NBA Finals

We have already spoken about much of this over the phone, but I figured it couldn’t hurt to put some things into writing.

Here are a few thoughts from my end.

1)  One of the ESPN commentators said it well:  Two years ago Paul Pierce more or less outplayed Kobe Bryant.  And Kevin Garnett outplayed Pau Gasol.  Those tables have turned and that makes all the difference.  I think that is a great explanation for why the Lakers look so good so far.  We shall see if they keep it up.

2)  The Lakers team we saw two years ago has played a few hundred more games together.  Big, big difference.

3)  As much as I have been down on Ron Artest, you have to give him props defensively.  He spaces out sometimes it seems, but on the whole, he really is a great physical presence.  There has to be a connection between his defensive play and Paul Pierce’s struggles offensively.

4)  A part of me is excited for the NBA Finals to be over, so I don’t have to endure so many stupid commercials.  Ok.  So no one is forcing me to view them, but man, the commercials these days are beyond pushing it.  Most cross the line in my opinion.

If you see this, give me your thoughts.  Maybe I will be write some more later.

Joe

White Guy Bias?

Jon,

You can check out my full six-part series here.  If you have anything to add, I am sure you won’t be shy about sharing it!

Joe

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

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

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.

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.

Tempo: The Pace of the Game

As a college basketball analyst most of the games I watch are at the collegiate level. Obviously like any basketball fan, I don’t miss many Kobe-Lebron or Lakers-Celtics match ups. So needless to say, I watch my share of NBA too. It is only recently that I have begun to watch a good amount of High School hoops. With no vested interest, that is, a client, friend or family member playing in the game I find myself watching from a coaching perspective. I watch the game and think about what I would do to improve upon the play of both teams. I also think about what separates high school to college and college to the pros. Five minutes into the high school game I realize it is tempo.

In talking to a number of former collegiate and former professional athletes from many sports I can’t think of one that hasn’t mentioned at some point, “If I only knew then what I know now.” Now all you young aspiring athletes out there, listen up… One of those things that we wish we knew then that we know now is tempo. Tempo is the speed and pace of the game and it is something that must be addressed. By understanding tempo you will drastically improve the effectiveness and the efficiency of not only your play but your energy too. You will use less energy and will be twice as effective.

Ironically enough the tempo of the game slows down as the level of play improves. At the professional level you might think that the players aren’t playing with enough energy or it may look as though they are playing half speed. It is not that they are playing half speed or full speed, they are playing at many speeds. The game is not to be played at one speed. As you mature and progress as an athlete in whatever sport you play you will realize that to gain the advantage against your opponent you need to learn how to make efficient and purposeful movements, changing speeds and changing directions.

Watching the high school game it was hard to even recognize what type of offense either team was running. What should have been a pas and screen away looked more like a pass and run away. And a “V” cut to get open looked like a frantic sprint with no change of speed or direction. If I could call a timeout from the stands and address both teams, I would tell them to SLOW DOWN! Instead of running around I would advise them to make precise, explosive cuts and to move with a purpose on the court.

It is great that young players watch professional and collegiate level basketball but it seems like all they see are the spectacular moves and monstrous dunks. I implore all those who want to take their game to a higher level, don’t watch for the dunks and ankle breaking crossovers. Watch how Kobe Bryant walks his man down to the block before he makes an explosive cut to the ball for a scoring opportunity. Watch how Richard “Rip” Hamilton lulls his defender to sleep before making an aggressive “V” cut to get open.

As we close up the high school and collegiate seasons we begin to look at what we can do to improve for next season. I believe that tempo and learning how to slow the game down should be on the top of everyone’s list. Learning how to control pace and learning how to move with a purpose will have an immediate positive effect on your overall game.

My thoughts and perspective on all things pertaining to hoops.

It is my intention to use this blog as a way to share my thoughts, ideas, opinions and observations about the game of basketball. I have had the privilege of playing basketball at many levels. I am now honored to be able to share my experience, my knowledge and my sometimes unique perspective to all those who share my love for the game.

As a college basketball analyst I am often asked to look past the obvious and share my observations from a player/coaches perspective. With this blog I hope to provide a unique point of view to a variety of issues and ideas pertaining to basketball.

Please check in for my weekly take on what’s happening in the world of hoops. Feel free to leave feedback to add to the discussion. I look forward to your thoughts as well.

Developing Mental Toughness – Part 1

A player or person who is mentally tough is someone who is not easily distracted or distraught, someone who is consistent and persistent, someone who is confident and decisive, someone who, when adversity comes, keeps his or her composure and acts with an inner strength and freedom that others look to and, in fact, might envy.

Mental toughness (MT) then, is a state of mind, an internal quality that some have and others don’t. Or better yet, mental toughness is an internal quality that everyone has to varying degrees of strength and consistency.

I think that last sentence is really the key. For mental toughness is not something that some are born with and others are not. It is not simply the product of being a firstborn or having a certain kind of parent. Sure, those things might have their place, but there is no need to think that when it comes to mental toughness, there are the ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots.’ Instead, it is wise to recognize that MT–a sweet inner intellectual and emotional strength–is something that every athlete can develop for the good of all.

Think about it: Most athletes spend thousands of hours developing their physical skills, while leaving their mental abilities left untapped or at least, unworked. Athletes develop their jump shot or fastball, but neglect the development of an inner toughness, an inner consistency of mental and emotional strength that oftentimes is the difference between success and failure. Coaches themselves spend countless hours developing unique practice schedules, all the while imagining the mental aspect of the game will take care of itself. Or maybe they think it is just not that important.

I have come to believe that this is a big mistake. For in the end, if you can make 9 of 10 in practice, what does it matter if, when you get into the game, you aren’t strong enough mentally to shoot the ball with freedom and confidence? If you are an athlete at any level, you know the difference between “practice players” and “gamers”, between those who perform well in practice and those who perform well in the games. Don’t you know instinctively that that difference is found within?

I will say more, but on this topic of mental toughness, I want to introduce at least three convictions on MT.

First, mental toughness is something that can and must be developed.

Second, mental toughness must be especially cultivated away from practices and/or games.

Third, you can only be as mentally tough as you are free from fear.

I will take them in turn in posts soon to come.

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