Basketball requires quick decisions. And that means preparedness to change.
But first, "what is your NBA skill?" In baseball, coaches ask "what is your out pitch" or "where is the hole in his swing?" Teams will attack weaknesses until fixed. Every player needs an OUT pitch.
1. NBA success stories begin with a GO TO and COUNTER. Two seconds.
Here's the original.
2. "Draw 2." Excellent players "draw 2" defenders and then find the open player.
Even in youth basketball, drive the gap, pass and corner 3.
3. Cover 1.5 (one and a half).
"The ball scores." Don't say, "my guy didn't score." Be in position to prevent the opponent from scoring, not just yours. Cover yours plus half of another player. 1.5 defense.
4. "Two-second rule." Abbreviate the decision-making. Don Kelbick says,
"Your first threat is shot." I've watched this half a dozen times. "SHOT is A in your basketball alphabet."
5. 0.5 second basketball (via Alabama Coach Nate Oats).
Summary:
1. Your "out pitch" - GO TO and COUNTER
2. Draw 2.
3. Cover 1.5
4. Think shot
5. 0.5 seconds
Lagniappe: Zero Seconds. Chris Oliver preaches fun, freedom, focus.
Lagniappe 2: The 0.5 Offense theme is spreading..."play fast, they move the ball, they shot threes."
Phoenix clocked in at 14 in the 2019-20 season at 112.6 ppg. They are 19th in three point percentage but 3rd in free throws per game. They lead the league in free throw percentage and assists per game. Bottom line...they were 13th in the Western Conference standings.
Unfortunately for them, they were 19th in defensive rating, in the bottom ten of points in the paint, third lowest in blocks, and 25th in defensive EFG%. I'm surprised their interior defense isn't better with Aron Baynes and DeAndre Ayton.