Luck & Superstition

Yesterday I finished up last week's Sports Illustrated and the "Point After" by Phil Taylor entitled "That Voodoo That You Do" got me thinking as I mentally prepare for another Red River Shootout between my Texas Longhorns and the hated Sooners of Oklahoma.

Phil basically talked about some of the funny or outlandish things that we do as fans to help our team win or sometimes cause them to lose because we've jinxed them.

The reason it touched a chord was because it made me think of the things I've done through the years wardrobe-wise when it came to my 'Horns, Spurs, or Cowboys.

- I've gone entire seasons wearing the same shirt, jersey, or shorts (washed of course) for each game, that is, until said team lost.

- I've changed outfits at halftime of games.

- I've "rallied" my cap, even though I don't like baseball (unless it's the Horns).

- I've searched the house for either the Longhorn cowbell, the stuffed Bevo that makes noise, or that particular cap I was wearing in some random comeback.

- I've insisted that my wife change shirts because she was wearing my team's color and they were about to play or were in the middle of losing. (disclaimer - this theory was developed by my wife, because she started wearing Longhorn gear and they'd lose. Hence, making her change.)

- I've changed my daughter's onesie, shorts, or put a hat on her, simply because she may have been the cause for whatever bad thing may or may not have been happening at the moment.

- Most of my friends know not to call me and ask any questions during or immediately following a game for fear of ruining the outcome for me (since I often like to DVR games and start them late so as to skip commercials and random commentary/features on unimportant opponents).

- I have insisted that my family leave a wedding reception because the Horns were in trouble. (insert your own reason why you must leave a wedding reception). I then watched for several minutes in my suit once home before I realized that I had to put on my "game attire."

- And finally, I have locked out my friends because they threatened to come back to my house during a Longhorn comeback.

I'm sure there are other things I've done that I just can't remember, and you can be the judge whether we fans have any direct or indirect effect on whether our team wins or loses...but I will not tempt fate. Besides, the last 2 items I listed directly helped the Texas Longhorns win the National Championship in 2005. We left the reception while the Horns were losing to Ohio State at the Horseshoe (The comeback and miraculous catch by Limas Sweed happened after I changed my clothes!). And my buddies John and Tim came to watch the Texas/USC Championship game with me at my house. They left with 5-6 minutes to go in the 4th quarter. And after Texas started to comeback they called me asking if they could come back and I told them there was no way they would be allowed back in my house! And you know what happened next...

"Raising an All-American"

I wish that I could take credit for this, but I literally copied and pasted this excerpt directly from Eric Musselman's blog (see my Favorites to the right). I have not read this book, but it is now at the top of my list...watch out Adi...Daddy has huge expectations!!!! :)
Actually, it is one of the best short "excerpts" I've read in a long time. This totally sums up what coaches are looking for intrinsicly in a player. I have a book of quotes that I will one day give to my kids, and this will be in the front.

"About five years ago, former NBA player Devin Durrant (who averaged nearly 30 ppg for BYU back in the mid-80s) wrote a book called "Raising an All-American." I have a copy here at the house, so I pulled it off the shelf. It's written for parents, but really provides excellent insight on the subject and should be a must-read for players. The following are some excerpts:

Coachable and teachable are synonymous. Coaches are first and foremost, teachers. Players are students. Coaches want to feel players care about what they say. During practice, during timeouts, in the post-game, etc., a coachable player will give his coach his undivided attention and then do what he has been told to do. If a player doesn't learn to listen, then he will have to learn to like a seat on the bench. More opportunities come to those who are willing to be taught.
One of the things that has always amazed me as a basketball player is how much time some players spend wishing the coach would change the way he did things—wishing that the coach would change the offense, wishing that the coach would change the defense, wishing the coach would change who he plays. Those players need to take all that energy and think about what they can change within themselves.
A potential All-American doesn't worry about the things he can't control. He just deals with the things he can control. As a player, one thing he can control is where he is going to expend his energy. An athlete should focus on how to become a better athlete. A coachable athlete will try to understand what the coach is trying to accomplish and then do his best to make that happen.
Some athletes say, "The coach doesn't like me." That attitude creates a self-imposed negative barrier blocking the athlete from success. Remember a coach usually loves his players because they are playing their guts out for him. A coach may criticize a player [EM: Don't take it personally], but that doesn't mean he doesn't like the player [EM: Don't make assumptions.]. The coach wants to win. If a team member helps him do that, he will treat that player like a son because that player is helping him succeed.
Generally speaking, if the coach seems to not like a player, it is because the player is not doing the things that will help the team win. A potential All-American doesn't blame his lack of playing time on a feeling that the coach doesn't like him personally. The coach is going to play those players that he thinks give him the best chance to get a victory.
Some coaches are a lot easier to hate than to love. Despising a coach at times is okay. Keep in mind that an unlikable coach might be the key to future athletic success. It is not pleasant to be yelled at for having made a mistake but it is the coach's job to push the player. A player won't generally have positive feelings toward a coach who at times is critical of him, but his feelings may change over time. A coach has to be a little crazy, even mean at times. He may have to yell and rant and rave in order to get a player to perform at his best.
A coachable player is not an excuse maker. He takes responsibility for his actions. If his coach takes him out and jumps all over him, he doesn't blame the coach. He is accountable for his own errors. When he makes a mistake, he acknowledges it and moves on. He then does his best not to make the same mistake again. A coachable player knows he needs to take criticism or he will never get any better.
One thing all great players seem to have in common is during their careers, one or more coaches were critical of them. As a matter of fact, one common method of coaching is criticism. One of the best examples I have ever seen of someone who could take criticism and then go out and do good things was Charles Barkley. I was his teammate representing the United States in the University Games some years back.
As we prepared for the games, we spent some time in Kansas City where we played an exhibition game. At one point in the game I was on the bench and Charles was on the floor. He made a mistake and the coach immediately sent someone in for him. Charles came over to the bench and sat down right by me. Our coach, Norm Stewart, who was the coach at the University of Missouri at the time, walked down the bench and stood above where the two of us were seated. I don't remember what Charles had done wrong on the court, but Coach Stewart let him have it.
I watched Charles as he looked Coach in the eye. He didn't say anything, didn't challenge him, just took it like a man. Coach Stewart finished his tirade, returned to his chair, and sat down. Charles got himself ready to go back in the game. Nothing more was said of it. It was over for Charles and it was over for Coach Stewart. Charles went on and had a successful experience with that team at the University Games. I was impressed at how well Charles handled that tongue lashing. It took a lot of character just to take it and move on, but I believe Charles knew Coach Stewart's goal was to make him a better player.
One of the pluses of participating in athletics is that it teaches accountability. When [a player] makes a mistake, he is immediately held accountable. That might mean that he will be taken out of the game and get to sit on the bench for a while, or even for the rest of the game. That could happen because the coach is making him accountable for his mistakes.
Pat Summitt, the very successful coach of the women's basketball team at the University of Tennessee, said: “Accountability is essential to personal growth, as well as team growth. How can you improve if you're never wrong? If you don't admit a mistake and take responsibility for it, you're bound to make the same one again."

USA Basketball: The Gold Standard?

Disclaimer #1: I love USA Basketball. I want to watch every game, scrimmage, practice, etc. One of the coolest things about my former boss, Dan Hays of Oklahoma Christian University, is that he used to be the NAIA rep to USA Basketball. I would love to be that person some day. So all of my comments are meant to be unbiased, thoughts about the organization, team, and the games they play. I hope they beat Spain by 40 (mostly just so Michael Redd gets to play more...my new favorite player that's not a Spur or played for Texas).

The USA Senior Men's National Team advanced to face Spain in a rematch for the gold medal today. But it was hardly the kind of game that made you think they were clicking on all cylinders. The win over Argentina was odd in several ways:

First, Manu Ginobili, Argentina's best player and MVP, went out early with an ankle injury and didn't return. Yet, Argentina weathered the storm and cut a 20+ deficit to 6 just before the half. Argentina was led by Luis Scola and Carlos Delfino, two NBA role players that looked like All-Stars against the USA defense. Scola was basically "given" to Houston by the Spurs because they already had Scola's Argentine teammate, Olberto. My thought was that he must not be a contributor since the Spurs are widely-regarded as the best evaluator of foreign talent. Seems to me he's a lot better than Olberto. Delfino was supposedly going to be the focal point of USA's defensive game plan and drew Kobe Bryant as his defender. But he hit shot after shot to keep the game interesting.

As a coach, I've found that teams play better without their best player at times. I hated seeing the opponents best player leave with an injury because I knew it would be immediately followed by a let down from my team, as brief as it may be. Whether it is just role players getting a chance to show their skills or a lapse in intensity by the opposition can be debated. But Argentina made their comeback after Ginobili went out.

The second thing to me that is odd is how USA is being praised for outplaying their opponents. They are supposedly making the necessary adjustments against the zone, etc. To me, they are just winning on talent and athleticism, not coaching or adjustments per se. They miss FT's at an alarming rate, but then get the offensive rebound. They miss 3's but then get the offensive board. Instead, they get Lebron going to the basket or lob the ball to Howard who dunks on 3 people...these aren't adjustments, it's just talent.

Disclaimer #2: (This disclaimer is brought to you by Tim Tibbles) I am a shooter. I love shooting. I think that shooting is the best part of basketball, and thus, feel that if you are a shooter, you should be playing. Read on...

Odd thing #3: An actual substitution by the USA based on need, not just rotation. I must finally give some credit to Coach K...he finally gave Michael Redd some time in the 2nd quarter during Argentina's comeback and the sputtering offense and shooting of the US . He didn't score, in fact I don't think he even took a shot. But as I've previously discussed, he opened up some things just by being on the floor and making somebody stay close to him. Just last night in pickup ball my defender was getting yelled at for not giving help on penetration. He just laughed at the guy and said, "What am I gonna do? I'm not going to leave Rob! I'm not going to leave a shooter!"

But the best example I heard was during a WNBA game between the Sparks and the Mystics earlier this year. The commentator said that former Mystics coach Richie Adubato used to tell 3-point champ Laurie Koehn to stand up from the bench against the Detroit Shock when they'd go zone, because coach Bill Laimbeer was so scared of Koehn's shooting he'd immediately go back to man to man. Adubato would just tell Koehn to sit back down. The power of shooting!

Disclaimer #3: I like Coach K. I think he's a great coach, in fact I've even been a closet Duke fan in the past. I liked the Hurley years, loved Reddick, hated Battier. But Coach K...great coach.

Last odd thing: I'm sick of hearing Doug Collins lauding Coach K for "not feeling like he has to play everybody." That's fine for the Dream Team not playing Laettner, but this was supposed to be a team put together for specific needs. Besides the "stars," Tayshaun Prince is a defender, Boozer is a hard-nosed worker and banger, and of course you know about Michael Redd. But these guys are not being used in the tournament for the skills they bring to the table. Coach K quoted Bobby Knight as telling him "remember that you're a good enough coach to coach them." So if that's the case, coach the team. I think that he's caught up in the hype a little bit. Most coaches I know have a "zone team" they roll out, especially if the offense is struggling. How hard is it to sub Redd for one of the 2 point guards they insist on playing together?

On a personal note, I think that Carlos Boozer is getting the raw end of the Coach K deal. Here's why: when I was coaching high school girls, I had a group of 5 seniors that started the first half of the season, with a junior guard and sophomore post as subs. Late in the year I decided to insert the sophomore post in the starting lineup to go "big" and because she was easily going to be the best of the bunch when it was all said and done. So who to sit? Do I sit the 4-year started? No. She'd "earned the right" to start. Right? Do I sit my best defender. No. I might lose her because she can lose her head sometimes to frustration. So I sit personal favorite player, although she might be our most fundamental player. But I knew she could handle the "demotion" and would still give me the same effort whether starting, playing, or not. I think that this is the case with Coach K and Boozer. He's sitting because of familiarity, understanding, trust, and comfort. Not saying that he should play ahead of Howard or Bosh, but only getting scrub minutes at the end of 20-30 point blowouts? I just get the feeling that if he hadn't played for K at Duke he wouldn't be sitting so much.

My Mistake: USA Basketball

Ok, so we're 3 games into the Olympic Prelims for basketball and the US has been mostly dominating by today's worldwide standards. Although the first halves are pretty competitive, the USA men basically have their Sportscenter way in the last half of games.

Although I stick to the premise of my earlier post on the USA Senior Men's Basketball Team, I have to admit that some of the players have surprised me. Through the first 3 games the USA's best 2 players have been Lebron James and Dwayne Wade.

Lebron has lived up to Skip Bayless' title as "the best driver in the history of the game." He has been active on defense, run the floor, and has 2-5 dunks in every game. He's even hit a few 3's, although I'd rather him shoot them after a few passes, rather than shooting off the dribble with no passes to start the offense.

DWAYNE WADE IS THE MAN!!! That pains me to say it. As stars go, Dwayne Wade has to fall into my Top 5 least favorite. I ripped him for his selection, I didn't like him in the exhibitions (too much out of control penetrations in the lane), but he has easily been the best player for the USA in the Olympics. Today against Greece he single-handedly changed the game and made the best highlight pass to date (steal at midcourt, falling out of bounds, lob alley-oop to Kobe). He's scoring at will from inside and out (Kobe thanks you), and is defending well in the halfcourt (not something he's known for in the NBA).

Here's a few other observations:

Chris Bosh is the USA's best big man and most versatile defender. If he didn't play in Toronto he'd probably be 1st Team All-Defense.

Assuming that USA beats Spain on Saturday, they should spend Game 5 of the prelims force-feeding Kobe Bryant to get him out of his shooting slump. Let him score 50, whatever it takes to get him going. He is the best player in the world (although Chris Paul should have been the MVP), but right now he scares me with his abysmal 3-pt shooting.

Most importantly: Where is Michael Redd????? Greece sits in a zone for the majority of the game, and Michael Redd gets garbage time the last 6 minutes of the game up 25? He's your designated shooter, a specialist, your struggling from the outside against zone, and he sits? How about this other option for Game 5: if you don't like the Kobe scoring idea, how about you give Redd Kobe's minutes for the entirety of Game 5. 1 of 2 things will happen. Either they'll faceguard him which opens up driving lanes for the slashers, or they'll help and he'll score about 25, like he has in every other game he got reasonable minutes.

Coach K...USE YOUR SHOOTERS!!!!

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Big Fish

This is my "big girl" showing her Mommy how she swims underwater. She surprised me at the waterpark today by doing this. We've been trying to get her to kick her feet and "close her mouth." But today was the breakthrough, ironic as it was...

See, last week we signed Adi up for swim lessons at the waterpark, but it was not a fun experience. The first day she cried, then after some comforting by dad, she went with the lifeguards/teachers. The second day was worse, but then had fun with the teacher since dad was helping. Then on Wednesday she was even worse then the first 2 days, not wanting any part of the lifeguards. So I decided that we were done with swim lessons (much to the chagrin of the coordinator...but don't get me started on that).

So today we found ourselves at the waterpark, as usual, although Adi wasn't sure about going at first, "I don't want to go to swim lessons." But after assuring her we were just going to have fun, she was her normal happy self, then I took her to the deep end. Actually she chased me to the deep end, where I'd tell her, "kick, kick, kick." And she'd struggle to keep her face above water, but eventually making it to me. Then...

Out of nowhere, she just puts her head in the water and starts kicking to me. Again, and again, and again. I was just cracking up. I couldn't believe my 2 year old was REALLY SWIMMING! Who needs swim lessons? She then added the breaststroke arm movement at home when we were showing Mommy. It's amazing. I would rank this up there with the first time she walked.

Aren't kids amazing?

Moved to tears...

God works in mysterious ways...Give it to God and He'll work it out.

These are 2 statements that I truly believe in, especially the latter.

This post is a small departure from my usual subjects, but it is my sabbatical and the history leading up to it that is the main reason for this post. Confused? Just read on.

Today I was moved to tears during worship this morning at Fellowship Bible Church in Little Rock, AR. It is the second time in the past 2 months that I have found myself wiping away tears during a song at Fellowship Bible Church. Did I mention that we've only been visiting this church off and on for the past 3 months? Oh, and by the way, it was a girl/woman singing/leading the song, and then she "led" a prayer to close the song today.

Why am I even visiting other churches after a year in Little Rock? Because I can't remember the last time I was moved to tears during a song in church. Honestly, I can't remember the last time, if ever, I was moved to tears while participating from the congregation. I've cried while leading worship, but not while sitting or standing in the crowd...that I can remember.

Long story short: I grew up in the church of Christ. I went to a church of Christ college. I worked for said college and another (where I met my wife). Tried different churches and denominations the past 10 years, the last one being a church of Christ here in Little Rock the past year. But there are several issues a few paragraphs back that would be MAJOR issues at all of these places (instruments, females "leading" worship, and especially a female "leading" a prayer). And that's why I'm visiting Fellowship.

When I tell people (when prompted) that I'm visiting churches again, they say, "Oh, well you should come to this church (of Christ)." But I can't explain to them, without offending them that it is just not right for me.

And although there are many great things about all the places I've been a member or visited (by the way: my home congregation growing up in San Antonio was major progressive 10 years ago on women's roles in the church), the easiest way to say it is that I have not been moved to tears.

The funny thing about us being at Fellowship (not decided if for good), is that our old preacher at FCC Owasso, mentioned it as a possibility when we were coming to Arkansas. So as my boy Tibbles would say, "Mad Props to Charlie."

When were you last moved to tears?

The Palace Brawl 2

This past week a "brawl" broke out between the LA Sparks and Detroit Shock at the Palace of Auburn Hills (sight of the infamous Palace Brawl between the Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers). Many things have been written and debated over the past few days about the brawl, but the majority has focused on Shock assistant coach Rick Mahorn and his "man-handling" of Sparks center Lisa Leslie. Here are a few of my thoughts, both interesting and humorous:

1. I agree with Rick and those present who said that Mahorn was obviously trying to be a peacemaker. He did not shove Leslie. He pushed her back and she lost her balace, falling in the process.

2. Watching the replay, I guess Lisa Leslie forgot that when confronted by Mahorn she took a swing at him. To me it looked like she took the swing and was trying to retreat, maybe trying to get a quick blow in. I'd probably be trying to get away if I saw Rick coming towards me as well.

3. How about the 2 other Sparks players who attack Mahorn? One gets him from behind, and the other comes over another assistant "restraining" him. What were they thinking? Did they really think they were going to fight him, or were they just trying to get in shots?

4. What do you think was really said between Mahorn and Sparks coach Michael Cooper (and former Laker forward):
Cooper: What are you doing?
Mahorn: About to kill that nappy-hea.... (insert Don Imus quote, just kidding)

5. In all seriousness...did no one in the NBA or WNBA not think to put in a rule about bench decorum in the event of a fight or altercation? Seriously? In over 10 years of competition, no one thought that, "Hey, you know one day there might be a fight, maybe we should put in the NBA rule about leaving the bench."
Maybe they did think about it but decided against it on the off chance that Jeff Van Gundy might get a job in the WNBA. He'd be the only coach in history to hang on someone's leg in a NBA and WNBA game.

The Shooter

Well we put a wrap on the Pleasant Valley Family Life Center Basketball Camp version 2008 last week. We had about 45 kids this year for the 4 day camp each afternoon. I'd like to give a special thanks to those who helped: Julie, Spencer, Heather, Vaneesa, Barry, and the kids on PV and CAC for being basket coaches.

I'd also like to give a big thank you to former Razorback Pat Bradley. He came on Wednesday afternoon to do a shooting clinic and talk for the kids, and he was a big hit. The kids were enthralled by his shooting prowess. I hope that he and other Razorbacks will continue to be involved in the future.

That is the end of my camps for the summer, but if you know of anyone looking for someone to do a camp or clinic for them, just let me know.

What's more important, the cost or the Brand?

This morning while watching ESPN First Take I learned that Elton Brand was perpetuating the Clipper Curse by "opting" to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers. This after the Clips had done what they thought was necessary to keep Brand by signing a "semi-elite" veteran point guard in Baron Davis, a home town guy who starred at UCLA.

Skip Bayless, a personality on First Take, ripped Brand for being the typical selfish NBA guy. He feels that the street code, "My word is bond," should hold true for professional athletes, especially Brand, who is known as a pillar of the community and generally one of the "nice guys" of the NBA. He reportedly helped recruit Davis away from the Warriors (albeit speculation) only to jet when more money ($20 million more) was presented. Admittedly, Elton Brand will have a better chance in the East with the Sixers than with the Clips in the West.

But should we be surprised by this display of the almighty dollar? It was not long ago that Carlos Boozer convinced the Cavs to "tear up" his contract so that they could resign him for more money, only to leave the next week with bags packed for Utah. But that was shame on the Cavs. They didn't have to let him out of his deal. In the case of Brand, it was a player option.

For every Gilbert Arenas who supposedly took less money so that the Wizards could resign Antawn Jamison, there are 15-20 guys who opt out with the best intentions only to find themselves in a new city and uniform the next season. If one of the elite teams in the league (i.e. - Celtics, Spurs, Lakers, Pistons, etc.) had suddenly come up with more money, especially the East teams, I get the feeling that Agent 0 would have had to find a new ball boy for his late night shooting.

So what's more important, the money in the pocket or the name on the jersey? Unless you are a past your prime superstar looking for one last hoorah and a chance for a ring...Show them the money!!!!

Knicks Banned from NBA Playoffs!!!

What would your first thought be if you read the above headline or saw it across your ESPN ticker at the beginning of this past season? Initially it would probably be shock, but then you'd think, "I wonder what Isaiah Thomas did this time?" Or maybe, "Who cares, the Knicks are terrible anyways!"

No imagine that Isaiah and the organization had been fired, the players were cut and the coaching staff was purged. Then Greg Popovich, Tim Duncan, and the entire San Antonio Spurs organization was brought in to replace the Knicks before the season started.

Now what are your thoughts about the above headline? "What? That's crazy! How can you not let the defending World Champions try to repeat?!!" Your argument would be that the Spurs are only the Knicks in name, everything else about them is still the same!

But David Stern decided that this would be a convenient way to keep the Spurs, and their winning (yet low ratings producing) style of basketball out of the championship hunt. The NBA was just tired of watching the Spurs. This would be an easy way to guarentee a new champ and get fresh blood in the Finals. You would think that this was nuts, ludicrous, ridiculous. But that's exactly what has happened in the cycling world.

The U.S. Postal/Discovery Channel cycling team, better known as the team that Lance Armstrong built, lost it's title sponsor after last season, and ceased to exist for a short time, despite coming off a Tour de France victory. It's 8th in 9 years (7 with Lance as the winner).

On the other side of the ocean, Astana's cycling team was mired in doping problems. So it's owners fired everybody and brought in Johan Bruyneel to be it's new director (or coach/GM). So, for all intents and purposes, he brought over his old team (including Tour de France winner Alberto Contador), staff, and support. It was a convenient way to keep the championships coming, and a great way for the owners of Astana to continue without the negative press.

But then ASO, the French organization that runs the Tour de France, and other major races, made the announcement that the Astana team would not be allowed in any of it's races or Grand Tours! So one of the premier organizations and riders in the world would not be allowed to defend their title. Lance Armstrong calls this "his penalty." But this announcement largely went unnoticed in the United States.

The Tour started yesterday, and Johan Bruyneel was not directing a team for the first time in 9 years. He's like the Phil Jackson of the cycling world. It's a shame that Astana and Bruyneel were being treated this way. I guess the French will be excited because someone with more flare will find themselves on the Tour podium in 3 weeks. But it's just one more reason why America will take another step away from the cycling world.

With Lance's retirement, and Floyd Landis', and Tyler Hamilton's disgraces, America no longer cares about what happens in France...unless it involves a certain Spurs point guard and his Desperate Housewife!

NBA Draft

Just read a blog by Eric Musselman, former NBA head coach, and son of former NBA head coach Bill Musselman. He was talking about players slipping in the draft and then being successful vs. high picks being busts.

Same thing I had been thinking recently. Why does 2-4 years of game film suddenly become irrelevent in draft rooms? I had this thought over and over last Thursday in reference to D. J. Augustine from Texas. Besides being a die-hard San Antonio Spurs fan, I am officially an Oklahoma transplant (but not for the Sooners). So I got behind the Hornets and am now eager to embrace the new Oklahoma City (formerly Sonics) team. Especially since their franchise player is Texas' Kevin Durant.

I've heard many "experts" talk about Charlotte "reaching" for Augustine too early. But yet there were many of us coaches at OC Cage Camp upset about the Sonics "reaching" for Westbrook at pick #4. Unlike many of the coaches, I believe that Westbrook could be a very nice piece of the puzzle in OKC. But wouldn't Augustine have been a pretty logical pick for OKC.

Besides being an All-American, and being one of the assist leaders for 2 years in college, he would be a great regional pick for the OKC area (Big 12 country!). But above all this, how come no one talks about the fact that Kevin Durant led the nation in scoring and was National Player of the Year, and last year's #2 NBA draft pick while being fed the ball by...wait on it...D. J. Augustine!!!

Oh well, I guess while Westbrook is locking up Western Conference point guards, Michael Jordan will be destroying Augustine's career in Charlotte. Does anybody else think that D.J. was cursing when he heard his name being called Thursday. Good news is that when D.J. gets hurt (and he will, because all Charlotte draft picks get hurt), he'll have plenty of time to supplement his income on eBay with Jordan signed gear!

USA Basketball

This may be a topic I come back to often over the next several months, but are the USA Basketball selections ridiculous, or is it just me? Now, don't get me wrong, you want to select the best of the best to represent your country, but it's not an All-Star Game...it's the Olympics. It's us vs. the world.

Haven't we seen that the pieces are more important than the individual talent? Do we really need to see Lebron James hoisting up three's? Can't we take Dwayne Wade's spot and replace him with a shooter or big man, since he hasn't played a memorable minute of basketball in about 2 years?

I guess Tayshaun Prince is the utility pick: long, quick, can guard the opponent's best player. But can't Kobe do that? Couldn't Coach K and the rest of the USA higher-ups find a versatile player that can also shoot? What's Ray Allen or Paul Pierce doing the next few months? Maybe a big guy like Rasheed Wallace (although it pains me to say it) who is, according to NBA player surveys, one of the league's best defenders and hardest to cover, would be a good pick because he can step out and draw foreign big men out of the paint. And you know he's be good soundbites for all the NBC coverage.

I feel about J-Kidd in the Olympics the same way I feel about J-Kidd to the Mavs...WHY? Don't we think that D. Williams and Chris Paul can handle the PG duties? If they get into trouble I assume that Kobe can run the point. There's another spot for another shooter.

USA BASKETBALL...YOU CAN'T HAVE ENOUGH SHOOTERS!!!!

Sidenote: On the women's side, it's not about being Patriotic. If the MVP Runner-up isn't good enough to be on your team, don't be upset when she fulfills her Olympic dreams for another country, let alone Russia. Kudos to Becky Hammon for being one of the best in the world.

When did I learn this?

So I'm in the 2nd week of Cage Camp at Oklahoma Christian University (one of the largest fundamental basketball camps in the country), and as always it seems that the kids are getting worse and worse. Now let me qualify that last statement.

I am working with the NBA Division (10th -12th graders) this week for the first time in 10 years of camp; usually I am a Master Teacher or Director in one of the middle school leagues. This week there are approx. 8-10 seniors, 6-7 juniors, and the rest sophomores in a league of 44 kids. Out of the entire group there is 1 legit prospect as a sophomore, and about 8-10 kids that are pretty skilled, probably starters on their varsity teams. So I say all this to let you know that there is a lot of teaching going on in a pretty young high school group.

I have found myself telling my team multiple times, "Come on guys, you guys are high schoolers!" And so I think to myself..."when did I learn to play?"

Even though I played in college, I don't feel that I really understood the game and how to really play until my junior year in college thanks to a great coach. But I still knew how to set a screen, move without the ball, and how to shoot it a little when I was in high school. And that was with only freshman and sophomore ball in high school. So the question becomes why are these kids not learning and retaining the skills that are requisite to play and be successful at the game of basketball?

Is AAU to blame? Too many games? Is it other activities or interests (jobs, other sports, Xbox, etc)? Is it lack of quality coaches and teachers in the lower levels? I don't know. All I know is that as more and more kids are playing summer ball and less and less are going to camps or staying at home to practice, basketball players are getting worse. Is it any wonder that 2 recently recognizable names in the upper levels of basketball have publically talked about giving up AAU ball because of lack of fundamentals and too many games? (Brandon Roy and Stephen Curry)

It's time that we as coaches and parents start de-emphasizing the summer circuits and start encouraging our kids to work on their games individually or with a small group of friends. Let's save the summer tours for the top 1-2 kids on our teams/conferences and get the rest of the kids in the gyms so that they can help contribute to the success of their teams.

Players will not work on weaknesses during games. They will mostly play to their strengths.

Here's a great story I tell many young talented players:
A few years ago I sat with 2 very talented players after some pickup ball once camp was completed. One was Tyrone Ellis, All-American from Southern Nazarene who was in between successful seasons playing overseas and in the NBDL. The other was our redshirt sophomore power forward at Oklahoma Christian Jarred Merrill.
Tyrone had struggled individually the entire night, getting stripped by lesser players, not hitting shots...definitely not the player we had become accustomed to seeing dominate even the best players. But he let Jarred in on the secret to his struggles: He was working on his game. HE WAS WORKING ON HIS GAME DURING PICKUP BALL!!!!
During a time when most people are trying to brag and show each other up, he was purposefully doing things he was not good at in order to improve his game. He told me, "I know I can take these guys any time I want to. But I don't have anything to prove to those guys. I'm getting paid to play. I don't care what those guys think because they're not paying my check. My coach told me I needed to work on my between the legs dribble against pressure and to get into my shot; so that's what I'm doing."
WOW! What a novel idea!!! I don't know if this one conversation had the effect on Merrill as it did on me, although I reminded him of this often during the next couple of seasons, but he did improve a lot. Jarred went on to lead the nation in scoring and rebounding his last 2 years at OC and was named National Player of the Year. He's also playing overseas now after several NBA camps the past few years. What a great story!!!!!

First Christian Church Basketball Camp and Pick-up Outreach

It's been two weeks since we completed basketball camp at First Christian Church of Owasso and I'd like to just give a little shout out to Aaron, James, and Tim for the work they did behind the scenes for me, the church, and the camp. I've gotten several great comments and am looking forward to next year already.

It's only fitting that I became the camp director after leaving Owasso since it was basketball that led me to becoming a member of the church during my family's time there. As coaches we often speak of the character building aspects of athletics, but we often times overlook the social and ministry opportunities that basketball affords. I know I'm not the only person who has ever been hooked up with FCC because of the basketball league or Monday night pickup ball.

My wife often chastises me when I complain about there being too many people on pick-up nights or guys that don't know how to play. But we must all remember that just because we are gathering for basketball, doesn't mean we shouldn't miss the opportunity for fellowship, ministry, and outreach.

But is it too much to ask that the outreach come with a jumpshot or the ability to find me when I'm open on the break?!! :)

Welcome to my perspective...

Welcome to my perspective...as interesting as it may be. Would you listen to your coach? How about your dad? What if your dad used to be a coach?

Well, fortunately for me (a coach turned stay-at-home dad), my 2-year old daughter does a pretty good job of listening. Probably better than half of my former players. When I tell her to shoot it, she follows through. When I tell her to get the ball, she does. She wants to watch me play ball, and she wants to "watch ball with you, Daddy." So she's obviously well on her way to a college scholarship and the WNBA! Although at this point she still shoots a set shot.

So I will use this forum to discuss topics in basketball and coaching that are interesting to me in addition to sharing the occasional parenting antedote from the Stay-At-Home Coach. Tune in to the next great internet sensation that is certain to take the web by storm...and if not, just enjoy the knowledge that you've become part of a cult niche: the late night blog surfer.