Couple of administrative type things to get out of the way first...
Our Program Newsletter: May Edition - take a look: Click Here
Pancake Breakfast - Call the number on the flier or me for tickets: Click Here
And now to business.
We recently had a dinner event after a practice and I did something I rarely ever do - I sat down and had lengthy conversations with parents without being asked to discuss something. Don't get me wrong, I don't have it against the parents, just I got burned my first few years talking to parents about stuff, and just decided that it may be better for all parties involved to limit how much time we spend talking while I am their son's coach. Fortunately, I broke my own rule, sat down with the parents and we just hung out, talked about what's left of our season, and the like.
One part of the conversation that really struck me was that the parents were asking what our plan was for the next few weeks as we prepare for the Zero Gravity National tournament in Boston. I honestly hadn't quite decided what we were going to do as I was still trying to see if we wanted to play each weekend leading up to the tournament for momentum or play in one last tournament and then give them the weekend off to rest and recuperate. I know what you're thinking - you coach 8th graders, they don't need rest. I know that. But they do get burn out. Is was also my way of saying that I didn't want to kill the parents playing every weekend for the last 3 months with only 2 free weekends. In the past, I had parents complain about how busy the schedule was. I also had younger kids, and less experienced parents. Needless to say, the veteran parents - okay all of the parents - turned to me, looked at their kids, and then said, "Seriously, do you think they need a break?"
Well played, parents...
They then started throwing out all the reasons they wanted the boys to play. Momentum, staying active and engaged in the game, getting live game time experience with special situations and different styles of play and coaching. So yeah they won. Which is good. I don't like off weekends. I get bored and then spend all weekend surfing the web looking at new gadgets and stuff that I really have no need to be looking at (or buying). I'd much rather be on a sideline somewhere. Besides, with some of the stuff that may be coming down the pike, I need every last opportunity I can to get better. Whether it's better with X's and O's, relating to my team, or even little details of the rules, I stand the chance to learn every time we play.
Maybe need to reevaluate my rule on parents.
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Monday, May 20, 2013
Star Power
With the recent commotion regarding the Zen Master's (Phil Jackson for those that don't know) comments on Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) discussion has once again heated up. I typically stay out of such conversations because I feel like you can't compare across generations easily, and no one ever categorizes what is a requirement for being considered the GOAT. In essence, I could say Yao Ming was the greatest of all time, or Derek Fisher - just because it's currently, in most circles, an opinion based topic that requires zero substantial statistical backup.
In one recent discussion I was drawn in by some comments aimed at a friend and his stance on the subject. He came right out and said Jordan was a better player than Kobe, but he felt that Kobe was the GOAT because through all his accomplishments, he's still working hard while living in the shadow of His Airness and having done more than most in that discussion for a lot longer. Someone then said a few other names who could be thrown in there based on some other comments, and he went to say that he should be able to consider Tim Duncan in the conversation. I strongly disagree. While Duncan is a very fundamentally sound player with a great all star resume and a shoe-in Hall of Famer, he's been surrounded by a fairly decent cast through his career to help him achieve his best games. To be among the GOAT's (in my OPINION), you have to have that star power that consistently forces teams to gameplan around you. Kobe, LeBron, Rondo, Jordan, Westbrook - fit that in my opinion. How often do you see teams play those guys straight up without demanding the help-side to attack them? Duncan can be handled one on one. Duncan is not a necessity for his team to win consistently (granted, they have a really good coach in San Antonio, which may hurt him in this particular argument).
As crazy as it may sound, you even have those guys at my level. I have seen teams play like they have two different identities due to "that guy". In the past I would have denied this to a fault. "I believe in my guys, and as long as any 5 show up, we're going to battle." While that's partially true, I realize I may have been a little naive. I think I do a decent job of getting the guys to give it their all game in and game out, personnel plays a huge factor. I have that guy with the "star power" factor I mentioned above (I am not putting him in the GOAT conversation just yet mind you), and I've seen my team changed so drastically when he happens to miss a game. I coach the game the same way. I call the same plays. We just don't have that same edge, intensity, or fire like we do when he's there. He sets the tone on defense, and we find our way into more turnover and tough contested shots. His offensive ability to penetrate attracts the defense and he's got the willingness to make that extra pass to an open teammate. He is a game changer. His presence alone seems to give the team that little bit of cocky you need to compete. I see it on other teams in our program as well. When they have that guy, the teams look to be on a completely different level. Teams searching for that guy may play well, but struggle (I've coached a few of those).
Don't take any part of this post the wrong way. I'm talking about guys in high school and lower that may not see a minute of professional basketball or even Division I college ball. And I will not say that star power is the only factor to consider in the GOAT argument. One thing I can say with certainty is every coach knows what I'm talking about. And the beauty of it is that "stars" are born every day. I wouldn't be surprised that because of being around a guy with star power and a little leadership, that a new star emerges. And in the case of star power, I'd have to give Kobe and Jordan a tie - but only in that case.
In one recent discussion I was drawn in by some comments aimed at a friend and his stance on the subject. He came right out and said Jordan was a better player than Kobe, but he felt that Kobe was the GOAT because through all his accomplishments, he's still working hard while living in the shadow of His Airness and having done more than most in that discussion for a lot longer. Someone then said a few other names who could be thrown in there based on some other comments, and he went to say that he should be able to consider Tim Duncan in the conversation. I strongly disagree. While Duncan is a very fundamentally sound player with a great all star resume and a shoe-in Hall of Famer, he's been surrounded by a fairly decent cast through his career to help him achieve his best games. To be among the GOAT's (in my OPINION), you have to have that star power that consistently forces teams to gameplan around you. Kobe, LeBron, Rondo, Jordan, Westbrook - fit that in my opinion. How often do you see teams play those guys straight up without demanding the help-side to attack them? Duncan can be handled one on one. Duncan is not a necessity for his team to win consistently (granted, they have a really good coach in San Antonio, which may hurt him in this particular argument).
As crazy as it may sound, you even have those guys at my level. I have seen teams play like they have two different identities due to "that guy". In the past I would have denied this to a fault. "I believe in my guys, and as long as any 5 show up, we're going to battle." While that's partially true, I realize I may have been a little naive. I think I do a decent job of getting the guys to give it their all game in and game out, personnel plays a huge factor. I have that guy with the "star power" factor I mentioned above (I am not putting him in the GOAT conversation just yet mind you), and I've seen my team changed so drastically when he happens to miss a game. I coach the game the same way. I call the same plays. We just don't have that same edge, intensity, or fire like we do when he's there. He sets the tone on defense, and we find our way into more turnover and tough contested shots. His offensive ability to penetrate attracts the defense and he's got the willingness to make that extra pass to an open teammate. He is a game changer. His presence alone seems to give the team that little bit of cocky you need to compete. I see it on other teams in our program as well. When they have that guy, the teams look to be on a completely different level. Teams searching for that guy may play well, but struggle (I've coached a few of those).
Don't take any part of this post the wrong way. I'm talking about guys in high school and lower that may not see a minute of professional basketball or even Division I college ball. And I will not say that star power is the only factor to consider in the GOAT argument. One thing I can say with certainty is every coach knows what I'm talking about. And the beauty of it is that "stars" are born every day. I wouldn't be surprised that because of being around a guy with star power and a little leadership, that a new star emerges. And in the case of star power, I'd have to give Kobe and Jordan a tie - but only in that case.
Monday, May 13, 2013
Rocky Road
So things in my life didn't level off like I thought they would.
It didn't level off for the team either.
It's been nothing short of your cliche "peaks and valleys" model. We had a great couple of weekends of basketball, and then a total breakdown.
Times like these test your mettle, and they let you know more about who you are, providing that crucial understanding of who you are and what your identity is. Some people fold, some people rise to the challenge, some people may even go as far as "evolving" into a completely different self altogether. While I'm not sure which of these the team and I fall into yet, I will say that having my birthday roll through this turbulent period prompted me to do a quick reflection on things.
For those that don't already know, my disdain for having my name shortened comes out of respect for my father and all the things he's done for me. While I'm not saying I was a terror child, I will admit dealing with me was not a simple task. I'm sure he had moments where he couldn't be prouder of me and then I'd do something absolutely stupid and ridiculous that would probably have him asking if he'd been getting through to me or talking to a wall. Through all of those less graceful moments, he always remained positive, inspiring, and never gave up on me. I only have to deal with my team for, at most, 16 hours a week. My dad put up with me for a lot longer.
One thing I always remember was that when I "slipped" he would always be there to explain what I did wrong and how much it disappointed him because he knew I was capable of so much more. While it may not solve the issues at work or in the other areas of my personal life, it perfectly fits into the struggles we are having on the team. Hopefully all the talks will pay off and we'll get back to playing with passion and intensity. Time will tell, but if it worked for me, I'm sure I can find some success applying it to the team.
It didn't level off for the team either.
It's been nothing short of your cliche "peaks and valleys" model. We had a great couple of weekends of basketball, and then a total breakdown.
Times like these test your mettle, and they let you know more about who you are, providing that crucial understanding of who you are and what your identity is. Some people fold, some people rise to the challenge, some people may even go as far as "evolving" into a completely different self altogether. While I'm not sure which of these the team and I fall into yet, I will say that having my birthday roll through this turbulent period prompted me to do a quick reflection on things.
For those that don't already know, my disdain for having my name shortened comes out of respect for my father and all the things he's done for me. While I'm not saying I was a terror child, I will admit dealing with me was not a simple task. I'm sure he had moments where he couldn't be prouder of me and then I'd do something absolutely stupid and ridiculous that would probably have him asking if he'd been getting through to me or talking to a wall. Through all of those less graceful moments, he always remained positive, inspiring, and never gave up on me. I only have to deal with my team for, at most, 16 hours a week. My dad put up with me for a lot longer.
One thing I always remember was that when I "slipped" he would always be there to explain what I did wrong and how much it disappointed him because he knew I was capable of so much more. While it may not solve the issues at work or in the other areas of my personal life, it perfectly fits into the struggles we are having on the team. Hopefully all the talks will pay off and we'll get back to playing with passion and intensity. Time will tell, but if it worked for me, I'm sure I can find some success applying it to the team.
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