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In the zone

Who will the new rules help, and hurt, most?

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The NBA has decided to get in the zone.

No, not the Auto Zone (though company founder J.R. Hyde is part-owner of the Grizzlies). We're talking about zone defenses.

Seeking to reverse a trend toward boring isolation play, the league has decided to scrap those arcane rules prohibiting certain types of defenses. For the first time in NBA history, teams no longer will be required to play man-to-man at all times. Now they will be free to play any defense they like -- just like in college.

How will zones affect the game? It's too early to tell right now. Most teams are just now putting in their zone packages, meaning fans probably won't see much until the regular season starts.

On paper, however, it appears that certain teams will be helped -- and hurt -- more than others. Here's a look at five that fall into each category.

Zoned 'in'
	With sweet shooters Ray Allen, Glenn Robinson, Sam Cassell and Tim Thomas, few teams will dare zone-up against them. Meanwhile, they should be able to use zones on the defensive end to mask some of their deficiencies. In fact, head coach George Karl has been relying on a 3-2 zone for years.
	Dirk Nowitzki and Tim Hardaway are big-time zone busters, while Steve Nash is a 40.3 percent career 3-point shooter who also has quickness and creativity to find holes in a zone. On the other end, innovative head coach Don Nelson will make ample use of 7-foot-6 Shawn Bradley in the middle, as well as other "junk" defenses.
	Can't play a zone against 'em if you can't catch 'em. Besides, Peja Stojakovic, Doug Christie and Bobby Jackson can all make foes pay from outside. Like Milwaukee, Sacramento also might be able to use zones to make up for some of its defensive weaknesses -- especially against Shaq.
	With two 7-footers in Tim Duncan and David Robinson and several aging perimeter defenders, San Antonio should be packing the middle on a regular basis. Offensively, Steve Smith and Danny Ferry should flourish. Neither can break down his man off the dribble, but each can shoot the rock from downtown.
	Another jump-shooting team, the Timberwolves should have few problems against any team that tries to box-and-one Kevin Garnett. Terrell Brandon, Anthony Peeler, Wally Szczerbiak and Chauncey Billups can all stroke it. Defensively, the T'wolves should be able to use zones to offset their lack of big men.

Zoned 'out'
	Can't run the pick-and-roll against a zone. `Nuff said.
	Tim Hardaway and Dan Majerle are gone, which means lots of blanket coverage on 'Zo. Meanwhile, Heat head coach Pat Riley is a devotee of man-to-man defense who would rather give up his hair gel than use a 1-3-1. No wonder he's been one of the most vocal critics of the new rules.
	The worst-shooting team in the NBA a year ago, the Warriors should see plenty of zones this season. A prospective Larry Hughes-Jason Richardson backcourt certainly won't scare anybody. If Marc Jackson doesn't return, rookie Troy Murphy will have to develop in a hurry.
	New York's big men can't shoot, and there is no legitimate low-post scoring threat to keep teams from zoning-up on Latrell Sprewell and Allan Houston on the perimeter. Charlie Ward and Mark Jackson aren't exactly marksmen. At the other end, the Knicks have never needed zone defenses to hold foes to 80-point games.
	Steve Francis is likely to face frequent zone traps as foes try to take the ball out of his hands. Meanwhile, they lost their best 3-point shooter in departed free agent Matt Bullard, and Glen Rice is looking like a question mark because of foot and heel maladies.

Marty Burns covers pro basketball for CNNSI.com. Click here to send Marty a question or comment.

 

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