With apologies to the Bard:

To shot clock or not to shot clock? That is the question.

Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of a quick, fast basketball team's outrageous up-tempo, fast-break style, replete with relentless zone and man-to-man presses and lightning quick transition, as beckoned by a 35-second or 30-second shot clock?

Or to take arms, sans shot clock, against a sea of troubles by employing a slowdown, patient style of ball predicated on passing and swinging the ball around halfcourt to create openings in the defense? And by opposing end that posession with two points and an opponent bedraggled by having to play defense for a full three mintues? Or longer?

Aye, which is the rub? Speed or slowdown? Fast break or four corner?

Read about it in this week's Home Team page. And sound off! What say, SportsBlog Nation?