Given the time (five seconds running down), space (defender six feet away, not looking) and difficulty of the pass (open passing lane), hitting Steve Blake was Metta World Peace’s best option. Unfortunately, Blake didn’t hit the shot like Steve Kerr or John Paxson did. The lob to Andrew Bynum or skip to Bryant (who had turned his back to the inbounder) would have required challenging passes.
Zen and the Art of the Playoffs
Playoff reality is fleeting: one moment a team is poised for Linsane success defined by fluid ball movement and excitement, before they have realized what has happened, a broken fire extinguisher case symbolizes the lost promise of another failure defined by selfish play and ball-stopping. One moment a team is first overall, the next last season’s Most Valuable Player is felled by another step in a series of unfortunate injuries. Teams which win – especially those who win consistently over the long-term – are those who remain true to their philosophies and rise above the fray. Acting without Thinking: Some …
Pick & Roll Defense
Despite the trouble that the Grizzlies had with this play, it is not that difficult to defend. The Spurs gave up 47% in the paint and 44% mid-range to the Clippers during the year.
After Timeouts
When they lose, the Toronto Raptors do very poorly after timeouts. They do not score enough and they do not get enough possessions in the paint. On Friday, they scored on 5/13 post-timeout shots and only got into the paint five times. The Raptors lost to the Cavs 80-84.
Tale of Two Transitions
Miami is a top ten team in fast break scoring and Toronto is in the top ten of fast break scoring defense. However, during their game on March 30th 2012, the Raptors had trouble coping with the Heat’s speed and aggression, in addition to their good habits while pushing the ball.
Free Kobe
During a 102-96 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday, Los Angeles Lakers coach Mike Brown was criticized for leaving Kobe Bryant on the bench for about four out of the final six minutes. During this time, Memphis continued their run and sealed the victory (the margin would have been nine points except Andrew Bynum made a three-point shot as time expired). As the Staples Centre crowd chanted for Kobe, Brown left the N.B.A.’s leading scorer on the bench. When Kobe went to the scorer’s table to check in, play did not stop so he waited an additional minute of …
Four Factors at the Final Four
If the four primary basketball statistics prevail (Effective Field Goal %, Turnover %, Offensive Rebounding % and Free Throw Rate), the N.C.A.A. Final will feature Kentucky defeating Kansas. By the way, the 4 Factors suggested Kansas would beat North Carolina, even before Kendall Marshall was injured.
Watching the N.C.A.A. Tournament
As the 2012 N.C.A.A. Tournament reaches the Sweet 16 stage, more and more players, coaches and fans will be tuning in to watch the games. The volume of basketball has decreased significantly from the opening weekend but the viewers’ interest rises exponentially. The games are entertaining simply because of the excitement but they can also serve as a learning opportunity for elite athletes. Apparently, Generation Y prefers to talk more about an issue rather actually addressing it but there is no reason for players to forgo an opportunity to develop their game.
Duke Tournament Losses
Recent Duke losses in the NCAA Tournament, from LSU in 2006 to Arizona in 2011 to Lehigh in 2012 all follow a similar narrative. Duke’s strength is their consistency but it can fail them because they have a hard time adapting to adversity.
Tournament Experience
The one factor that might trip up Kentucky’s favoured team is that they all have their sights set on other goals. They could fall victim to a squad that is more experienced and more motivated to win the tournament.
Where’s Fab Melo?
What is Syracuse missing without Fab Melo? It may be time to re-do the East Regional part of your bracket given Melo’s ineligibility.
Decisions on Defense
LeBron James passes instead of taking a shot. Any time, especially Utah, would be content for someone else on Miami to take the game winning shot instead of James. The players with the ball in crunch time must read the defense, know the situation and make good decisions.
Defending Jeremy Lin
In contrast to how Toronto defended a Jeremy Lin on February 14th, Miami caused significant problems for the Knicks point guard by blitzing New York’s ballscreens. The Knicks are running “Short” (Steve Novak is coming up behind the screen but since Lin is off-balance and unable to see the entire court, he cannot make a good pass and turns the ball over.
Linsanity in Toronto
Toronto was entirely unprepared for Jeremy Lin’s first visit to the Air Canada Centre. On the final play of the game, with the score tied and the clock winding down, Jose Calderon backs off in case Lin drives but he should note how little time is remaining. It is unlikely the Lin will make it to the rim so Calderon should play the shot. Furthermore, Toronto did not demonstrate good team defense. What was the plan? They would have been better to help more aggressively and force Lin to pass to a weaker shooter, such as Landry Fields or Iman …
Consistency
Consistency – over the course of a game, a season, a career – is one of the toughest obstacles faced by competitive athletes and teams. Over the course of an event or a meet, individuals may experience highs and lows; one poor race can dash one’s dreams of glory. In order to be consistent, different combination of players must maintain the same level of intensity and quality; diverse people must perform as one. Since it is so challenging to achieve, consistency is often associated with greatness. Dwane Casey keeps a 1,300 pound rock in the Toronto Raptors locker room, which …
The Pyramid of Success
Comprised of multiple blocks, John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success could be distilled into five main levels. The top level “Competitive Greatness” generally means success on the court, achieving one’s potential and living a positive life as a student, athlete and person. The top of the pyramid is supported by terms which equate to Relationships, Mindfulness, Fundamental Skills and Self-Confidence. At the 2011 Eastern Commerce Holiday Classic, great teams demonstrated these qualities in abundance. Some might say these are the basic criteria for success in any endeavour. Great teams support each other. When someone hits the floor, a teammate picks them …