"Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen."

- Michael Jordan

HOW TO GUARD A SHOOTER

“If you want to make a shot difficult, you have to get the shooter’s attention while she is deciding to shoot. . . A good defender has to interrupt that rhythm and concentration by gaining that shooter’s attention with jab fakes, violent movements – whatever it takes to get the shooter’s attention on you and off the shot”. It’s important to focus on the shooter before she catches the ball. You can also utilize distracting techniques to get a shooter’s attention rather than allowing her to focus on the upcoming shot.

Limit Her Touches

The easiest way to guard a great shooter is to limit her touches. While chasing shooters off screens and beating them to their shooting spots can be difficult, the less touches a great shooter has, the fewer shots she will take.

(Dick DeVenzio, Stuff)

7 LESSONS FROM COACH WOODEN

1. Success Is All About the Little Things

On the first day of practice Coach Wooden didn't discuss basketball strategy. Believe it or not, he taught his players the proper way to put on their socks and shoes so they didn't get blisters.

2. Focus on the Process, Not the Outcome

Coach Wooden didn't focus on winning. He focused on the character of his team, key fundamentals, daily improvement, effort, potential and selfless teamwork. As a result he won...a lot.

3. There's No Such Thing as an Overnight Success

Wooden was at UCLA 16 years before they won their first national title. Today we live in a world where people expect instant results. If a coach doesn't win a title in a few years he or she is fired. Wooden is a testament that greatness takes time.

4. Selfless Teamwork is Great Teamwork

Wooden said, "A player who makes a team great is much more valuable than a great player."

5. There's Power in Humility

Norman Vincent Peale said that humble people don't think less of themselves. They just think of themselves less. Wooden made his life about coaching, leading and developing others and in doing so exhibited true power.

6. Faith Matters

In our politically correct world where people are afraid to mention God, even though it says it on our dollar bill, I find it interesting how in all the media reports about Wooden they talk positively about how his faith guided his life, principles and actions. There is power in faith. More importantly there is enormous power when your faith moves you to love, serve, inspire, coach and make a difference.

7. Your Legacy Matters

The most important thing you will leave behind when you die is your legacy. And the greatest legacy you can leave is your life, your principles and the lives you touch. Wooden didn't spend his life amassing wealth and trying to make a fortune. He invested in others. And while buildings will fall, jewelry will tarnish and money will get spent, his legacy will live on in those who carry his teachings in their heart.

(Thanks Coach Starkey)

FRESH KICKS FALL 2010

In this video, Nike Innovation Kitchen designers speak on the new Nike material, Fuse. We’ve now seen the Nike Zoom Hyperfuse a number of times in many different looks, but this is a great look at the technical material that could take us in to the next generation of Nike Basketball shoes.

By the way, in case these shoes look vaquely familiar... Rajon Rondo has been wearing a green pair in the Finals.

NEVER GIVE JUST HALF

"Leadership is getting players to believe in you. If you tell a teammate you're ready to play as tough as you're able to, at 100%, you'd better go out there and do it. Players will see right through a phony. And they can tell when you're not giving it all you've got."

- Larry Bird

SO UGLY I LOVE IT!

The Air Jordan 2010 is easily one of the most talked-about sneakers in the market today, and it seems this shoe will continue to garner a lot of attention as the year unravels. Later this year, Jordan Brand will release the Air Jordan 2010 Outdoor in a series of colorways including this “For the Love of the Game” colorway.

ADVERSITY MOTIVATES

Years ago, when Bear Bryant was coaching the University of Alabama’s football team, the Crimson Tide were ahead by only six points in a game with less than two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.

Bryant sent his quarterback into the game with instruction to play it safe and run out the clock. In the huddle, the quarterback said, “Coach says to play it safe, but that’s what they’re expecting. Let’s give them a surprise.” And with that, he called a pass play.

When the quarterback dropped back and threw the pass, the defending cornerback, who was a champion sprinter, intercepted the ball and headed toward the end zone, expecting to score a touchdown. The quarterback, who was not known as a good runner, took off after the cornerback and ran him down from behind, tackling him on the 5-yard line. His effort saved the game.

After the clock ran out, the opposing coach approached Bear Bryant and said, “What’s this business about your quarterback not being a runner? He ran down my speedster from behind!”

Bryant responded, “Your man was running for six points. My man was running for his life.”

Nothing can motivate a person like adversity.

(Thanks Coach Starkey)

BE KNOWN FOR YOUR DEFENSE

It's been a while since I've dropped some video on the blog and thought I'd drop a little bit of good 'ol fashioned defense for those who appreciate great D.

Scottie Pippen had to play in Micheal Jordan's shadow and really didn't get the recognition he probably would have gotten had he played anywhere else... of course he probably wouldn't have 6 rings either!

WHAT TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT

"Be concerned with your preparation, not theirs; your execution, not theirs; your effort and desire, not theirs."

- John Wooden

THE BIG QUESTION

"It's not, can you? It's will you?"

- Tony Robbins

DO YOU UNDERSTAND "REAL" LEADERSHIP

Some players think being a great team leader is about who has the best stats and the best game... I totally disagree.

Being a great leader is more about serving your teammates than being a great player. Great leaders understand that and routinely ask themselves questions such as... Do my actions serve the group? Do my actions create value for my basketball team? Do my action take away from or diminish the value of my team?

Although point guards typically hold the title of "Unofficial Leader" on most basketball teams, true leaders are the players that find a way to create value for their team both on and off the court. The more talented and skilled you are in creating ways to make your teammates better, the more value you add to your team. Think of it like this: “Your true worth is determined by how much more you give in value than you take in payment.” Do you provide value to your team or do you take from and expect of your teammates?

You can be that leader...

(Thanks Lindsey Finnelly)

THE BIG PICTURE

"What you are as a person is far more important that what you are as a basketball player."

- John Wooden

WOODEN ON BEING AVERAGE

"Being average means you are as close to the bottom as you are to the top."

- John Wooden

4 Things You Need To Be a Great Ball Handler

You can be an extremely effective ball handler by knowing and practicing 4 things. Most players and coaches make things too complicated. But dribbling effectively is simple. You don't need lots of moves. You just need EFFECTIVE moves. Here's all you need to know to be effective at any level.

1 - You must be able to dribble the ball down the court at any speed (all the way from walking up to sprinting) with both hands. Pretty simple, right? You can simply dribble up and down the court at different speeds.

2 - You must be able to change your pace. Practice changing the pace from walking, slow, medium, fast, and full speed. You can change the pace from slow to fast, medium to full speed, and any other combinations you can imagine.

3 - You must be able to dribble while moving backwards. So now instead of going forward, you need to be able to back out of traffic and so on. That's where the reverse dribble comes into play. Simply, get in a position where you are protecting the ball and shuffle forwards and backwards up and down the court. Next, you can practice running forward at a faster speed, come to quick stop, and shuffle a couple of steps backwards. Mix it up so you can handle any situation.

4 - You must have a primary “go to” dribble move and a counter move. If you perfect a go-to move that's very difficult to stop, good defenders will adjust to stop it. That's when you add your counter move to completely keep the defender guessing.

(Thanks Jeff Haefner)

FRESH KICKS FALL 2010

Nike Sportswear will unleash a Foamposite-inspired Nike Air Force 1 later during the fall of 2010. Iin Nike Sportswear’s words, Foamposite meet AF1, AF1 meet Foamposite.

This Nike Air Force 1 “Foamposite” is sure to garner an abundance of attention considering both the Air Force 1 and the Air Foamposite are two of the most coveted sneakers ever created.

THE BOTTOM LINE

“Success is PEACE OF MIND which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to become the best of which you are capable.”

- John Wooden

John Wooden's definition of success gives one a frame of reference when facing adversity or defeat. Wooden's definition of success is powerful because it puts the onus on you in determining if you gave your best effort. You can't lie or deceive yourself when determining if you gave your best effort. Bottom line - that's all that matters.

PAT SUMMITT ON DISCIPLINE

"Discipline is about more than just punishment. Discipline is the internal structure that supports your organization. Used properly, it can help you maintain order without every having to actually do the unpleasant work of punishing people. It is the basis of leadership. Discipline is the only sure way I know to convince people to believe in themselves. Discipline is the internal mechanism that self-motivates you. It gets you out of bed in the morning. It gets you to work on time and it tells you when you need to work late. It drives you. It is essential to success, whether individually or in a group."
- Pat Summitt

SURRENDER THE 'ME' FOR THE 'WE'

"Good teams become great ones when the members trust each other enough to surrender the me for the we."

- Phil Jackson

ON MAKING DECISIONS

"It takes courage not only to make decisions, but to live with those decisions afterward."

- Mike Krzyzweski

JORDAN'S FRESH KICKS 2010

Jordan has a few new kicks set for Summer/Fall release. The One6One7 is fresh low cut.


The Jordan Pro Strong Royal is set to release in July.

The Jordan 6 Rings Metallic Silver/Light Graphite is slated for release on September 18th, 2010.

BEING AN OPTIMIST - I'M LOVIN' IT!

Had quite an entertaining day today. Got a call early this morning from Orlando... to be more specific, from a company that owns 22 McDonald's in the Orlando area and the lady on the phone wanted to know if I ran the Ready For The Game Camp. After replying "yes," she asked for my fax number and then hung up. What the heck? That was strange. So I patiently wait for my fax. Hmm what could it be?

Tic-toc-tic-toc.... an hour goes by, then two as the fax machine remains silent. So, before going to lunch, I decide to call the number she called me from and find out a little more about this mystery... but I get an answering machine.

Another hour goes by without a response (or a fax). Now my curiosity meter is pegged out. What could McDonald's want with regard to my camp? That's when the optimist in me started to get out of hand... I began thinking about how involved McDonald's actually is with high school basketball. Everybody knows about the McDonald's All American Games... then there's the McDonald's Hoop Time Tournaments... the McDonald's Texas Invitational. Heck McDonald's is like second to Nike at sponsoring High School basketball stuff. Yep, that must be it... they must want to bring the Ready Camp to Orlando (and sponsor it of course). Orlando is a huge market... somehow it will be tied together with their 22 stores... it all makes sense.

Not wanting this opportunity to slip away, I call back again and finally reach the secretary. I tell her about the earlier phone call and that I had not yet received the fax. She replied "Oh yes, you need to speak to Heather in Marketing." So I'm thinking to myself... Heather in marketing? Wow...this is going to be great... with McDonald's doing the marketing this will be huge. Heather's phone rings four, five and six times, and then I get her voice mail. Grrrr right back where I started... no fax, no answers, still wondering.

Late this afternoon, my fax machine finally spits out the golden ticket I had been waiting for all day... a three page fax with the official McDonald's logo.... it was an invitation from McDonald's to.... wha... huh... [sound of air deflating from a balloon in the background] "...we guarantee the success of your field trip... your kids will love to eat our delicious food and play in our PlayPlace, remodeled with a Kid's Club House/Tree House theme... complete with toddler play area... we also offer a unique dining experience that is quite impressive."

They were inviting me to hold my camp at their Orlando Summer Camp facility complete with fine dining... uh thanks Heather, but I'll have to pass on this one. Couldn't help but smile and laugh about it all. I'm lovin' it!

THE KEY TO GOOD TEAM CHEMISTRY

Players often make the team based on their skills... and they often get kicked off based on their personality. Make sure you focus on constantly developing both.

THE MOST IMPORTANT INGREDIENT

"I'm looking for players who make their teammates better. You do that with enthusiasm and passion."

- Mike Krzyzewski

LUCK COMES FROM SWEAT

"Luck is a dividend of sweat. The more you sweat, the luckier you get."

- Ray Kroc

ON FAILURE

"A failure establishes only this, that our determination to succeed was not strong enough."

- John Christia