1) Maximize our talent (athleticism, conditioning, IQ, skill).
2) Maximize our preparation (practice).
3) Minimize our mistakes (turnovers, defensive errors, defensive rebounding error).
4) Maximize our possessions (force turnovers, increase offensive rebounds).
5) Maximize our points/possession (easy shots, make FTs, analytics -what works for us?)
Restate the math: the Pete Newell "get more and better shots than our opponent" says consistently have higher offensive and defensive efficiency (net points per possession).
Talent. Hubie Brown says part of maximizing our talent is attacking the basket to get some of their best players in foul trouble and off the floor. Our better players may outperform their reserves.
Practice. Use drills that combine conditioning, offense, defense, and decision-making. Actions like 4-on-4 halfcourt without dribbling and 3-on-3 inside the split with limited dribbling (2 dribbles per touch) fill the bill.
Transition 3 on 3 with chaser. Coach enters the ball to middle or wing and that player's defender takes 3 steps in and chases. Run wide.
Continuous 3-on-3 with offense going to defense.
Mistakes. Reducing turnovers increases scoring chances. Improving defensive rebounding decreases opponent "easy shots" via putbacks and free throws. The numbers I recall are 50 percent chance of scoring on a first offensive rebound and 80 percent chance on a second offensive rebound.
More possessions. I use the expression "possessions and possession" to mean get more possessions and be more productive during possession. The best teams win the most possessions. In addition to steals and blocks that generate offense, and offensive rebounds, charges change possession and foster foul trouble.
Offensive efficiency. "Fall in love with easy." We're not proficient at three-point shots yet. We need to score more layups and free throws, and actions that work for us (pass and cut scoring, pick-and-roll, selected isolation).
Golden State at their peak thrived with high points/possession via cutting and transition scoring. We know statistically that ball reversal and paint touches help break down defenses.
Lagniappe: Stuff you can use today. Villanova Get 50 warmups.
Lagniappe 2: A pair of competitive shooting drills
Lagniappe 3: Butler did it.
T-shirt circa 1990 | @ButlerMBB pic.twitter.com/y2KTCHMgRC— Ralph Reiff (@RVReiff) November 5, 2019
