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Sunday, December 10, 2023

Basketball: God Is in the Details

"God is in the details." - Hieronymus Bosch

Turn the phrase. All standards are not created equal. If teachers must teach a breadth of standards, how do they choose?

I watched video of a scrimmage yesterday, looking for areas for improvement, using top priorities (only). These can apply for every team at every level. 

Defense:    

1) Improve foul discipline. The easiest shots (points/possession) are free throws. 

2) Defend off-ball screens better. Lock and trail are great if you can. Consider alternatives (switch, through, under)

Offense: 

1) Work on the pick-and-roll game. Every team benefits from a strong halfcourt offense. If your PnR game isn't working, what's the diagnosis? Is the screen solid, the roll timely? Is the ballhandler coming off tight, making the right read? Is the handler sometimes rejecting the screen to keep the defense honest?

2) "Don't play in the traffic." Great players win in space. Think LeBron or Luka Doncic. It's "draw two and pass" not draw two and get tied up or turned over.

As Brad Stevens told my wife (an Aerospace Engineer) at a Celtics' practice, "It's not rocket science." 

Lagniappe. Lessons from Ray Dalio of Bridgewater (Fund).