What are we good at? Life rewards specialization. Once the family doctor did everything from delivering babies to giving allergy shots. That's history.
Basketball demands offensive and defensive prowess, but Jabari Parker is not an exception, "“I just stick to my strengths. Look at everybody in the league. They don’t pay players to play defense. " Ridicule Parker for saying it, but a lot of players were thinking it.
Be really good at two things.
What has to happen for us to get Newell's "more and better shots than our opponents?" What two strategies can we use to succeed on offense?
- Better spacing. If we want to drive, then we need driving lanes.
- Better ball movement to create easier shots...we're not accomplished shooters. "The quality of shots depends on the quality of passing."
- Offense is artillery (perimeter), infantry (power), or cavalry (speed). Sure, you blend, but you need offensive and defensive themes. I doubt we got big over the summer, so we better play faster and smarter. Take advantage of our edges.
- Defense limits transition, contains the ball, and handles screens.
"Sweat the small stuff." Contain the ball. Be uncomfortable by making the ballhandler uncomfortable. Be from Missouri. Show me.
1. The best on-ball defender starts, regardless of offensive ability.
2. Have the will to change the game.
3. Play within arms length of the ball.
4. Pressure the offensive player to make mistakes.
5. "Force to tape." (see Kevin Eastman drill below)
6. No middle.
7. Contest shots without fouling, using the shot-side hand.
8. Trust the help.
9. Mindset: win this possession.
10.Defend without fouling (hand discipline).
Lagniappe: If our primary transition stutters, what's next? That remains to be seen.
Keep our plan simple.