A Point Guard's Greatest Challenge

After Stephen Curry posted 33 points and 9 assists the other night to lead Davidson by James Madison, his coach, Bob McKillop said:

"You can see him continue to grow and get better as a point guard.  Decision-making and leadership, two challenges that point guards and quarterbacks always have to master, he's got the technical skills, clearly we understand that, but he's starting to master those other skills, the skills of decision-making and leadership."

There's an old saying: "Good decisions are the result of experience.  Experience is the result of bad decisions."

WHAT??? YOU'RE KIDDING RIGHT?

We just can't catch a break!  Bozeman dropped us from their schedule and that was okay with me because they were ranked so low which didn't help us any.  So we schedule Wewa instead since they were ranked higher and then this happens...

Bozeman beats Wewa 56-2.  I thought for sure that it was a misprint, 2 points...are you kidding me?  Then in this morning's paper, Bozeman beats Laurel Hill 43-39...but it's the way they beat them that surprises me.

"...Bozeman playing the final quarter and a half with just four players, held off Laurel Hill..."  Now Laurel Hill was't exactly a powerhouse, but they looked as bad as Bozeman has.

In addition, Freeport beat Arnold this week 56-40.  What?  If the same Arnold team that we watched at the Freeport Tournament was able to score 40 points on Freeport, then we are going to have a field day with their defense in January.

4:13

ARE YOU AVAILABLE?

One of the best assets of a good player that the average fan rarely even notices, is the player's availability to the ball.  Good players should constantly be asking themselves "Can the ball be thrown to me right now WITH NO PROBLEM?"

Always adjust your position so that wherever the ball is on offense, your teammate can make the pass to you without a problem.

Great players seek out opportunities to get the ball.

4:13

THERE ARE NO LIMITS

“If you always put a limit on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life.  There are no limits.  There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them.”

- Bruce Lee

SAVING THE BALL

When a ball is going out of bounds and you see that one of your teammates touched it last, and you know you can't get it and stay inbounds, naturally you are going to try and bat it or push it inbounds so your team at least has a chance fo it.

The ONLY time you should NOT do this is when you are under your opponents basket.  Your good hustle play could end up giving the other team an easy putback.  

Instead, go ahead and let it go out of bounds (unless of course you CAN get it and STAY inbounds).  You have a much better chance of defending an inbounds play when your team has the time to get set up more-so than trying to defend a loose ball batted back into a crowd under the other teams basket. 

LARRY BIRD ON WATCHING TAPE

"That’s the one thing my staff agrees on: how valuable the (video) tape can be as a learning tool.  Most people don’t know this, but when I was a player I used to go home after a game and watch it all over again on tape.  It wasn’t so much to watch myself.  What I’d do is zero in on plays where I had the ball, and see where my teammates were positioned.  That way I could tell if I could have made a better play, or if there was someone who was open that I hadn’t noticed on the floor. 

It also helped me make sure my teammates were going to the proper spots on the court.  You can’t believe how many times I’d be sitting home replaying a game I had just played, and I’d watch myself come off a pick, and I’d see Danny Ainge, wide open in the corner, and I’d say to myself, “Geez, how did I miss him?”  Then I’d go in the next day and say to Danny, “Hey, you were wide open on that play last night in the third quarter.  My fault."

-Larry Bird

SOMETHING POSITIVE OFF THE BENCH

In UNLV's season-opener last Saturday, freshman DeShawn Mitchell never made it off the bench.

But when the Rebels were only up by three at halftime of their game against UT-Pan American team on Tuesday night, UNLV coach Lon Kruger turned to Mitchell, who'd played just five minutes in the first half.

Mitchell provided the energy the Rebs needed, scoring 12 points to finish with 14 points in 14 minutes as UNLV downed UTPA, 73-48.  UNLV scored 46 points in the second half, 19 more than they'd produced in the opening half.

Mitchell said after the game: "It felt good to be that spark plug for the team."

Along these lines, Bruce Bowen wasn't a starter the other night for the first time in eight seasons.  He'd started in 555 games for the Spurs.

It didn't impact his play.  Bowen finished with a season-high 13 points to help SA beat NY.

Said Bowen: “As a competitor, you may not want it to happen.  It's a matter of just being as professional as you can, and not allowing those things to affect you from the standpoint of not withdrawing from the team.  Coaches have reasons for doing things, and it's important for you to trust in the things they're trying to get accomplished.”

In Utah, Andrei Kirilenko, a starter in all of the 72 games he played in last season for the Jazz, now comes off the bench. In 10 games this season, Kirlenko's not started a single time.

UNC coach Roy Williams described guys who come off the bench as players "who can come in the game and give you something positive -- immediately.  There's got to be a niche they can have that when they come in the game, where you know some part of your game is going to get better."

According to Coach Williams, the key is ensuring that players understand the ultimate goal:  "We try to sell the idea of having a chance to win a national championship, of being the best team, and we try to recruit kids that enjoy winning.  And when we get them, we try to show them how they can be extremely important, and it may not be by starting.  Just because a guy doesn't start doesn't mean he's not extremely important to your team.  We do try to show him, tell him, make sure he understands it and still give him the time to be important in the games."

4:13

An Example of Taking Advantage of Opportunities

In the second chapter of Malcolm Gladwell's new book "Outliers" he describes how in 1960, when they were first starting out, The Beatles were invited to play at a club in Hamburg, Germany, that featured live music every night of the week.

On their first trip to Hamburg, The Beatles played 106 nights, typically for 5-8 hours per night.  The next time they went, they played more than 90 times, again for 5-8 hours.  And so on.  In all, the band made five trips to Hamburg between 1960-1962.

According to Gladwell, they performed for 270 nights in about 18 months.  By 1964, The Beatles had performed live an estimated 1200 times.  Do you know how extraordinary that is?  Most bands today don't perform 1200 times in their entire careers.  The Hamburg experience is one of the things that set the Beatles apart.

As one person close to the band put it:

"They were no good on stage when they first arrived [at Hamburg] and they were very good when they came back.  It was what made them successful."

The Beatles (and others who've had great success) were unique in that they accepted the challenge of performing live while knowing they were only a mediocre stage band.  How many other bands were invited to go to Hamburg but for whatever reason, didn't go?

More importantly, what about the other bands who did go to Hamburg but didn't have the passion, energy, and work ethic to get on stage for 270 nights in only 18 months?  How many quit after the first 10 or 20 or 100 nights?  How many other bands took it serious enough to perform for 270 nights?

Like The Beatles, each of us has an opportunity to become something greater than mediocre, but it takes perseverance and dedication to improvement.

ACCEPTING YOUR ROLE

“Sometimes a player’s greatest challenge is coming to grips with his role on the team.”

-Scottie Pippen

On May 13, 1994, down 2-0 in the series and tied 100-100 in Game Three, Bulls coach Phil Jackson needed a big play from his team to have any hope of advancing to the next round of the playoffs.  With 1.8 seconds left and the score tied, Jackson designed the last play for rookie Toni Kukoč, with Pippen relegated to simply inbounding the basketball.  Pippen, who had been the Bulls' leader all season long in Jordan's absence, was so angered by Jackson's decision to not let him take the potential game-winner that he refused to leave the bench and re-enter the game when the timeout was over.

Although Kukoč did eventually hit the game-winner, a 23-foot fadeaway jumper, there was little celebrating to be done by the Bulls, as television cameras caught an unsmiling Phil Jackson storming out of the arena.  "Scottie asked out of the play," Jackson would tell reporters moments later in the post-game interview room.  Those seeking further answers found Pippen in the locker room after the game, looking shell-shocked and disoriented; when asked to confirm Jackson's statement, Pippen could only respond with "Yeah, pretty much ... We exchanged words, and I just took a seat."

Teammate Steve Kerr elaborated when recently asked to recall the event: "I don't know what got into Pippen.  He is such a great teammate and maybe the pressure was getting to him and he just could not take it anymore, no one knows for sure but he is a team player."  Pippen later apologized to his teammates after the incident.

There are going to be times throughout this season where I will shake up the lineup a little to take advantage of our strengths or to attack our opponents weaknesses.  It says a lot about the character of an athlete when they are willing to accept their role on any given night for the good of the team.  

4:13

DON'T MAKE IT EASY

Most players, even lazy ones, give the impression they are ready to play good defense during the first five seconds of any defensive play (including boxing out).  So consequently, any shot taken in the first five seconds or so (the first pass) is likely to be well defended and followed by five defenders that are not only ready to box out but also ready to start their fast break.

So taking a shot on the first pass makes it easy for the defense.  No running across the floor chasing the ball, no cuts to have to guard against, no screens to get over or through, no man to have to guard, no fakes to worry about.  One pass and the shot goes up and then it's 50/50 as to who gets the rebound.

So it should be obvious...the first-pass shot should be refused (even if it is a good look) unless there is no time left on the clock.  The same shot can still be taken later when the defenders are out of position to box out and start their break. 

Don't get in such a hurry that we start throwing up a shot everytime we have an open look.

4:13

CHEMISTRY TEST

Great quote on team chemistry from University of Florida coach Urban Meyer: 

"I've been a coach for 25 years and I've seen about three or four teams with great chemistry," Meyer said. "It's uncommon to have a team with great chemistry - unselfish play, guys that care about each other, guys that work each other in practice, guys that hang out together off the field and guys that have a little relentless effort."

TRY HARD

This seems like an obvious thing, but very few players do it.

How many times have you ever watched a game where there is always one player on the court that is playing harder than everyone else?  They may not necessarily be the best player, but they are giving every ounce of effort they have within them on every play.  

These are the type of players that coaches respect the most.

4:13

The Importance of Balance

Balance is the basic building block of basketball performance.  

Without good balance, no cut can be made quickly, no shot can be shot quickly, and no jump can be performed quickly.  Above all, basketball is a game of quickness.  If a player is off balance and needs to gain balance before moving, this results in hesitation. 

As we all know, 'She who hesitates is lost. 

The Way to Victory

Victories of life are won not on the courts where the decisive struggle takes place, but in the obscure and forgotten hours of preparation.  Success or failure lies in the hands of the individual long before the hour of final test comes.

To be the best and experience success – is no accident; we reap precisely what we have sown and nothing else; we do well precisely what we have prepared to do.

The world puts its force into us when we put ourselves in right relation with it: Experience makes us constantly wiser if we know how to rationalize it: Time deposits all manner of treasure in our imagination and memory, if we hold the doors open.

Nothing is lost upon a person who is bent upon growth, nothing wasted on one who is constantly preparing for her work and her life by keeping eyes, mind, and heart open to God, books and experience.  All things that she has seen, heard, known and felt come to her aid at the critical moment to make her thought clear and keep her goal within reach.

Don't Pee on the Rug!

Throughout the length of a 25 game season, there are going to be games where your shot isn’t “on” or when you don’t feel as energetic or as motivated as you would like to be…these are normal occurences in basketball as well as our in our everyday lives and we shouldn’t be surprised when we encounter these rough times - it happens.

Winning or losing should always be secondary to your goal of performing to the absolute best of your ability.  When you hear me hollering on the bench, please do not take it personally.  I am not angry with YOU personally, I am angry at the lack of execution or the lack of effort.  

Like the example I used to a few of you last night….most of us have a dog that we love dearly, almost like a part of the family.  Let’s say this beloved dog is nice and comfy in the warm house and he decides that he just doesn’t feel like going outside when it’s cold and he leaves you a little unwrapped present on the rug – I’m sure most of us would be angry.  That doesn;’t mean that we no longer love our dog…it just means that we are disappointed with his actions. (I know…a strange analogy, but it was the first thing that came into my mind)  Know that when I’m yelling, it’s not at you personally, it’s at your actions (lack of execution or effort).

The important thing to remember is that when we find ourselves in a situation where things aren’t working out as planned, just stay focused on your goal of performing at your absolute best and chip away at it one blow at a time (and don’t pee on the rug).

4:13

PEER PRESSURE

They did what I couldn't...

Talk Coach Moss into relaxing tha game day dress code for the girl's team.  Surrounded by 12 of the best - they gave him no choice!

WARM UPS ON GAME DAY

Good job ladies!

4:13

LIVE STRONG

"My main thing is that no matter what is going on around me, is to keep my Faith strong. I'm so thankful when I'm on a team where I have true Christian brothers who are really in for my best interests. That is so encouraging ."

- Mike James

New Orleans Hornets

GOOD vs. MEDIOCRE

The ability to be consistent is what separates a good player from a mediocre one.  Mediocre players are the ones who occasionally do something good, but good players EXPECT to perform certain tasks over and over again ROUTINELY.

You don't expect praise for never giving up a lay up, you just do it because it's do-able.  Things that are do-able you do over and over again, every time.  Good players have an everytime-kind of pride, and that's what coaches call "consistency."

Consistency separates winners from losers.

4:13

ENGAGE 1

When you are dribbling downcourt and there is a defender between you and the basket, go straight at her rather than show her which side you want to go to.  By going straight at her, you “paralyze” or freeze her until you decide just a few feet from her.

You can win a ten-foot race against anyone when you have a running start and your opponent must start from a turned-around, stopped position.  This is precisely the case when you go at a defender and suddenly veer off – whether you are dribbling, or cutting to receive a pass.

If a defender is playing between you and the ball, run straight at her and veer off at the last instant.  By going straight at her, you force her to race you from that standing position.  If you show her which side you are going to run to, you enable her to get a moving start too, and to stay with you.

4:13

Living in the Moment

Came across an article about a book called “Mind Like Water” and one of the chapters, called “Live in the Moment” made me consider the importance of recognizing where we are in our busy lives.

In the author's words, "By being so concerned with what's next...we steal attention from the present.  [It's] the ultimate absent-mindedness.  When the mind becomes focused exclusively on the future, pretty soon we're not here at all."

Living in the moment has several benefits, according to the author, including efficiency (by eliminating worry); fearlessness (being "here" gives you ease and confidence); intelligence (by being totally mindful); and creativity (the present is the only place where something can be created).

"When you are on a journey, it is certainly helpful to know where you are going...but don't forget that the only thing that is ultimately real about your journey is the step that you are taking at this moment."

IMPRESSIVE

"...Very impressive...I've played enough ball to know that these girls know their stuff..."  Those comments came from Covenant's new Pastor.  He spoke in terms of seeing smart play like "..their use of defensive angles.." and "...creating the open shot..."  I think the team just added a new fan.

Surprisingly, there were a couple of Central's fans that had some positive comments as well.  Central's scorekeeper asked "didn't we beat this team last year?" and then followed that question up with "How?"

Another Central parent said "...although I didn't like the loss, it was certainly worth watching...ball handling at the high school level is as good as gold and these girls can do it..."

Hannah, Haley and Jess gave the scorekeeper a workout last night by scoring 24, 17 and 16 respectively.  Our low turnovers (ONLY 10!) was the most impressive stat (to me) since our goal was to run on Central and that usually means more turnovers.

We shot 39.1% from outside (outstanding) and 40.4% (also good) from inside the arc.  We were 66.6% from the line which is another great stat.  22 steals, oh and another BIG stat is that we had 3 charges (4 if you count Rachel charging into the pad! --sorry Rach, but I said I was going to get ya!)  

Defensively, we successfully executed our game plan on Camilla.  She had 6 points from the field, the other 11 points she had to earn at the line which she was pretty good at.  She told me after the game that "...my whole left side feels bruised..."  Our defensive pressure on their guards was oustanding!  Our quick recognition to help on defense shut down Central's ability to effectively run their offense.  Oh by the way...#5 scored zero points!  #12 scored 1 point.  #4 scored 5 points. 

Great job on D!!!

4:13  

TOTAL TEAM EFFORT

Ask any coach and they will tell you, the difference between a good team and a great team comes down to the bench.  How deep is the bench and can they deliver when called upon.

The answer to both of those questions is no longer in doubt.  The bench delivered...and I mean BIGTIME!  19 of our 56 points came from the bench.  26 of our 48 rebounds came from the bench.  15 of our 32 steals...that's right, you guessed it, came from the bench.

We hit a few rough patches tonight which is to be expected in the first game, especially being that we really haven't practiced together as a team in about a week. 

Aletheia's size looks impressive at first glance, but smart decision making and good ball handling will beat size 99% of the time. (ask Hilliary)

Great job ladies!

4:13

RULE #1

Came across a quote this morning that every successful athlete adheres to.  "Know who you are and what your game is."

On the surface, it sounds simple - right?  But the average player doesn't really understand that concept.

I've watched several of the boys varsity practices over the past couple of weeks and I see the exact opposite happening.  I see players trying to impress each other or the coaches by attempting some kind of wild acrobatic move to the basket, or some off-balance fade-away shot that rarely ends in success.  

What most of those players are really doing is showing everyone in the gym WHAT THEY CAN'T DO!  

Know your game - take advantage of your strengths.

4:13

OVERRIDING DEFENSIVE PRINCIPLE

A strong defensive system should have an overriding principle — a theme in which the defense is built around.  At Covenant, that overriding principle is: “STOP THE BASKETBALL.”

STANCE

Whether you are playing man-to-man or a zone, if you are going to be solid defensively, you must first be ready to stop the ball. 

There are three keys to a good basketball stance.  First, we want the proper body position.  Second, we want to evenly distribute our weight in order to have good balance.  Finally, we want to move in our stance in such a way that allows control.  The combination of position, balance and control gives us maximum speed, quickness and agility.

While most players do a good job of assuming a stance at the beginning of the possession, only a few are disciplined enough to stay in their stance the entire time.  Staying in your stance and mastering the proper footwork can help any player take their game to the next level.  Regardless of size or speed, you will instantly become a better basketball player by maintaining a good basketball stance.

BALL PRESSURE

If stopping the ball is the overriding principle to our defense, then ball pressure becomes one of the most critical elements.  We want to be able to control the basketball and dictate where it will be dribbled.  Our point of pick up on the basketball will start at half court.

HAND ON THE BALL

► If the ball handler has the ball but has not used her dribble, we want to be down in our stance with one hand “mirroring” the basketball at all times.

► If the ball handler is dribbling, we want to be down in our stance with our outside hand pressuring the basketball.

► If the ball handler picks up her dribble, we want to get as close to her without fouling as possible and have both hands aggressively “mirroring” the basketball.

► If the ball handler is attempting to pass, we want to have our outside hand extended in the passing lane, attempting to alter the pass or deflect it.

► If the ball handler attempts to shoot, we want to get a hand up on the ball in an attempt to block or alter the shot.  This is an aggressive maneuver, but we want to challenge every shot taken by an opponent.  We do not believe that a hand in the face will effect a good shooter — we want to make her change her shot.

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of playing aggressive defense.

4:13

THE REAL STRENGTH OF OUR TEAM

It takes more than five players to make a winning team.  The starting five may win the game, but it takes the whole team to win the championship - to go all the way.

The team is like an iceberg.  You see the starting five, but underneath it is that big, wide, strong base - the rest of the team.  This is the part of the team that builds the character of a lasting winner.

The more dedicated the player on the bench, the harder she works, the more she pushes and strengthens the starting players - the higher she pushes the iceberg out of the water - the bigger it gets - the better the team.

If she quits, doesn't give her all, or becomes complacent in her position, she erodes that strong base and erodes the character of the team.  She contributes to the error in a tense, close game.  She is partly to blame for the mental lapse in the final minute of a big game.  She undermines the total effort necessary for the team to come back from an unexpected 3-pointer in the final few seconds in the championship game.

And yet this player on the bench must be there - watching, waiting, and hoping - sometimes agonizingly - for the chance to use her special skill to better the team effort - to make the base of the iceberg stronger - to help build the character of the team.

Yes, agonizingly because she knows there is a chance she may not play.  She may even be the player that is hurt, but working twice as hard to be ready to play for the big games.  She may be the player on the bench that demonstrates to the fan that this team really has character from the bench to the court.

But even more importantly, she may be the girl that the player in the game looks to late in the game.  That player may be hurting, out of breath, and burning inside for that spirit, that push, that enthusiasm, and that love necessary to make the big play and win the game for the whole team.

When the game is over, when the season ends and all of the parents and fans are talking about the top of the iceberg, the stars and heroes, the players will know that the real winner is the team, the whole iceberg, especially the base - the players on the bench who build the character to make the team a lasting winner.

Good teams do not become great without the efforts of their role players.  I know your importance to this team…and I thank you.

4:13