Changes can improve, worsen, or lack an impact on our process. Change for change's sake seldom works.
Radical transparency. Do we need more or less transparency? That depends on the baseline situation.
Embrace positivity. Positivity doesn't preclude coaching or correction. But negative approaches rarely lead to positive lives.
Simplicity. What can we simplify or eliminate to improve? Is everything that we teach, drill, and practice impacting results? How many BOBs, SLOBs, sets, ATOs, and defenses are enough? Too much can create confusion for our team.
Respect. Coaches coach, players play, officials officiate. Make it clear that disrespecting the officials is unacceptable. The coach will interface with the officials. Don't tolerate poor body language toward officials.
"Trust but verify." Get feedback on anything that we feel is important. For example, what three ways (more or less) do we defend the pick-and-roll? For example, when would we use drop coverage? Kobe Bryant asked Gary Payton for advice of defending ballhandlers on picks. Payton advised him to get up on the dribbler and imagine getting 'thin' like a playing card.
Perspective. Emphasize what a player can do, not what she can’t do. Players can respond better to assignments matching their skills.
Editing. Use analytics to do more of what works and less of what doesn’t. Do players understand how to create and limit advantage on offense and defense?
"The 95." Billy Donovan taught players that the 95 percent of the time without the ball often defines who you become. Ask players for specifics. What does this mean to you?
With and without. Work on reacting on the catch, not mostly what comes off the dribble or with a ball screen. The quick shot or the 'stampede' attack on the catch help you draw first blood.
Complacency. "The wind blows hardest at the top of the mountain. It's hard getting to the summit and harder staying there.
Lagniappe. Our 'R' > Your 2T. Can we rebound well enough to limit opposition transition?
"We want to get twice as many 2nd chance points as you get fast break points
— SkinsHoops86 (@SkinsHoops86) May 30, 2025
People ask, how do you send as many bodies as you do to the offensive glass, don’t you worry about transition defense?
The best transition "D" we have is the fear we put into you about our rebounding https://t.co/AfK7ZdCzyv
Lagniappe 2. What do we have to be good at?
These graphs PERFECTLY represent the offensive philosophy of the Pacers and the Knicks. 👇🏼
— Chris Steed (@steeder10) May 28, 2025
Your offense is defined by your TRANSITION philosophy, not by your HALF COURT strategy.
When mapping your offensive structure for your team, break it down into this FLOW:
Primary >… pic.twitter.com/He6207A4C3
