Mental fatigue associated with injury rehab? Partner change? Its a little silly to argue this since Phil didnt claim it, and they look stronger than ever now, but its preposterous to suggest that they should be fatigued from what is realistically a part time schedule
|
|
|
Post by tinman2 on Oct 5, 2015 16:10:56 GMT -5
When they interviewed Baxter Sunday, he didn't have anything strategic to say. Watched a lot of international coaches in Lauderdale that were taking video and tracking stats on laptops. All the while Mike Dodd was just chilling and talking with current and ex players. MD is coaching Italy, but scouting other teams didn't seem to be a priority. Talked with coaches from the Netherlands and Austria and they put a lot of effort into tracking tendencies of their team and others. So does Brazil. I agree that Nick/Phil would benefit from an experienced coach that knows what he's doing. I dont understand why any coach would give away strategy in an interview and a 13-15 loss isnt bad strategy its bad execution. Phil/Nick seem to have improved since they got together and their strategy now is better than it was then. (Phil on two more often, Nick's shot to swing ratio, higher setting for Nick) Is that down to Baxter? Maybe and maybe not. With regards to Dodd, he took on an Italian team that was nothing and helped them become very, very good. (Lupo and Nicolai) Dodd wasnt their coach this year, except for the WTFinals. Apparently one of them had cancer so their lousy season may be because of that. MD has coached some very successful teams over the years. I believe he was Phil and Sean's coach when they were atop the FIVB and i think Jake and Sean when they were world champs. Plus Lupo and Nicolai and others. Keeping stats is important no doubt, but in a sport like beach volleyball stats are often going to be deceptive absent a ton of context. The overhwelming majority of FIVB matches teams play are against teams of no consequence. Phil/Sean were best in the world last year. Nicolai/Lupo and Allison/Bruno were the next two teams. Phil/Sean played each of them twice. Are Nick's stats against Latvia of value in analyzing how he will play against Christian and Reindeer? Are Nick's stats in pool play against Vanatu of any value at all? Also coaches taking video? Stats? That stuff has long term benefit but in the context of one tournament why not just set up a camera and then watch the match. You can take the stats etc. later and instead try to get a feel for what people are doing. Well in a tournament where you know exactly who your next opponent is going to be over the first four days of the tournament, scouting certainly has value. Phil/Nick beat Bruno Alison and four days later got waxed. Part of it was Phil's poor serving, but a larger part was Brazil serving Nick short. I'm sure that strategy was something they would have picked up on by reviewing video from their first match.
|
|
|
Post by guest2 on Oct 5, 2015 16:23:08 GMT -5
I dont understand why any coach would give away strategy in an interview and a 13-15 loss isnt bad strategy its bad execution. Phil/Nick seem to have improved since they got together and their strategy now is better than it was then. (Phil on two more often, Nick's shot to swing ratio, higher setting for Nick) Is that down to Baxter? Maybe and maybe not. With regards to Dodd, he took on an Italian team that was nothing and helped them become very, very good. (Lupo and Nicolai) Dodd wasnt their coach this year, except for the WTFinals. Apparently one of them had cancer so their lousy season may be because of that. MD has coached some very successful teams over the years. I believe he was Phil and Sean's coach when they were atop the FIVB and i think Jake and Sean when they were world champs. Plus Lupo and Nicolai and others. Keeping stats is important no doubt, but in a sport like beach volleyball stats are often going to be deceptive absent a ton of context. The overhwelming majority of FIVB matches teams play are against teams of no consequence. Phil/Sean were best in the world last year. Nicolai/Lupo and Allison/Bruno were the next two teams. Phil/Sean played each of them twice. Are Nick's stats against Latvia of value in analyzing how he will play against Christian and Reindeer? Are Nick's stats in pool play against Vanatu of any value at all? Also coaches taking video? Stats? That stuff has long term benefit but in the context of one tournament why not just set up a camera and then watch the match. You can take the stats etc. later and instead try to get a feel for what people are doing. Well in a tournament where you know exactly who your next opponent is going to be over the first four days of the tournament, scouting certainly has value. Phil/Nick beat Bruno Alison and four days later got waxed. Part of it was Phil's poor serving, but a larger part was Brazil serving Nick short. I'm sure that strategy was something they would have picked up on by reviewing video from their first match. Thats not exactly an unknown strategy for playing them. Plus who is to say that they didnt review video from their first match. Just because Baxter wasnt walking around with a camera doesnt mean they didnt have video. Its a pretty big jump to go from "I saw Baxter without a camera" to "He's a bad coach." Plus 15, 13 is execution not coaching. They got murdered. A 21-18 loss may be a coach's fault, a 21-13 one almost never is, unless that coach didnt have his team prepared to play and Phil/Nick seemed prepared based on the rest of the event.
|
|