White Guys in the NBA Part 3

Jon,

I have posted the third part in my series concerning the Outside the Lines video.  Scary thing is that I am just getting started.

Check it out here.

Until later…

Joe

Great Road Win

It wasn’t an easy one by any means, but we ended up the victor over Rimini, 85-83, this past Saturday night. It was a much needed road win for us, so I am thankful to have gotten it. We are now 12-5 and in sole possession of second place, two games behind the first place team (who we play in two weeks).

I ended the game with 26 points and, more worthy of note, 7 rebounds. Next up: Casalpusterlengo this coming Sunday at home. I am hopeful our winning ways can continue.

White Guys in the NBA Series

Jon,

I am currently in the midst of a series of blog posts on this Outside the Lines video concerning White American players in the NBA (or the lack of them!). My posts, of course, all pertaining to hoops, so I figured I would tell anyone who is following us here. Check them out at JoeCrispin.com. I even mention you in part 1!

Until later…

Joe

Good Home Win

We won a good game the other day against Casale. Final score: Enel 90 Casale 82. They had won four straight before coming to our place, so it wasn’t easy.

I played one of my better games, ending with 21 points and more than 4 assists (though that is what the stat sheet said!). Next up: Rimini away on Saturday. They beat us bad the first time around, so I am hopeful we can play a good game!

Coaching Conversation

Jon,

While on the topic of coaching, here’s a conversation between Bob Knight and Coach K that I really enjoyed.

Embracing Minor Gains

Jon,

Good stuff.  I am sure you will address this sometime soon, but as I was reading your post, I couldn’t help but ask myself, ‘Why are fewer and fewer basketball players proficient in the fundamentals of the game?’

Numerous things came to mind, but I will only mention one:  In order to help players become proficient in the fundamentals of the game of basketball, and to help them actually appreciate the mastering of those fundamentals, coaches have to be people who delight in seeing players make minor developmental gains.

That’s a mouthful, I realize, but it is very important.  In order for a player to master the fundamentals of the game, he needs a coach.  Few, if any, can master the fundamentals by simply watching the television or the older guys out on their local court. Coaches are needed.  Players need to be taught.

Not just by anyone, though.  The AAU coaches who get together a team so they can travel and meet college coaches are usually helping themselves as much as anybody.  Putting five guys and a ball out on the court doesn’t make you a coach.  Or at least not a good one.  No.  In order to be a good coach, you must delight in teaching the game.  And, more than that, find satisfaction in seeing bit-by-bit growth in your players.  You have to be the kind of person who gets excited to see a young man or woman dribble an extra five times with their left hand or shoot a smoother jumpshot.

That might sound simple, but the evidence says that these kind of coaches are difficult to find.  Though I am not a coach right now (except to little Elijah and the kids we get at camp), that’s the kind of coach I want to be.  One who delights in seeing the minor gains, even if it doesn’t mean much gain for myself.

Another Win

We won our final game of the first half of the season the other day versus a tough Pavia team. They are currently in last place, but I don’t think they will be there for long. Final score: Enel Brindisi 83 Pavia 80

I didn’t play much of the second half, but did end up with 15 points on 5-10 shooting. I was happy with the win though. We start the second half of the season against Casale this coming Sunday at home. We are currently 10-5 and in fourth place, though tied in wins with the second and third place teams. I am hopeful we can hit our stride during the next few months. They are probably the most important of our season.

Player development in professional sports.

Last summer I watched 5 of the top 20 draft picks in last years NBA draft workout before an open (invite only) run at UCLA’s Men’s Gym. As I watched these highly acclaimed future millionaires stumble on basic footwork drills and other 5th grade level fundamentals I found myself puzzled that these 19-21 year olds could in one year be playing against such greats as Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett and LeBron James. For a short minute as I watched, I felt as if I had a shot at that level considering my fundamental skills were there. That feeling lasted for as long as it took for me to see my reflection in the gym door window. My current figure looks more like a linebacker as opposed to a lean and quick shooting guard.

After the workout I spoke with the coach who was putting them through the drills. I told him that I couldn’t believe that those guys couldn’t get through such simple drills. He laughed in agreement and said, “That’s why I have a job.” I guess he was right. My point was that I felt that if this guys job was teaching basic fundamentals then he should be teaching 5th and 6th graders. Not NBA lottery draft picks. The NBA is certainly not at a lack for talent but the closer you look at the teams that don’t make it into or don’t make it far in the post-season, you see that there are many simple things that they don’t do well. I am still amazed that some of these guys can make it that far without having certain fundamentals mastered.

As a college basketball analyst, shooting and skills coach and camp director I feel like I have seen the game deteriorate in many ways and  thrive in others. I can not imagine how good the NBA could be if the first three years of rookie’s career wasn’t wasted on developing the basic fundamentals.

My point…player development should be done in Elementary, Middle, High School and College. Until then, we’ll continue to see some sloppy yet sometimes amazing play in professional basketball. I guess this leads me to my next discussion: Coaches vs Teachers and the lack of good teachers of the game amongst the coaching ranks.

2010 Camp Dates

June 28th to July 2nd.  More information will be published soon, but our plan is to run three camps that week, each running for 2-3 hours per day.  Grades 4-6 and 7-8 will meet in the mornings (at different locations), while grades 9-12 will work in the afternoon.  Stay tuned.  As we polish off the details, we will post them here.

Overdue Update

I believe we have now won three out of our last four games.  So Enel Brindisi is now in fifth place with a 9-5 record.  We play this coming Sunday at home against Pavia.  It is our final game in the first half of the season.  I am hopeful our winning ways can continue.  We shall see how it goes.

I personally played well during the three games we won and poorly in the one we lost.  As of late, however, I feel like I have finally found my rhythm, where I need to be as a player for the team to be at our best.  Let’s hope I can apply what I know!