Monday, December 25, 2023

Basketball: Humility, Philosophy, and Highlights

The basketball domain rewards age-old virtues. Their pursuit guarantees nothing. 

Benjamin Franklin's 13th is Humility. Click through for the lesson.

Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

"The typical image of a manly man is one who is supremely confident, bordering or arrogance. Humility doesn’t seem to fit in that manly image. However, some of the greatest men in history have been the most humble. Humility isn’t weak, submissive, or self-abasing. Humility means having the quiet confidence to allow your actions to speak for themselves. After discussing a lesson on how not to be humble from Greek legend Achilles, we discuss five things you can do to be a little more humble."

Have a well-constructed philosophy. List possibilities then select a few that work for you. 

"Basketball is a game of advantage. Create advantages in skill, athleticism, size, and temperament."

"Basketball is a game meant to be played fast." - John Wooden

"Get more and better shots than your opponent.' - Pete Newell

"Be physically and mentally tougher than opponents."

"Basketball is a game of creating and taking away space." 

"Technique beats tactics." - Gregg Popovich

"Basketball is sharing." - Phil Jackson

"Spacing is offense and offense is spacing." - Chuck Daly

"Movement kills defenses."

"Allow one bad shot." 

Lagniappe. Defense starts with ball containment. Reposted. 

Lagniappe 2. Dave Love on shooting principles. 

Lagniappe 3. Coaches are problem solvers. Study the mechanics of problem solving. 


Handful of highlights from the Celtics - Lakers. 

1. Zoom action - downscreen, DHO, into attack 


2. Horns-like action. Backscreen moves corner defender (tagging the cutter) opening the corner three. Arguments occur over help. 
 

3. Stampede? Attacking on the move off the catch? Prince of a move. 


4. Draw 2 and pass...an NBA staple. 


5. Don't neglect 'simple' plays. Rejecting the ball screen.