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.