Thursday, July 4, 2019

Basketball: Messina Podcast from Chris Oliver

Chris Oliver (CO) has a conversation with Spurs' Assistant Etorre Messina (EM), one of the celebrated coaches in Euroleague history. After five years with Gregg Popovich, he's returning to Europe to coach Milan. Here are excerpts from the podcast:

 "I always try to be a teacher..." (EM)

 "When you remove the emotion, we're much better teachers." (CO)

 Coach Popovich has a great feel for what the team needs...(EM)

 "What did you learn in the NBA?" (CO)
- Addressing the workload
- Become more essential in preparation...using little practice time 
- 40 minutes completely different than 48

 "What did you bring back to Europe?" (CO)
- "Early offense after made FG...is interesting"
- "Every possession has a high value in a 40 minute game" 
- "NBA more teams posting and running splits for shooters"
- "In Europe there is less difference between teams." (than in the NBA) 

 "What did you bring to the NBA?" (CO)
- "Not sure that I brought anything."
- "I probably said some dumb things."

 "Two rules that I would love..." (EM)
- Uniform goaltending (European rules)
- Allow substitution after made free throw. 

 "Attention to spacing (Spurs)"...and becoming more prominent, how?
"Attacking the shift (off the ball) defender with back door cuts"
"The court is becoming smaller...because of the athletes." (Spacing more critical)
"Attention to detail during practice."
"Watching 3-4 good film clips..." (quality not quantity)
"Experience." 

 Spurs Development System (There is a plan.)
- We need breadth of game understanding...not just specialty knowledge (e.g. shooting)
- Shape the player to be efficient and effective within the system
- Attention to how players see themselves...grow as people not just players. 
- Correct the weaknesses that could prevent a player from succeeding. 

 Misconceptions
- The League is demanding ALL the time...not just key games and playoffs
- More dedication required for preparation (body maintenance, film, study)

Key differences relate to roster change vs core roster stability. 

 What do NBA coaches underappreciate about Europe?
- NBA level of preparation is amazing. 
- Quality of NBA assistants is amazing 
- Stereotype of lack of athleticism and toughness in Europe is disappearing
- 35% of NBA players are international

 Where does the skill come from?
- You should visit different places, people, and cultures. 

 Personnel defines your strategy. 
- If you have great rebounders, you emphasize o-boards
- Challenge teams to beat you on the boards to cut down their transition (EM)...(note the 2008 Celtics took a different approach sending fewer players to the boards)

 Pick-and-roll concepts.
- The higher you can pick up the ballhandler, the farther out they are if you go under.
- You might switch the second or late PnR with less time (shot clock) 
- Less small-small PnR in the NBA than in Europe
- He got better as a coach by coaching both in Europe and the NBA

 What defines your system? 
- Everything starts with your roster.
- Non-negotiable is competitiveness and winning one-on-one battles.
- Negotiable (tactics) is icing or forcing to areas depending on personnel

 Accountability.
- Need players who are willing to be coached...led by the star players. 
- On great teams players hold players accountable. 
- You need high character players, regardless of skill. 
- Make it clear how you want players to relate (respect). Seems simple. 
- "Get over yourself." (Core Popovich concept)
- "Character is skill number one." 

 Efficiency.
- Starts with personnel. 
- Attack concepts or plays? Focus on concepts...principles and key players. 
- Don't overload with information. 
- Focus first on OUR team over the opponent. Popovich watches his own team, assistants study the opponents until the playoffs. 
- "Know thyself." - Socrates

 Lagniappe: simple will play via @HalfCourtHoops
Simple triangle action with pass and downscreen. 
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