Getting back on D better than going after O Rebounds

Here's a little gem for all of you coaches out there...

Quote :

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{bunch of statistical gobbeldy gook}
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All those numbers are suggesting that going back on defense is indeed the superior strategy for NBA teams than crashing the offensive board. Teams which tend to go back on defense will not only see a better defensive efficency, but also a better scoring margin per 100 possessions. But they also say that being better at rebounding is actually a helpful trait in order to win games; just that being the better defensive rebounding team is much more important than being the better offensive rebounding team.


http://bbmetrics.wordpress.com/crashing-the-offensive-board/

It's an interesting conclusion, supported in this case by 25 years of data, but I think it is a bit funny that these stat heads think they are stumbling onto some new information. Thinking back, pretty much every good coach I ever had knew this and put it into practice. We spent hours working on defensive rebounding, and there was no sin as unforgivable as not getting back on D. These are fundamental principles that every good coach knows and pounds into his players with an almost religious zeal.

I guess it's always nice when science and mathematics can prove what we have known for years, but also good to remember that sometimes the traditional knowledge is traditional for good reason.