Off-Season Preparation

When you play playoff basketball, you are zoned in on the game one minute and then, after you lose, thrust into the off-season. You go from playing your most intense (and hopefully finest) basketball to preparing for the next go-around. All in (at least it seems) a minute.

Well one thing that I have learned over the years is that after one season ends, it is good, first, to take a breather. To get away. To relax. Regenerate and rejuvenate. How much time away varies on the individual. But no matter who you are, time off is necessary and good.

During that time, however, it seems vital (and this is the second thing) to think through the season that just passed and to spend some time preparing for the preparation period for the season that comes next. That might be a mouth full, but that is what I am trying to communicate. Prepare to prepare for the coming season. Rest, rejuvenate. Absolutely. But while doing so, think through how you might best utilize the off-season for the season that comes next.

In order to do this effectively, it seems best to write things down. Don’t just think through some things now and again. But set aside some time to brainstorm a bit. Watch a few games from the previous seasons. Note your strengths. Note your weaknesses. Then think about how you might better strengthen both your strengths and weaknesses. Do you need a personal trainer? What summer leagues are best? How can you tailor your workouts to improve your game, so that the player you are for next season is much, much better than the player you were before.

You know there are a lot of players that are very talented at a young age, but never really improve upon their game as the years go by. This is due, in large part, to a lack of commitment to get better. Or a lack of vision for who they want to be. Or a lack of preparation for how they are going to get there.

So take advantage of this off-season. It is the time to improve. So it is well worth setting aside the time to adequately prepare for the season of preparation.

Rhythm Disruption

For the first time in a very long time, I was able to enjoy a full basketball game last night. The contest: Game 7 between the Hornets and the Spurs.

The game itself wasn’t pretty. The Spurs were in control of the game throughout and were able to stifle a late run by the Hornets in order to win the contest and the series. Neither team played their best.

Some might attribute this to nervousness in Game 7, but I don’t think that was the case at all. In the end, I think it was in large part due to the scheduling of the game by NBA officials. For the teams last played one another on Thursday. That leaves three days in between the final and decisive game. Now that might not seem like a very big deal, but when you have been playing every other day during the last 3 weeks or so, three days off is a very big deal.

Overseas I usually play once a week. But I get into a rhythm with that schedule as well, so that when we have a week off, it is usually very difficult to keep the same rhythm. Same goes for 2-3 days off when I am used to taking only one. That doesn’t mean you don’t do such a thing. In fact, it is oftentimes needed and necessary. And actually, it might be best physically and mentally to take 2 days off every week if possible. But that is another post.

Anyhow, back to the game. Both teams were clearly not in rhythm. Why? Because the scheduling threw a wrinkle into their basketball rhythm and they had a difficult time dealing with it. The first lesson then is for the NBA: Don’t do that! I, like many other basketball lovers, was looking forward to a great game 7, but in large part because of the scheduling, the game wasn’t nearly what it could have been. The second lesson is for the players. Rhythm is good, but you can’t rely on it too much, because it is bound to be disrupted at some point. Therefore, when those times of disruption come, find a way to switch things up in preparation for the game. It might be an intense game of one-on-one or free pick-up or whatever.

Also, for Coaches, understand this reality. Recognize that your players need rhythm, but also need to understand how to play when their rhythm is disrupted.

In the end, I know the NBA had their reasons (business reasons for sure), but I think they could have done a better job with this one so that both teams could have played their best and felt good ending the series, with either a win or a loss.

Off-Season

Well, with the season over, my family and I returned home to New Jersey late last week. We have had a pretty good period of adjustment, even though we wake up very early in the morning because our body clocks are still off. Actually, this is a practice that I like and hope to continue.

Anyhow, my summer will consist with preparations for next season, a lot of family and friends’ time, a few camps, workouts, vacations and various other things. Regarding next season, I am not sure what the Lord has in store. Banvit, the team I just finished playing for, expressed interest in my return, so that is a possibility if the various factors involved line up. In the end, I never know what comes next, but will surely be looking forward to seeing what that next step may be.

For Crispin Basketball, I am getting to work in filling up our camp in June and possibly preparing another small, three-day camp in State College. I am also available for individual workouts as well.

When I find out more regarding next season, I will be sure to update everyone here.
Checking out for now,
Joe

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