Basketball education, fundamentals, opinion, video and more
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Basketball: Six Packs of Books, Quotes, and Concepts
In his MasterClass, Michael Lewis shares that he plays the same music, over and over, while writing his books (Liar's Poker, Moneyball, The Blind Side, The Undoing Project, The Big Short, Coach, and more).
Graphic from MasterClass
Lewis informs us that his playlist is "embarrassing."
We need our playlist of absolutes... Include our "Desert Island six books," six quotes, and six concepts. Is lack of knowledge the problem or lack of adherence?
Basketball symmetry. Take great shots. Defend to allow "one bad shot" or hard twos. Take care of the ball on offense. Pressure the ball on defense. Learn to get fouled. Foul 'for profit'.
Find a way. "Play harder for longer." Raise your basketball IQ. Make better decisions. Cut harder, pass on-time and on-target.
Stop giving away games. Fouling, bad shots, turnovers, poor transition defense are regular features for young players and bad teams.
Seek balance. Maintain work-life balance. Get adequate rest, hydration, and nutrition. Balance doubt and recklessness with confidence.
Be hard to defend. Cut urgently, use simple and complex screens (e.g. Spain, stagger, Iverson, corner rip, screen-the-screener). Develop individual skills to allow aggressive basket attack from multiple sites on the court. Expand your range, shots off the dribble and off shot fakes, and side-step threes.
Be efficient. Condition within drills. "No lines, laps, or lectures." Up the tempo. Watch other coaches in person, online or on video to see their operation. Because we can't recruit from outside our community, learn player development.
Bonus: "Thanks is the cheapest form of compensation." - Robert Townsend, Up the Organization Say 'thank you' often.
Lagniappe. You've seen this a dozen times, for good reason.
