Think vs. React

I found this article rather interesting on the difference between thinking and reacting as noticed by John Killilea.  I am not sure when it was written, but regardless, it still provides a lot of food for thought.

Basketball is not a game of thinking. No one can convince me that the great plays made in basketball are all thought out, because the game changes so quickly while the play is being run. It’s a game of reflexes. We recently beat New York. We had been coming over the top, over the top for the last three games in a row and all of a sudden John Havlicek, probably one of the greatest players that ever played the game without the ball started over the top with probably one of the best jab steps that Earl Monroe ever saw. Then he reversed and went back door. Cowens hit him with a pass for an easy layup and that was the ball game.


Now, why don’t others on our team run that play? Well, they do. We use some people, but John Havlicek fundmentaly is probably one of the greatest. He’ll work on the jab step, set the man up, and then take it away from him, and that’s it. Others will try that and never fool anybody because they’re not convincing enough. They don’t work hard enough at making it believable. Or they won’t run hard enough to get open. I watched the replays on TV and Earl Monroe wasn’t a quarter step behind John, yet that quarter step was enough for them to lose the ball game in Madison Square Garden. SO you have to look back and determine the basic fundamentals in basketball that won the ball game for you.

Fundamentals win ball games for you. It starts long before the ball goes through the hoop. It starts when kids are just learning the game. When I look at a college kid I like to watch and see what kind of attitude he’s got, and how hard he would work to maybe become another John Havlicek, or even get close to becoming a Havlicek. There aren’t going to be many to come down the pike like him.

-John Killilea, Boston Celtics & Milwaukee Bucks

Bo Ryan: Wisconsin Transition Defense

A few years ago, I heard Bo Ryan discuss his philosophy to transition defense.  It was absolutely great.  It was amazing how simple it was and logic behind it.  I broke down my notes and diagrams to show the basic concepts of his transition defense.

Wisconsin Transition Defense

Ball Screen Quick Hitters

Here are some great quick hitters for all of you coaches that like to incorporate ball screen actions into your playbooks.  When executed properly, ball screen actions can be the most difficult to defend.  Hope they help.

50 Ball Screen Quick Hitters

Coaching Quote #26: Player Roles

"If you don't want to accept your role, you are telling your teammates that you don't want to contribute to winning a Championship. Your message is that you are greater than the cause."

--- Kevin Eastman

End of Game Defense Strategy: Foul When Up 3

Here is a great resource for end of game defense.  Definately has some interesting numbers for NBA defense.

3-D: Late Game Defense

Kevin Eastman: Boston Celtics Standards

1. Professionalism. (commit to acting in a first class manner every day of the year, being a pro or being professional)

2. No Personal Agendas. (one agenda & one agenda only, to do whatever is necessary to help team win championships)

3. Professional & Respectful Communication. (commitment to listening & how we send messages to one another)

4. Think of the NOW Only. (this team, this year)

5. One Way. (commitment to teaching & learning One Way)

6. Efficient Team. (execute within the system with simplicity to produce maximum efficiency)

7. Team of Execution. (commit to learning our Off/Def system)

8. Never have bad Practices. (commit to giving great effort & execution daily)

9. Responsibility. (commit to holding ourselves personally responsible for our actions, efforts, fulfilling designated roles)

10. Trust.

11. No Excuses. (we either get it done or we don't, but the next play or quarter or game, becomes the Celtic Standard

Bear Bryant: Mind Over Matter

I go this video from Zac Boisvert.  It is has some great thoughts from legendary coach, Bear Bryant.  Even though Bear Bryant was a football coach, there are still a bunch of great coaching tidbits that we can all apply to our program. 

Mind Over Matter

Coaching Quote #25: Winning

"Without the success of the team, no one will be rewarded individually. We win, everyone wins."

--- Jay Bilas

Improve Yourself and Your Program: Scott Duncan Clinic Notes

Here is another set of clinic notes I put together a near by clinc.  Scott Duncan gave a great presentation and definately gave me a lot to think about with our program.  I hope you find them as useful as I did.

Scott Duncan: Improve Yourself and Your Program

Ric Wesley High Post Offense

Here is a breakdown of Ric Welsley's High Post Offense for those of you coaches who like to run a high post style of offense.  He also has some good transition ideas that lead into to his offense as well.  Hope it helps.

Ric Wesley High Post Offense