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Thursday, March 9, 2023

Basketball Post 3399: Ideas to Help You Win Today

Playoffs are well along. Find an edge to win today. Is there anything available to make a difference, here and now? 

There's no Insta-Pot player development, no changing the shooting fork versus index finger, hop versus 1-2 that happen immediately. We never know when one action can change a game. 

1. Timeout usage. I've seen teams exhaust their timeouts avoiding held balls IN THE FIRST HALF. Sometimes we HAVE to use timeouts to stop runs, substitute, or fix specific issues. Ideally, I want the Dean Smith three timeouts for the final four minutes. That allows for rest, strategy or potentially late ball advancement to set up a half-court versus full-court action. Because we practiced "special situations" each practice, I felt that gave us an edge.  

Timeouts don't grow on trees and I've never suggested a player "fake an injury" or 'accidentally' kick the ball to the corner. 

2. "Win this possession." The first and last count the same on the scoreboard. Rewrite Pete Newell's mandate as "get more and better possessions than our opponents." Here's the Kenpom possession formula via Dean Oliver. Great movies have great scenes; great games have great possessions. 

3. The Pledge. It's only good once. Have a clipboard statement for every player to sign:

"I promise to do everything possible today for the benefit of the team. I'll play my best defense, take quality shots, share the ball, and be the best teammate I can." 

4. Simplify basketball symmetry.

We take care of the ball. We force mistakes on defense.

We take quality shots. We allow "one bad shot." 

We attack pressure with movement. We pressure the ball. 

5. Rely on "possession enders." Possession enders are winners, 'guys' that get stops and scores. Get more chances for your best players. 

"Possession enders" finish offensive plays with assists and scores.  They finish defensive possession forcing turnovers, rebounding, and contesting shots without fouling.  

6. Get clarity '1'. Be great at a few things (examples)  

  • Play great half-court defense. 
  • Excel at the pick-and-roll. 
  • Control the defensive boards. 

7. Get clarity '2'. Keys to victory, dos and don'ts (examples). "Attack weaknesses; utilize strengths."
  • Leverage our size advantage in the paint.
  • Take care of the basketball. 
  • Keep opponent off the free throw line with disciplined defense.
  • "Shut down transition."  
8. Talk on defense. PTRW (play the right way).
  • ELO. Early, loud, often. 
  • "Silent teams lose." 
  • "Talk intimidates." 
9. Identity. "This is who we are." Remind the team about identity. If you're the Miami Heat, you're the toughest, nastiest team in the league. Play to our identity. Without an identity, you're not in the playoffs. 

10.Be intentional. 
  • "This is where our points arise, our best offensive actions."
  • "Stop theirs - transition, take 3s, live ball turnovers. 
Lagniappe. Teach your history. 


Lagniappe 2. 

Original Celtic drill is individual drill where player needs to make 2 in a row at 10 spots in under 2 min.
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