Fresno State Athletics
Reflections of Tark
12/10/2001 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 10, 2001
FRESNO, Calif. - Basketball is an ever-evolving game. Along with the strategies that have changed over time so have the student-athletes. Fresno State head coach Jerry Tarkanian has been around long enough to experience these changes. From Tarkanian's days in Riverside Community College to the new millennium with the Bulldogs, he has always been a testament to the changes and continuities of basketball.
As Tarkanian has proven throughout his career in the college coaching ranks, staying ahead of the opposition is always key to success. One of the major changes that took place was the introduction of the zone defense. It's a strategy that is a must in college basketball despite not always being preferred by coaches.
"I really don't like playing zone, but sometimes you have to. Some coaches are stubborn and refuse to play one style or another but you have to adapt to what the other team's strengths and weaknesses are," Tarkanian explains.
Coach Tarkanian's patented player-to-player defense has remained the same throughout his career. The aggressive defense helps a Tarkanian team to execute his fast-break offense.
Before the shot clock was introduced into basketball, a slow conservative style of offense was the protocol. Teams would hold the ball in the half court as long as possible before taking a shot. The reason for this style was to keep the opponents away from their offense as long as possible. But along with quick, aggressive defense, Tarkanian also had a similar style of offense even back then.
"Pushing the ball up court has always been my style of play even when other teams were still holding the ball. The shot clock and three-point line have really made a difference, though. Now coaches have to adjust to those changes," recalls Tark.
The other important element about basketball that is ever changing is the student-athletes. The training and conditioning that players go through today does not compare to the student-athletes of before. Players can jump higher, run faster and are quicker than ever. For a short while the NCAA had prohibited the dunk shot in basketball. This rule was a sign that student-athletes were getting better.
As the talent gets better, though, Tark points that attitude will always remain the integral part of success. Along with having gifted and talented student-athletes, they must have the desire to be successful to go along with it.
"I think that having players who play hard will always be an important part of the game. The key to success is having great athletes who will play harder than the other team," Tarkanian states.
Another intangible that has changed in basketball is player toughness. With the increase in strength and speed that athletes have, it makes them more susceptible to injury. The speed and intensity that is exhibited in basketball today is the cause for injuries that are more serious than before. Icing down joints and muscles has become a normal practice in all sports today. In the days before the "athletics trainer," playing through injuries was expected out of all players.
"The kids today are better athletes but not as tough as before. Players used to play through sprained ankles and those types of things. Today they miss games because of it. A former player of mine named Moses Scurry was about as tough as they came. You need some guys like that on your team," Tarkanian says.
Basketball will always be a changing game. As the student-athletes that play the game get better and better it will cause more changes. The day might come when the court length is extended and the hoops are raised. In the future people might hear of a 10-second shot clock and a six-point play. One thing that we can all be sure of is that no matter what the trends are and no matter what the rule changes are Tarkanian will be one step ahead.
As coach Tarkanian said in a recent interview with ESPN, "Basketball is my life. It's what I know how to do the best and as long as I can continue to be involved with it, I will."
Whether it is the past, present or future we can always expect a Tarkanian-led team to be aggressive and tough. This style has made Tark one of the legends in basketball. In over 35 years of college coaching experience Tarkanian has experienced the many changes in basketball and players that have come about. In order to be successful, though, the players must have the right attitude to go along with the talent.
