Point Guard Thoughts

I received several questions in regard to point guard mentality. There are a great number of cliches that can be thrown out to describe this warrior like position (see I did it). Rather than go into the a list of point guard traits I will give a mindset that point guards need to have during competition that will help them evaluate over a 40 min game.

Ask your point this question during practice to help him/her develop a mindset that will be progressive and analytical. During each stoppage of play have a coach assigned to the point guard and have him ask the question "What happened on the last two plays?"

This is all encompassing because he is evaluating the whole game-- who's hot, changing defenses, a team unraveling, etc.... it focuses on adjustments and evaluations so he cannot fall into that victim state of mind.

Try it out and see if helps out your pgbecome a better (more stable) floor leader.
DD

Milwaukee Bucks

I had a chance to wacth the summer league between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Golden State Warriors last night ... and I know this may sound crazy but, watch the Bucks net season. They just dumped Richard Jefferson to San Antonio but I think they be better off without him.

As maligned as Brandon Jennings has been, I am convinced that he is going to be an elite NBA floor general-- he makes everyone around him better and he gets the ball up the court in a hurry. His defense has already improved with the expected demands of Skiles system of play.

Flanked on either side are 3 young forwards that will emerge this year as keepers--
Watch former Buck lottery selection Joe Alexander have a breakout year. He is looking more and more confident with his offensive game each contest. Luc Mbah a Moute proved to be a favorite of Skiles last year for his ability to guard multiple spots. Amir Johnson is a mere 21 years old and showed flashes with the Pistons ... he is power body in the mold of a Skiles type of player. Finally late round draft choice Jodie Meeks will provide a back court running mate for Jennings and a scoring punch off of the bench.

PG- Jennings
SG- Redd
SF- Mbah a Moute
PF - Amir Johnson
C- Bogut (former #1 pick)

Meeks and Alexander provide flexibilty and scoring punch off of the bench.

Give Skiles 24 games to mold them ... then start counting. This could be a 7 or 8 seed in this years playoffs.
DD

Atlantic Division not done

Watch the Knicks snatch up Ramon Sessons... not Andre Miller.

Boozer, Odom, and maybe Iverson to the Heat.

Big Baby Davis to the NJ Nets.

A player to watch in the 2009-2010 season ... remember Adam Morrison of Gonzaga. Well, he is in a cotract year and has had a fantastic summer league in Vegas-- watch Morrison bust out this season and have a career year.
DD

Shaq vs Dwight Howard ... some insight

The year was 1992 and the #1 draft choice for the Orlando Magic was none other than Shaq O'Neil. At that time in the Atlantic Division, Pat Ewing was beginning to establish himeself as a dominant force, not only in the East, but in the entire NBA.

Ewing, a former #1 pick for the Knicks, had a reputation for being a little cold with rookies ... most specifically rookies that threatened his legacy at the center position. This toughness and gamesmanship were probably learned from the likes of Mike Jarvis, John Thompson, Rick Pitino, and Pat Riley.

Flash to the future. We now have 17 year NBA vet O'neil trying to stamp his legacy and ironically, a young Orlando Magic center is barking at the door... Dwight Howard. The onslaught on the game of Dwight Howard had some mental tactics involved with it ... however, the attack was more a knock on the teaching ability of Patrick Ewing. I am sure Shaq was trying to get nto the head of Howard, but if you follow the history and interviews involving the two, you'll find a grudge that dates back 17 years.

Watch for the saga to continue now that Shaq is back in the East and he has a king in his corner. 1 more title for Shaq or a new dominant center on stage in Howard. It should make for interesting viewing in 2009-10.

DD

New happeneings in the NBA

Here are three things to look for today in the NBA--

Ricky Rubio is fading further and further away from Minnesota-- the buyout on his contract is a shield to prevent him from going to a small market. Rumor has it, his current franchise is willing to deal, but it has not been made public. Rubio will stay abroad ... but possibly with a different club (who can pay for his entire buyout) until the TWolves figure if Johnny Flynn can do the job. If he can, Rubio will be in a large market within the next two years.

Carlos Boozer is out in Utah-- the clock is ticking on the Milsap deal. The Jazz have to have financial room to give Milsap the 10 mllion plus is looking for on day one of his contract... or they wll lose both. Lurking in the shadows is none other than Pat Riley. Watch Riley make a deal involving Haslem and some draft picks for Boozer. Dwade will be smiling all the way to the championship game.

The Heat aren't done. Reportedly the Lakers are pulling out of the Odom deal. Watch Riley swoop in again and bring Odom back to Miami.

Iverson is meeting with the Clippers face to face to discuss coming off the bench. Don't be shocked if Pat Riley grabs the fallen star to team with DWade in the back court.

DD

Time for Miami to make a move

The Miami Heat have been involved with a mini-public soap opera with DWade regarding the future moves of the Heat front office. Mostly stimulated by the media, Wade and Team Prez Pat Riley are not on the same page with the direction of the franchise. Two moves happened recently that look favorable for the patient Riley:

1. Wade was offered his extension ... what Dwade must realize is that his signing is a catch 22. He wants a strong push to sign a big free agent before he signs ... what he fails to realize is that without his contract being signed ... THEY CANNOT GET ANOTHER BIG NAME!!!

2. Carlos Boozer has a home in Miami ... the Portland and Utah are in a battle for Milsap which ends the three team deal I mentioned friday and Detroit will not give up Prince for Boozer ... Welcome to Miami!!!

Watch Riley in the upcoming 10 days make a push for Boozer long term-- injuries have killed his market value but maybe the drive for a title to solidify his contributions to the power forward spot and his legacy may keep him healthy ... he Miami won't hurt either.

Watch for a DWade, Boozer, Beasley threesome to make a run.

DD

NBA Deals

Watch out for some of these deals in the next few days:

Boozer to the Bulls
Hinrich to the Trailblazers
Tyrus Thomas to Utah

Watch Stephon Mabury go to Europe.

Iverson is rumored to go to Memphis ... watch the Miami Heat possibly sneak in.

The Ricky Rubio talk is quieting down... they are still trying to get out of the buyout clause (6 million) or at least reduce it. Minnesota is giving the impression that they are slowing down ... but do not count out the Knicks still-- they are waiting to close out the contract talks with David Lee and watch them move him to Minnesota for the Spanish point guard.

DD

Alternating Current

As I mentioned yesterday, the alternating current idea is not "foreign" to US basketball ... but it is emphasized to a higher degree in other parts of the world. The concept is as follows:

It's important to survey the court before you receive the ball ... so when you get it you have the working knowledge of what has happened two to three passes before you and know what to do with it.
The alternating current thought is simple in theory-

1. If you receive the ball quickly, you should assume that the player before you saw something ... you should take a little longer with the ball to see what he saw.
2. If you receive the ball after someone holds the ball, you should be ready to move it quickly as the next recipient.

The major difference within the practice stuctures I saw is simple: PASSING IS SEEN AS A TEAM SKILL NOT AN INDIVIDUAL SKILL.

DD

More from South America

Here are some teaching points that I thought were emphasized in team and individual practice settings:

1. When we backdoor ... post up right afterwards. They cannot take away both the backdoor and the post up.
2. When we fill an open area (after a backdoor) we do so with the intent to shoot. The help cannot stop the backdoor and the fill.
3. Separate winners from losers everyday ... 1/1 daily-- losers run at 5am.
4. 5/5 games are played to 3. They have 3 teams of 5 with the odd team out skipping rope the entire time they are out.
5. Warm up shooting in outer third right, outer third left, and key area. They spend the first 20 minutes of practice shooting from these areas and charting.
6. From the charts on the shooting, the coaches decide how they run their offense and who gets shots in certain areas.
7. They move the ball with an alternating current (more on this tomorrow).
8. When they catch the thought is that the defense on the ball cannot take away the shot and the drive--- it has to be n immediate read. SHOT OR DRIVE!

Tomorrow we will hit their fastbreak thoughts and elaborate on the alternating current theory-- any electrical engineers out there?

DD

More Tips from South America

Each day this week I will provide you with some staples that I heard with each national program I visited. I will not divulge where each tidbit came from, however, it should not matter ... it's all very good basketball nuggets.

1. With the ball on the wing, we send the point person backdoor by dribbling at a point 1 step above the elbow or at the butt of the defender.

2. On the backdoor pass anticipate the cutters third step.

3. In practice chart offensive rebounding and shooting.

4. With shooters- chart how they miss (short and left; long and to the right;etc)

5. Never miss 2 shots in a row-- builds toughness.

6. Passers need to learn where the shooters want the ball ... and when they want the ball.

7. Pass before the shooter is open.

Each I'll add the -"isms" from South America. I hope they can add to your off season preparation and find their way into your practices and training.

DD

A little handling technique

As promised here is a little tidbit of skill information obtained from Argentina. When witnessing the ball handling workouts three things were emphasized during stationary handling/dribbling as well as movement exercises:

1. When the hands are moving the feet are moving--- this pertains more to the stationary dribbler than the moving dribbler. For instance, while administering a figure 8, the coaches demand a a heel to toe subtle movement so the feet and hands are in constant motion together.

2. In single ball movements, they had the guide hand up and moving ... mirroring the hand with the ball.. This was to prepare the kids for an easier exchange of the ball... so they can do something with the ball more quickly.

3. As the ball drops to the floor the body drops in order to make the exchange happen more quickly.

I hope these three little nuances help your handling technique.
DD