GREAT PLAYERS FIND THEIR WAY TO THE PAINT

The following comes from an article by Kevin Ding of the Orange Country Register:

If you are able to dig up a copy of Tex Winter's triangle-offense book, initially composed in 1962 and not too long ago cited by Phil Jackson as "our Bible still," you know that post play is paramount.

They are literally items 1A and 1B in Winter's "Seven Principles of Sound Offense." Principle No. 1 is "Must Penetrate the Defense," and written below is "A. Good percentage shots ..." and "B. Stress inside power game."

Yes, Michael Jordan made the triangle famous, and he slashed more than he posted for a Bulls team that had some pretty nondescript centers. Yet that's exactly why Jackson and Winter found irresistible the prospect of coming to Lakerland and dropping post-up powerhouse Shaquille O'Neal into their offense.

Three consecutive NBA Finals MVP awards? O'Neal really should've been called "The Big Apex" for how perfectly the triangle fit him.

But to reinforce our post-up point, let's check in with Jordan, too. Here's the scene ...
Where: Nike sponsorship function. When: Summer, 2005. What: Kobe Bryant picking Jordan's brain about Bryant's impending move from guard to Jordan's wing/small forward position in the triangle.

Jordan's primary advice: "Go to the post a lot."

Jordan wound up there often as time went by in Chicago. More and more, he appreciated it was the place to be in the triangle and a great spot from which to take care of business. But the real crux of it is that illegal-defense rules in his era enabled Jordan to dominate absolutely in isolation on the wing – an option the NBA's legalized zones took away from Bryant.

So, Jordan told Bryant, it's a different game than Jordan played – so Bryant had to embrace all that the post offered.

Bryant has done as he was told, integrating post play into his repertoire that very 2005-06 season, although this season without Gasol has seen him far more aggressively seize post position.

It got to the point that Jackson told Bryant to save it for certain times – and now that Gasol is back, that's precisely what can happen. Bryant, Gasol, Andrew Bynum, Ron Artest and occasionally Lamar Odom will all set up in there, because the Lakers want to use all their size and skill, especially when given mismatches, and because triangle is built for all the positions to be interchangeable.

"We have a bunch of guys who can post," Bryant said. "We have the advantage."

Read the entire article at: http://bit.ly/80s5aC

FAILURE CAN NEVER BE YOUR DESTINATION

What I believe separates good teams and individuals from great ones is the manner in which they handle adversity.

One of the greatest comments I ever head about adversity came from the current Duke University president, Richard Brodhead. He said to me, “You outlive your darkest day.” In other words, failure can never be your destination.

From “Beyond Basketball” by Mike Krzyzewski with Jamie Spatola

PROCESS OVER RESULTS BEST WAY TO TEACH

In teaching our players, I tried to concentrate on the process rather than the result. I think it’s the best way to teach. If a coach starts out on the first day of practice talking about winning, that approach can actually get in the way of winning.

Building a team takes patience and planning. We went through the process step by step, no shortcuts. We repeated drills until good habits were established. We stressed sound fundamentals. We drove home the point that basketball is a team game and the team members need to depend on one another. We talked about the soundness of putting the team first. We taught the players not to dwell on the consequences of failure. We valued each possession, and I encouraged the players not to look at the scoreboard until it became a smart thing to do with a few minutes left, although that was difficult for them to do. We went to great lengths to reward unselfish behavior, and we profusely praised those acts that we wanted to see repeated.

Of course confidence helps, no matter what you’re trying to accomplish, but false confidence and hubris don’t pay off. False praise as a weapon to build confidence? I didn’t believe in it.

A person isn’t going to wake up one morning and suddenly become confident. It’s not that easy. Words aren’t going to do the trick. Confidence must be earned. It takes time, work, dedication — on the part of the teacher and the pupil.

Confidence can be as fragile as an eggshell. Coaches can’t talk players into being confident, although praising players when praise is deserved can help them become more confident. Bet they can do the reverse if they tear players down with criticism. Then self-confidence may never bloom.
Basketball is not a game of perfection. Mistakes are part of it.

Thorough preparation does wonder for anyone’s confidence. We tried to put our players through every situation in practice that they might experience in a game.

Hard work that results in success equals confidence. That’s the only formula I have. I know of no other way. That’s why bad practices really got me down. I never really learned how to handle them.

From, "The Carolina Way: Leadership Lessons From A Life In Coaching"
By Dean Smith with Gerald D. Bell and John Kilgo

COACH MEYER DICTAPHONE NOTES #50

BILL WALSH'S 5-STEP PLAN FOR OVERCOMING DEFEAT

Failure is part of success, an integral part. Everybody gets knocked down. Knowing it will happen and what you must do when it does is the first step back.

My Five Dos for Getting Back Into the Game:

1. Do expect defeat. It’s a given when the stakes are high and the competition is working ferociously to beat you. If you’re surprised when it happens, you’re dreaming; dreamers don’t last long.

2. Do force yourself to stop looking backward and dwelling on the professional “train wreck” you have just been in. It’s mental quicksand.

3. Do allow yourself appropriate recovery – grieving - time. You’ve been knocked senseless; give yourself a little time to recuperate. A keyword here is “little.” Don’t let it drag on.

4. Do tell yourself, “I am going to stand and fight again,” with the knowledge that often when things are at their worst you’re closer than you can imagine to success. Our super Bowl victory arrived less than sixteen months after my “rain wreck” in Miami.

5. Do begin planning for your next serious encounter. The smallest steps – plans – move you forward on the road to recovery. Focus on the fix.

From "The Score Will Take Care of Itself" by Bill Walsh with Steve Jamison and Craig Walsh

THE PERFECT DEFENSIVE POSSESSION

Kevin Eastman's "Perfect Defensive Possession"

1. Get back and set our defense
2. Stop the ball
3. Pressure the ball
4. Stay between the man and basket
5. Contest all shots
6. Rebound

I couldn't agree with Kevin more. The key is what are you doing on a daily basis with your team to improve and maintain in each area?

SEEK CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH ASSURE VICTORY

Seek Circumstances Which Assure Victory from Sun Tzu: For Success by Gerald Michaelson

Thus, there are five points in which victory may be predicted:

He who knows when to fight and when not to fight will win. (scheduling)

He who understands how to handle both superior and inferior forces will win. (system of play)

He whose ranks are united in purpose will win. (chemistry)

He who is well prepared and lies in wait for an enemy who is not well prepared will win. (practice)

He whose generals are able and not interfered with by the sovereign will win. (leadership)

RAY LOKAR'S BE BIG ON THE LITTLE THINGS

The following comes from Coach Ray Lokar's blog which all coaches should have bookmarked: http://basketball4all.blogspot.com/

During the preseason, as basketball coaches are introducing the offensive and defensive game plans, philosophies, and strategies, it is easy to forget some basic actions that can improve players and the team. There are some fundamental things that ANY player can commit to doing, simply by putting their mind to it, without needing to get better at any "basketball fundamentals". These "commitments" can make the player more effective IMMEDIATELY without getting any better at “basketball skills”.

➢ PLAY WITH YOUR KNEES BENT

Always stay in an athletic stance. It is your point of maximum explosion. Be just like a track sprinter coming out of the blocks. Have your knees bent. Be on balance. Be ready to move. You will get open on offense more often. You will guard your man on defense easier. The player with the lowest active stance usually wins.

➢ GET A HAND UP ON EVERY SHOOTER

The only person who can score is the one with the ball. Go guard him even if he is not your man. Help your teammates when their man is open. Go guard him. Contest the shot even if it means leaving your feet, but don’t fall for a head fake too easily!

➢ GAIN POSSESSION WITH TWO HANDS

Always catch the ball with 2 hands--concentrate on the catch before you do anything else. Rebound with 2 hands--and try for every one. Pick up a loose ball with 2 hands--pick it up, don’t dribble it. You will get more possessions for your team and each possession is another chance to score.

➢ TRY TO OUT RUN YOUR OPPONENT EVERY TIME

You will usually break their will with your first three steps. Get ahead of the defense and your teammates will throw you the ball. It will help you get easy shots on offense with your fast break. If you beat the offense back, they may not even try to run their fast break. Getting back on defense will help stop their fast break and cut down on their easy shot attempts.

➢ PASS TO THE FIRST OPEN PERSON

Passing the ball is faster than dribbling it. If you move the ball, you make the defense adjust and they might make a mistake and leave someone (maybe you!) open. If you see an open teammate--throw them the ball. Don’t wait for a better pass. Remember - "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush."

Read this entire post which includes "Offensive Extras" and "Defensive Extras" at: http://basketball4all.blogspot.com/2009/07/be-big-on-little-things.html

ULTIMATE COACHES' CLINIC: GEORGE HALAS

In 2008, Pat Williams, the GM of the Orlando Magic and a tremendous motivational speaker put out a book, "The Ultimate Coaches' Clinic." It is a fascinating book because of the style Pat utilized. He surveyed over 1000 coaches and administrators for insights to what is important to successfully do their job. From time to time I will share a few but it is a great book to own and I highly recommend it. Here are some thoughts from George Halas (Former Chicago Bears Head Coach):

Each player is an individual and must be treated accordingly. Sometimes that turns one man on and will turn another off. You must sense what makes a person go.

The strength and character of the personnel determines the strength and success of the team.

The team that has the greatest desire to win will win if the two teams are evenly matched.

Usually the desire comes from a certain amount of pride in excelling in playing the game.

Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it.

At least 80 percent of the success of the football team is determined by the fight and spirit that they put into their play.

Every player should know every play precisely, exactly, immediately, and without the slightest doubt as to how it should be executed.

Before it is possible to achieve anything, an objective must be set. You need a purpose, an objective toward which to work. You can achieve only that which you will do.

Every organization must have leadership in the area of captains, players, and coaches.What makes a good coach? Complete dedication.

6-POINTS FOR OFFENSIVE STRUCTURE FROM PETER LONERGRAN

Wish I could remember who sent this to me but it's a good list of things to incorporate in your offense regardless of the fact that you run motion, continuity or quick hitters. The list comes was created by Peter Lonergran:

When deciding on which offensive structure or system to implement with a team, it is important to understand what components make for a successful offense. The “six point checklist for offensive structure” can assist in simplifying the choice of structure and ensures that the coach does not waste time implementing and teaching an offensive system that does not provide consistent and scoring opportunities.

Perhaps the most important aspect before even selecting your offensive structure or putting it to the “six point test” is that it suits your playing personnel and is something your players have the ability and skills to operate.

Any offensive system will only be as good as the fundamental base of the players and the bulk of practice and preparation time should be devoted to individual skill development. The next step is to put your offensive structure or system to the “six point checklist."

DOES YOUR OFFENSIVE SET OR STRUCTURE HAVE –

1. OPPORTUNITIES IN TRANSITION (Early Offense)
Any offensive system needs to be able to provide scoring opportunities early in the possession, either after a defensive stop or a made basket. Basic full court organization, perhaps with an inbuilt counter for extended pressure and clear roles for all players in transition, are valuable in creating quality shots early in the possession and possibly “easy” baskets. The transition or early offensive system needs to flow quickly and smoothly into the half court set to ensure shot clock pressure is not created as the offense “burns” clock in getting organized.

2. SPACING
This is perhaps the most important aspect of any offense. Without it, the ability of individuals to execute one on one skills and key elements such as post play and penetration are limited. Whatever the system being used, all players need to have an understanding of spacing and just as importantly, how to identify and react accordingly when spacing is poor.

3. IN-BUILT BALL REVERSAL
As with spacing, the ability to shift the defense through ball reversal is essential to effective team offense. Most effective offensive systems have “in-built” ball reversal, that is, they explore one side of the floor, then create action away from the ball and a conduit to take the ball to that action on the opposite side of the floor. This can be achieved through stepping interior players to the perimeter to reverse the ball, reversing through hands or through the post.

4. OPPORTUNITY FOR DRIBBLE PENETRATION
Ask coaches what is the toughest thing to defend in the half court. Many will reply containing the ball and handling dribble penetration. Penetration of the ball into the key is a vital element of team offense and places pressure on the defense in terms of stopping the ball and then reacting to players in receiver spots. The “drive and kick game” has become more and more prevalent with the change to the FIBA shot clock and most players have the ability to break down an opponent off the dribble. It is essential for an offensive system to provide “penetration lanes” and create action that leads to close-outs and opportunities to “put pressure on the rim” through dribble penetration.

5. OPPORTUNITY FOR POST PLAY
The focus of any offensive system is to create quality, high percentage scoring opportunities and this is often done through the post or creating shots in the lane. The lane and post area can be described as the “80 per cent land of opportunity” so common sense would suggest it a sound idea to create action that provides scoring opportunities in this area of the floor.

6. OPPORTUNITY FOR SHOOTERS
When all is said and done, the name of the game is scoring and putting the ball in the hoop. This can be done in a variety of ways, but good teams combine a combination of early offense, with post play, shots in the lane and perimeter shooting. To ensure a team is both hard to guard and scout, creating opportunities for shooters is important in providing offensive balance and making for a balanced attack. If an offensive set or system has all the above ingredients and players have a fundamental base, there is a strong chance it will provide plenty of quality scoring opportunities.

This checklist can also be used as a reference point during games. Often the offense may struggle because one of the above six points is not in place. There are rarely even magic solutions to team offense or coaching in general, but the application of this checklist and reference to it during the course of practice and games is one way to ensure your team is a tough proposition for any defense.