Others don't see us as we see ourselves. They lack our Magic Mirror. Find "nuggets of truth."
1. Know your role. Embrace your role. If you want a different or bigger role, do more and become more. Offensively the major roles are scorer, facilitator, screener, offensive rebounder. The more you excel, the more you force your way onto the court. Make the coach believe in you and your brand (manage your brand). Be that guy or gal.
2. "The screener is the second cutter." Screening is not 'garbage' work, it creates opportunity for others AND yourself. Don't screen and stand...roll, pop, slip.
3. If not scoring or not a scorer, how are you contributing? Always energize (see Tina Turner). Sulking because shots aren't going in or because the clock in your head (my turn shots) is ringing doesn't hunt. Turn the volume down or off. Coaches are like Santa Claus, we know when you've been naughty or nice.
4. "The quickest path to improvement is better shot selection." Everyone should know and agree on what are good shots. From the Bilas Toughness list, "it's not your shot, it's our shot." Doc Rivers calls bad or forced shots, "shot turnovers." My coach had another name for them. He wasn't wrong.
5. What is the PRINCIPLE behind the action? Why are we doing this? Think about spread.
1 can pass and a) cut through, b) basket cut, c) screen, or d) replace herself. 1 can also " "dribble at" a player, who must read the situation and choose. Force defenders to react and make defensive mistakes.
6. Read the defense. If they are playing tight, screening and backcuts can thrive. If they're sagging, maybe downscreens are favored.
7. What's your plan to wear down opponents? Will you run until their tongues look like neckties? Will you exploit physicality? Do you succeed through knowledge or will?
8. Are you using mental models? What is your backup plan or redundancy? "You don't bring a knife to a gunfight. You bring a tank and four friends (Army Rangers.)" Kevin Eastman reminds us to "do it harder, do it better, change personnel" or "#$%& it ain't working" and change the plan.
9. NO EASY BASKETS or ONE BAD SHOT. Either works...ask players what has to be done to surrender NO EASY BASKETS. They need to know to execute.
10. Outwork the other guy. We may not be bigger, quicker, or smarter than our opponent. But we can work harder and be more prepared.
Lagniappe: the offensive Not-so-secrets of Hubie Brown
Highlights:
Dribble with intent: advance, attack, angles, escape.
"Take advantage of turnovers and second shots." Punish mistakes and lack of effort.
Wait for the screen. We teach saying, "wait, wait, wait." Setup your movement.