Key to earning players' respect: Help them get better

Saw an article in the Fort Lauderdale paper the other day about new MIA coach Erik Spoelstra, who never played in the NBA.  Of the eight teams left in the NBA playoffs, four have coaches who played in the league at one time (Phil Jackson, Byron Scott, Jerry Sloan, and Doc Rivers).   In fact, Pat Riley, the Heat's last coach, was a nine-year NBA vet.

The article, which discusses the importance of NBA head coaches having experience as professional players, has a couple of interesting quotes from coaches, both current and former.

Chuck Daly:  "Most players want to win.  If they really believe you're a guy who can help them, they will accept you."

Lawrence Frank:  "If you can help guys get better, it doesn't matter if you ever played at the NBA level."

According to the article, Spoelstra, who played in college and overseas, has the four principles that Riley describes as essential to succeed as a coach:  Work ethic, reliability, trustworthiness, and sincerity.

Says Jeff Van Gundy:  "If you have those four things, it doesn't matter if you played in the league or if you didn't, if you're short or tall."

Van Gundy's brother, Stan, who has guided the Magic to the Semis, adds:  "If you are good and competent at what you do, [players] will give you that respect."

How the Spurs can beat the Hornets...

As the Mavericks did in the first round, the Spurs have struggled against CP3 and the Hornets.  So how can SA get back in it?  

My strategy would be to run and run and run some more.  Make it a fast-paced game.  Think uptempo times 10.  This will keep N.O. out of their half-court game.

Should be smooth transition in Dallas

Expect a relatively smooth transition from Avery Johnson to Rick Carlisle in DAL.  Both Avery and Rick are respected by players, which should make the hand-off easier for the Mavs.  Both guys are former NBA players who knew how to maximize their talent on the floor. Both won NBA titles as players.   Avery a likely a little more emotional than Rick, but both are smart coaches who know what they're doing.

[Rick is second from left in this photo from 1986, between Danny Ainge and Larry Bird.  Bill Walton is at the far right.]

 

Rick's staff in Dallas -- featuring two former NBA head coaches in Terry Stotts and Dwayne Casey -- demonstrates the confidence he has in himself while surrounding him with guys who know the game and know what's required of an NBA head coach.

As a side note, Rick played for my Dad in the CBA with the Albany Patroons back in the late 1980s.  Even then, I remember my Dad saying how smart Rick was as a player, how hard he competed, and how he'd make a great coach some day.  

Rick is also head of the NBA Coaches Association and he's done a terrific job in that role.   I also think Rick is insightful as a color analyst on TV.  The guys succeeds at whatever he pursues.  

Good hire by Donnie and Cuban in my mind.

Upgrading your team: Musts and Needs

Long-time NFL personnel expert Mike Lombardi has another insightful article on SI.com.  According to Mike, teams typically fail to improve over the previous season for one of three reasons:  (1) Coaching; (2) offensive/defensive schemes; and (3) talent.

The key for the front office is figuring out where the problem lies.

In his article, Lombardi discusses how legendary coach Bill Walsh (pictured at left) always had two lists:  A "Must List" of areas where his teams MUST improve, and a "Need List" of spots that could use an upgrade, but aren't as critical.

Lombardi also writes that it's not enough to simply identify quality players.  How does a player match up against the teams/key opponents in his division?   Winning divisional games is critical for a team's overall success.  It's an interesting point that's often overlooked in the NBA, where some players are better equipped to play in one conference over the other.

In the end, says Lombardi, it comes down to finding "diamonds in the rough" -- mid-priced guys (and role players) in free agency and the draft who can make "vital contributions."

Keys to beating the Lakers...

For what it's worth, here are a couple of thoughts -- grounded in experience -- on how to beat the Lakers and Kobe:

1.  In the past, they struggled in pick and roll situations.  Now, they have the ability to switch pick and rolls because of their lateral mobility of interchangeable parts.  Still, Pau is the player you want to to involve in middle pick and rolls.

2.  Defensively against LA's Triangle offense, you've got to meet the entry pass as early as possible.  It's critical that you don't get beat on the elbow.  Guard around the play -- go under the cut, not over it.

3.  On Triangle post-ups with a post and two offensive players on the ball side, pressure the ball/passer while the other defender sits in the lap of the post-up player (typically Pau or Kobe).  

4.  The "Kobe Bryant Rules":   The four players who aren't guarding Kobe head-up need to be aware of where his is at all times.  Whenever and wherever he catches the ball, shrink the floor on the catch.  Get to the two elbow areas and the blocks so that Kobe see a wall on his catch.

Of course, Bryant can drive both ways, but you've got to force him one way so that your guys can over-sag the help to that area.  For example, in SAC and GS, we'd force him left on both sides of the floor.

Kobe will kill you at the line.  Keep his FT attempts down by guarding aggressively without fouling.  Easier said than done...

When you have the ball, make Kobe work.  Wear him down.  Bring him off screens and make him chase you to deplete his energy as the game wears on.

Finally, on the Lakers "52" play -- their bread-and-butter in late-game situations when they need a sure basket -- Bryant is the ball-handler on the pick and rolls.  Trap him early and stay with the trap until he's the passer.

What Doc Rivers was most impressed with about LeBron

BOS coach Doc Rivers coached LeBron James in this year's NBA All-Star game. According to an Associated Press story today, what impressed Doc most wasn't LeBron's rebounding, passing, or shooting. So what was it?

"His focus in the timeouts. It actually caught me off guard. His eyes were like beaming at me. You don't see that often. Especially not at the All-Star game."

Another example of what separates great players from elite ones.

The Draft: The importance of intangibles

Sports Illustrated had a couple of insightful articles recently about the NFL draft process.  Peter King's story had a quote from former Packers' GM Ron Wolf about evaluating college kids that really stood out:

"The fascinating thing about pro football is, no matter how long you're in it, you can't predict how guys are going to handle the pressure, the limelight, the money."

Like so much of life, it's the intangibles that matter most.  

Another SI article reveals that some teams go back to a player's middle school days -- seventh and eighth grade -- to look for patterns of behavior.  

The article quotes sociologist Harry Edwards:

"When you draft a kid, you don't just draft that kid. You draft his whole family. When a young player arrives in the pros, he doesn't leave the culture that he grew up with at the locker room door."

NY Times on the new breed of basketball statisticians

Great article in Sunday's New York Times magazine about Mike Zarren, the statistical analyst for the Celtics.  The story explains why Danny Ainge hired the 32-year-old Zarren:

Ainge hired Zarren simply because he wants any advantage worth having, and Zarren’s insights are “more information on every decision we make,” Ainge says. “Mike is a much smarter guy than I am. I’m open to smarter people than me. It still comes down to my instincts. I have to make the choice, no matter what my scouts say, no matter what the models say. I don’t think it’s realistic to think that a statistical model will ever be foolproof in basketball because there are so many variables, but I do think it can help us.”

The story goes on to outline how Zarren contributes: 

There are two channels through which Zarren can help the Celtics. The first is by assessing potential deals and draft picks, which means bouncing information off of Ainge. The second channel is strategic advice, which means going to Coach Doc Rivers, whom Ainge says is “skeptically receptive” to Zarren’s insights. You sense that Zarren has gained credibility within the Celtics not because the basketball people adore his regression analyses but because he adores the sport. “Most geeks are not basketball guys,” Zarren says, “and most basketball guys are not geeks. You have to be both to be successful in this developing field.”

Westphal demonstrates loyalty

It's always interesting to see what a team's assistant coaches say/do following the firing of their head coach.  Last week, I caught a quote by Paul Westphal, a Mavs' assistant, after Avery was fired in DAL.  When asked whether he was interested in the job, Westphal replied candidly:

"I am not a candidate.  I came here to help Avery."

Here's Westphal, a guy who, as an NBA head coach, won 267 games.  He can coach in this league.  So why the flat out refusal to discuss the head job?  Why not toss his name in the hat?

Because Westphal understands that the most important quality of an assistant is loyalty.  Specifically, loyalty to the head coach.  Paul demonstrated his loyalty by quickly professing his loyalty to Avery.  

Meeting of the minds results in better coaches

In an earlier post, I wrote about how Coach Cal at Memphis got the idea to remake his team's offense from a JUCO coach.  It's a good example of basketball coaches learning from each other, regardless of what level they're at -- high school, junior college, NAIA, major college, minor league, Euro league, NBA.

But it actually goes beyond basketball coaches talking with their peers in basketball about basketball.  The best coaches go outside their sport to learn from what successful coaches in other sports are doing.  The Xs and Os might be different, but the principles are the same.

For years, coaches like Bobby Knight, Bill Parcells, Tony La Russa, Tom Izzo, and Steve Mariucci have traded ideas, taking effective tactics and strategies from coaches in oth

er sports and applying them to their teams.

I've read where UF hoops coach Billy Donovan and Gators' football coach Urban Meyer talk frequently.  Ditto for Tennessee coaches Bruce Pearl and Pat Summit.

When I was with the Atlanta Hawks, team president Stan Kasten (pictured right) would bring the GMs and coaches from the Hawks, Thrashers, and Braves together in a summit where we would exchange ideas on draft strategies, player development, and coaching philosophies.

And you never get to old to learn from others.  What's the old saying?  "Life is like riding a bicycle.   To keep your balance, you've gotta keep moving."

What Derrick Rose will bring to his new team

Most draft experts expect Derrick Rose to go No. 1 or No. 2 in the NBA draft next month. Why?

It's because point guards like Rose control a game's tempo. They typically become the identity of their team -- think Chris Paul in New Orleans, Deron Williams in Utah, Tony Parker in SA, and Steve Nash in PHX.

His combination of size, speed, and strength will make it tough for many NBA point guards to defend. As for his shooting, it will improve quickly over the next 12-24 months.

To top it off, Rose has been playing under a former NBA coach in an NBA tempo under coach John Calipari in Memphis.

Best defensive coaches working in the TV booth

Teams looking to emphasize defense should turn on their TV sets. Jeff Van Gundy is a defensive guru. Close behind is the Czar, Mike Fratello, who I worked for in Memphis. I can attest that Mike's a great defensive mind.

Of the current NBA coaches, Pop in San Antonio is likely the league's best defensive coach. His teams play solid "D" every year, his schemes are effective, and his guys know their roles. Plus, the Spurs turn it up a notch on the defensive end once they reach the postseason.

Postseason plans for Mavs, Suns

Thinking about what DAL and PHX need to do this offseason.  The Kidd trade was done to help the Mavs make a run at a title.  With D. Harris gone now, they'll need to find some youth at the PG spot.  They also need a back-up for Damp, something they've missed since Diop was traded.

As for the Suns, they need inside help and a true backup point guard to give Nash a rest.  The guy's logged 35 MPG for eight seasons.  That will take a toll at some point.

Chris Paul: Byron lets us play

Telling quote in today's Dallas Morning News from PG Chris Paul on Bryon Scott's coaching style:

"He lets us play.   He's on us in practice, but when I look over to the bench for a play, he waves his hand."

Mike Sherman expects players to respect time of their teammates

Tim Griffin has a story on ESPN.com today about the rules new Texas A&M football coach Mike Sherman is putting in place in Aggieland.  According to the article:

There is no room for tardiness anywhere around the Texas A&M football program anymore.

New A&M coach Mike Sherman has made his concept of team unity and time his primary early lesson. To help facilitate his group's understanding of those dynamics, Sherman has installed 25 digital clocks around the team's sprawling football complex in a coordinated effort to emphasize punctuality.

"If you have 110 players in a meeting and one player is late, for one minute, that's 110 minutes you've wasted," Sherman said. "I hit them over the head a lot with time, how your clock is constantly ticking as a football player and as a student.

"The players have to be accountable. And to me, being on time is a matter of respect -- respecting your teammates and your coaches. You don't walk in late." 

Says one player:  "Coach is making it like it's in the pros. It's not like college is a kiddy store around here anymore." 

John Calipari: Why play on the perimeter?

Came across a 2007 story from ESPN on John Calipari's new style at Memphis.  Coach Cal describes it as:

- Wide open
- Attacking the rim on every chance
- Princeton on steriods style of play

Cal got the basic philosophy from a JUCO coach.  He made a few tweaks, put his stamp on it, and rolled it out.  Says Cal:  "The way the game is going, it's changing.  Why play on the perimeter?  [Players] feel unleashed."

Why Kevin Garnett is a great leader

A note in Bruce Jenkins' San Francisco Chronicle column today tells me all I need to know about Kevin Garnett's character:

All season, Garnett has insisted that Paul Pierce be the last Celtic to take the floor during pregame introductions. And when he's asked to participate in a postgame news conference, Garnett invariably brings a teammate with him.

Monta Ellis set to break out in 08-09

Prediction:   Monta Ellis will be an NBA All-Star next season.  Because he scores so well, the Warriors will go to him even more than this year when he put up 20 ppg (includig 12 games of 30 or more).  He's one of the best in the league in scoring in transition.  

After a good off-season strength program, his body will be ready, too.

NBA top 5: Power forwards

1. Kevin Garnett: A winner with a great attitude. When KG is in the game, it's like having a sixth defender on the floor because of his length and defensive IQ.

2. Dwight Howard: Has the perfect body to play the 4- or 5-spot in the NBA. Hard to believe he's so young. Gets better every night and his offensive game is improving quickly. Rebounding skills are incredible.

3. Dirk Nowitzki: No one's tougher to defend than Dirk, who has the ability to shoot over smaller defenders and drive by bigger ones.

4. Amare Stoudemire: Explosive offensive player who believes he can score on anyone at any time. If he can upgrade his defense, he'll be an elite player.

5. Carlos Boozer (pictured): A nice face-up 15-17-foot jumper and an inside game make Boozer a terror on the offensive end. Great left-hand finisher.

OKC and the NBA

A few years ago, when playing a game in Oklahoma City, I remember sitting on the bench, watching the crowd, and thinking how much the fans there genuinely loved NBA basketball. Off the top of my head I could think of three or four cities that didn't appreciate their NBA franchises as much as OKC would.

In my experience, the fans there are knowledgeable and passionate. Moreover, they're friendly. More than one player told me how the people there treated them almost like a the way a college campus treats its team when it's the only show in town.

What Bill Belichick learned from Jerry West

Former NFL player personnel guru Michael Lombardi has an interesting article on SI.com today about a 1993 meeting Bill Belichick had with then-Lakers GM Jerry West about the issues related to working in a cap system.

According to Lombardi, the lesson Belichick learned the most from was this:  Never stop trying to learn.

Fascinating article about a genuinely fascinating guy in Bill Belichick.

The success of the team depends on the plodders as much as the superstars

Great quote by Frank Leahy, who led Notre Dame to four national championships in the 1940s:

“Superstars don't know how or why they do things right so easily. They are spoiled by how easy it is and impatient with those to whom it does not come easy, so they seldom make great coaches.

The men who become coaches understand that most players must sweat and sacrifice for success and that the success of the team depends on the plodders as much as on the rare superstar.”

NBA top 5: Point Guards

As a coach, I really appreciate a smart point guard who can run an offense, distribute the ball, and make his teammates better.  Here are the five best PGs in the league, in my opinion:

1.  Steve Nash:   Great pick-and-roll player who puts a stamp on his team's style and identity.  Perhaps the best push-it-up-the-floor point guard in the NBA, guys love playing with him.

2.  Chris Paul:  Continues his rapid improvement.  Terrific at getting in the lane to both score and distribute.  But it's more than the lane.  Paul gets to anyplace on the floor that he want.  Once he gets his 3-point shot to fall consistently, he'll have it all.

3.  Deron Williams:  I love his size/strength for a point guard.  For such a young guy, he's done a great job of playing and performing in Coach   Sloan's system, which can be tough for young players, especially the on-floor quarterback.  Competes every night.

4.  Gilbert Arenas (pictured):  Creates to get the shot he wants whenever he wants.  Has great range and can shoot well beyond the arc.  Another tough competitor.

5.  Tony Parker:  Incredibly quick and strong.  Smart player who can get to the hoop.  Gets his teammates involved.  Wins and wins and wins.

Bonus.  Baron Davis:  Terrific scorer with great strength.  Intimidates opponents.  After struggling with injuries the last five seasons, BD played all 82 games this year in Golden State (logging nearly 40 minutes a night), a first for him since 2001-02.

NBA top 5: Off Guards

I have a soft spot for point guards, but how could anyone deny the excitement these guys bring to the game?

1.  Kobe Bryant:  Remarkable scorer who can draw a foul whenever he wants.  Get the ball in his hands when it matters and you're likely to win.

2.  Tracy McGrady:   One of those rare players who can play four positions thanks to his great size and athleticism. 

3.  Dwyane Wade:  How good is Wade?  Just look what happened to MIA when he went down.  Another terrific above-the-rim guy who will come back with a big year in 2008-09.

4.  Brandon Roy (pictured):   Multi-dimensional player who doesn't get enough props.  

5.  Ray Allen:   12-year vet is a dead-eye shooter who turns the game into a 4-on-4 because defenders can NEVER leave him.

Bucks are a tough team to figure out

New Milwaukee GM John Hammond has made a quick coaching change. Now, he's gotta get a handle on his team, which is a hard one to figure.

They've got a lot of scorers, but the pieces haven't come together for them. A lot of people felt that the Bucks' talented backcourt -- with Redd, Williams, and Bell off the bench -- could get them to into the postseason.

Didn't happen, though, and Larry's out after the Bucks lost their last eight games of the season.

"When you're in the midst of it, it's not a whole lot of fun, and I know coming out the other end of this that I'm going to be stronger for it," Krystkowiak said. "But right now I'd be lying if I said it was enjoyable."

The state of the Bulls

Jim Boylan's firing in Chicago gets me wondering about what Pax will do in the offseason. The expectations have been high for the Bulls the last couple of seasons, but the club hasn't improved quickly enough and the guys don't seem to be jelling like they did with the Hornets, who also have a good, young nucleus.

It's possible that public comments from some of the young players over the last two years could have had an impact on chemistry.

As for the new coach, I'd look for Pax to go after an established guy. Skiles certainly got the most out of the Bulls roster the last few years, so there will be pressure to match Scott's performance.

What the new coach has going for him is a good core of young players. The question is whether Ty Thomas can become a consistent and reliable performer every night. Hinrich is another question: Can he get better or has he peaked?

I'll also be interested to see how the mid-season trade of L. Hughes and Gooden fit in with a full training camp.

Elsewhere, Ben Gordon's a great off-the-bench scorer, but his size can give opposing teams a matchup advantage there. Small forward Deng is underrated, in my opinion, because he's tough to defend.

Energy guys are hard to find and can play a valuable role. Noah and Nocioni (left) both play hard and get their team extra possessions by hustling for loose balls, etc.

The Art of the Timeout

Great article in today's Wall Street Journal about "The Art of the Timeout." In my experience, timeout strategy varies depending on the team, players on the floor, opponent/opposing coach, game, and situation.

With the Warriors, our players that first year loved any new wrinkles we could create for shots and quick-hitters for guys like Gil Arenas and Jamison. The next year, our vets were good at executing after time outs. Plus, with Avery Johnson on the roster that year, we had an extra coach in the huddle.

Be sure to watch the video that accompanies the story.

NBA Playoffs: Lakers v Nuggets

One of the keys to this series will be how the Lakers defend Iverson, who scored 51 on LA in December.  This time, DEN will have to hold him to half of that -- 25 or less per game.  That won't be easy as Iverson scored nearly 100 pts in three games against LA this season.   

Of course, it's not just Iverson who can score.  DEN has not one, but two of the league's top 5 scorers.  Melo is also good for 25/game.  But there's no consistent third scorer.  Kenyon Martin has 22 one night; and just 4 two games later.  JR Smith can score, too.  Not afraid to launch the 3, he had 24 points a week ago vs GS, with half of those coming on 3-pointers.   In two February games, he put up 14 3-pointers, going 16-28 from behind the arc.  That will get a coach's attention.

  

Keep an eye on Pau Gasol's confidence.  Pau is 0-12 in the postseason.  He could get down on himself if things go south.  LA can't afford that.  On the other hand, if the Lakers can get rolling and Pau gets his confidence up, LA will be tough to stop.

Is New Orleans for real?

In a word: Yes. B. Scott has done a terrific job. I honestly think they would have made the playoffs last season if they would have been healthy. N.O.'s young nucleus has really come along quickly and -- with the postseason experience they're getting now -- they'll only get better. That's gotta concern other teams in the West.

The keys: C. Paul, who controls the tempo as well as anyone in the league, and West, who is still underrated even as an All Star. West plays hard and can really face-up shoot.

Should be a fun team to watch over the next few seasons.

NBA playoffs: HOU v UTH

This one could go seven games.  Rafer's injury comes at a terrible time for HOU.  In Williams, the Jazz have a one of the league's most physical point guards and the Rockets will need depth at the point. 

With Alston's injury, HOU will need Bobby Jackson to play the 1 spot.  But Jackson is more of a combo guard who is at his best when he's looking to score.  Unfortunately, HOU needs him to distribute the ball.

McCrady has the pressure of trying to not only get out of a first round playoff series, but simply get a win.  He's 0-6 so far.

Utah can really score the ball and they have a true advantage playing at home.  I look for Utah to steal one in Houston and win the series in seven.