But questions arose about 'Court Sense'.
'Sense' starts in the Foreward... "importance and value of building relationships with the players you coach." Not to diminish knowledge, teaching skills, scouting, strategy, and so forth, how do GMs and ADs hire women and men who simply can't relate to players?
"Each player's own aspirations must fit well within his role on the team and within the goals of the team." We all tell our players that we're more concerned with the scoreboard than the scorebook.
"The first step in accurate self-assessment and improvement is adopting a humble attitude."
"Even the most abundant physical skills can't overcome a shortage of basketball skills and execution..." Giannini discussing the US sixth-place finish at the 2002 World Basketball Championships.
He outlines specific shooting goals:
Similarly, throughout the book he provides "checklists" of requisite basketball proficiency for numerous skills, like finishing or ballhandling.
For example, what does a good perimeter defender do? Giannini would say, contain dribble penetration, pressure the ball, challenge shots, and provide good "help". None of this is discovering fire or inventing the wheel, but for players or coaches needing more structure, he provides it.
"If you do not have an open shot or the opportunity to penetrate, you should pass the ball to an open teammate immediately." How complicated is that, the two-second rule?
What do "outstanding" defenders do?
Another great quote: "The ability and willingness to listen are some of the greatest qualities a player can have."
More than anything else, Court Sense shares just than "Court Sense." We separate the two major challenges in life to "Know that" (knowledge) and "Know how" (practical application). The challenge is to provide the former and help individuals and teams develop the latter.
Coach Giannini separates players into three major categories, BIG and STRONG (e.g. Ben Wallace), BIG and ATHLETIC (e.g. Kevin Garnett), and STRONG and ATHLETIC (e.g. Paul Pierce). I suppose LeBron would be all things to all men. I'm sure that he would note that a Steph Curry is "only" ATHLETIC, but his exceptional burst (quickness) and shooting prowess within a different positional framework separate him and those few like him.
The strength of the book from my standpoint is the organization and the potential for 'idea generation'. Most coaches have a strong fundamental and teaching background and look to supplement their core knowledge and developmental skills with more "juice".