To make a deep playoff run, it’s widely accepted that you must have an outstanding point guard. But what makes an outstanding point guard?  Mike Procopio of The Hoop Consultants recently wrote an article entitled How to Build a Point Guard that offers some insightful answers to that question.

Everyone has different ideas on how to develop a player. Every coach that works with players have their own philosophy when building strategies to get their players better. I’ve been blessed with being around a lot of great teachers and evaluators of the game.

I think coaches who are getting into the field of developing players should understand how to evaluate a player’s talent. Being a scout in the NBA for 4 years as well as consulting many scouts and front office people for over ten years has really helped me when it comes to working with players. It helps me analyze player’s strengths and weaknesses as well as understanding what type of player they will be.

Every position has different types of player in it. Because of different sizes, athletic ability, length, basketball IQ, etc. players have to be put in different categories. Having worked with some very smart basketball people early in my career really helped not only my ability to make players better, but understand the evaluation process very well.

The point guard is the centerpiece to any team. Some say a point
guard is born and not made which is true to a certain extent. Some coaches
don’t have the benefit of having great guards every year and need to develop
their point guards just the same. I think it’s important for a coach and the
player to understand the traits that make a serviceable and stable point guard.
All coaches have different ideas of what they think make up a great point guard.

Here are mine:

This is how I see the point guard position and the traits needed
to be great in it. You may say that there are other traits that make up a great
point guard and you may be right. As I’ve stated many times in blogs this is
why basketball is such a great sport because people see the game differently
and that’s great for the sport. A point guard to me is so important, because
that is the player on the floor that get everything organized. Sure you may
have a great shooter or dominant big man on your team, but without a point
guard to find a way to get them the ball those players in spots where they will
be successful.

1. Be a Leader No doubt the most important trait of a point guard. A leader isn’t someone who bosses players around. It means they are the one that organizes the offense and makes sure everyone is on the same page as far as the offense and defense is concerned. They should take the brunt of the heat when the team doesn’t convert so they make sure everyone is on the same page. They should be the voice in the player huddle.

2. Play with two speeds
A high level point guard knows how to change speeds. Guards who play full speed all the time can be effective in transition, but in the half court find themselves easier to guard if they are going at one speed at all times. Playing with two speeds enables a point guard to set their defender up at a slower speed and then when making a move change speeds to penetrate the teeth of the defense. Even if a guard isn’t very quick they still can get in the lane and be a penetrator. It’s all about setting up their defender and playing with two speeds

3. Give the ball to teammates where they will be successful. I don’t really like the phrase a point guard makes players better. They don’t put the ball in the basket more for teammates or make them more athletic. No, a point guard understands where and when. Where on the floor to throw the ball to a player and when in the game to do so. A great point guard wont give the ball to an energetic center with little skill in transition 20 feet on the run. They know that a player like that should only get it on drop offs or hard rolls to the basket. A good point guard understands their teams strengths and weaknesses better than anyone else. They wont call an isolation and give it to a one trick pony spot up shooter against the other team’s top defender, they know that they’ll have to penetrate and kick to them or run that player off screens. Those are a couple of examples of this remember a great point guard knows where and when.

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When two members of the girl’s basketball team at Judge Memorial High School in Salt Lake City were caught drinking alcohol in their hotel room while at a tournament recently, they were sent home immediately. However, when it was discovered that a dozen other members of the program were aware of the situation but did nothing about it, they were each suspended for two games.

“A couple of girls made a mistake,” Judge athletic director Dan Quinn told reporter Amy Donaldson of the Deseret News. “And other kids either found out, knew about it or watched it happen and they didn’t do anything, so they’re being held accountable as well. … These are high school kids and we need to take the opportunity to teach, even the good kids, even the kids who wouldn’t think of drinking, about peer pressure.

The reason I am posting this is not to let you know what happened but to get your opinion. Should team members have the responsibility to watch out after each other and inform coaches of any poor decisions? Should a player’s “loyalty” be his coaches or to his teammates?

Readers of this blog include thousands of coaches, players, and parents and I’m really hoping to hear from many of you. I’ll share the overall findings, as well as my own personal opinion, in a future post.

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Here are some more very useful coaching coaching nuggets that I received from Alan Stein, Assistant Basketball Coach at legendary Dematha High School.

1. Players must be aware of how careless fouls hurt their team.
2. Coaches who play pressing defenses successfully, teach recovery. Anybody can double-team.
3. Take as many situations as possible out of thought processes & turn them into quick reactions requiring no thought.
4. Tell them what you want done, not what you don’t want done.
5. Every day you teach attitude.
6. Surround yourself with the best assistant coaches possible.
7. When you surround yourself with good assistants, know when to get out of the way.
8. Losing teams are more vulnerable to criticism. Screaming at them may be harmful. They need positive coaching.
9. The key to team chemistry is clearly defining roles and expectations for each team member.
10. To emphasize rebounding, award 4 points for an offensive rebound in scrimmages.
11. Don’t give instructions that CAN be understood. Give instructions that CAN’T be misunderstood. -Rick Torbett

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Here are the 17 essential qualities possessed by every team player according to author and leadership expert (and former high school basketball star) John Maxwell:

1.  Adaptable: If you won’t change for the team, the Team may change you.

2.  Collaborative: Working together precedes winning together.

3.  Committed: There are no halfhearted champions.

4.  Communicative: A TEAM is a single heart with many voices.

5.  Competent: If you can’t, your team won’t.

6.  Dependable: Teams go to go-to players.

7.  Disciplined: Where there’s a will, there’s a win.

8.  Enlarging: Adding value to teammates is invaluable.

9.  Enthusiastic: Your heart is the source of energy for the team.

10. Intentional: Make every action count

11. Mission conscious: The (big) picture is coming in loud and clear.

12. Prepared: Preparation can be the difference between winning and losing.

13. Relational: If you get along, others will go along.

14. Self-improving: To improve the team, improve yourself.

15. Selfless: There is no I an team.

16. Solution-oriented: Make a resolution to find the solution.

17. Tenacious: Never, never, never quit.

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As most teams wind up their regular seasons and prepare for the playoffs, the importance of having a strong and productive bench becomes more important than ever. Here are some tips for getting the most out of your bench from Coach Kevin Reilly:

1. Try to get substitutes in end of first quarter and during second quarter
2. Establish roles for your players (i.e. defense, passing, three point shooting.)
3. Reward players for their efforts in practice with more playing time.
4. Getting players in the game early gives them confidence if they are needed later.
5. Getting players in early gives you one less thing to think about down the stretch of a close game.
6. Match up your substitutions with your opponent’s substitutions.
7. Establish positive relationships between first stringers and reserves.
8. Work with second team in practice.
9. Get kids ready to play.
10. Use different combinations and different starting lineups.
11. Take kids out of a game on a good note, if possible
12. Don’t yank kids out of a game after a bad pass, missed layup, etc., if possible.
13. Make all kids feel involved in the game and practice.
14. Give kids opportunities to see for themselves why they are not getting more time or playing with the first unit.
15. Talk and explain substitution process when possible.

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According to longtime NBA coach Del Harris, there are 5 levels of communication that  coaches use with their players. As coaches go down the list they should use each level less than the one before it.

1. Conversational: You have the give and take whereby you get to know the player and he/she learns you as well. You demonstrate you care. Use this the most.
2. Encouragement: Voice is animated and enthusiastic. Use it as much as you can, but it has to be a result of real achievement, not just blowing smoke. But the worst person to be with is the one you simply cannot please. Be real.
3. Instructional: Voice is slightly animated as you attempt to pass on teaching points that may help your player get better, or that may help him understand the team concept. Use often, but mostly in practice or in certain one on one situations.
4. Correctional: Voice increases somewhat in urgency, but this is not to be confused with screaming. Naturally, this is used on important issues in practices and games to help eliminate errors. Use it as needed, but if it overwhelms the encouragement level, the team will tune you out sooner than later.
5. Go Nuts: Yes, there is a place for letting them know that they have crossed the line in terms of lack of effort or execution or attitude, etc. They must know you really care about certain issues. But, of course you must maintain control here, as it should be a purposeful act. Overdo this level and you will lose your team by Christmas unless you are winning every game.

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1. Turn the corner when the screener’s defender backs off and doesn’t hedge.  Should drive low and tight and get into the paint.
2. Hesitate and go when the screener’s defender executes a soft hedge before returning to his own man. At the level of the screen, hesitate slightly while keeping both eyes on the rim. The key is to make the hedge man relax and then drive by him.
3. Split the hedge which may be the most under-utilized part of offensive ball screening. After clearing the screen low and tight, explode right between the hedge and the on ball defender. Keep the dribble below the knees since you will be in traffic.
4. Fake the split then inside/out dribble to the paint.
5. Reject the screen. Fake into the screen and explode the opposite way
6. Stop and shoot behind when the on ball defender goes behind the screen. Shot must come from directly behind the screen.
7. Re-screen when screener’s defender shows a big, flat hedge. Drive over the screen, then crossover and use the screen again. Screener turns to the inside on second screen getting you even closer to the basket.

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Here are some great words of wisdom from Pat Riley that are found in the book: The Lives of Riley written by Mark Hessler.

You must tell people what their hard work is one day going to get them.

You just can’t institute a work ethic, essentially tell people they’re going to work harder than they’ve ever had in the past, tell them that there is going to be change and they are going to have to adapt to it whether they want to or not, and not tell them there will be a reward.

This is not the Age of the Pharaohs, where people are going to push rocks day after day in the noon time sun just because the king tells them to. People are not going to give you blind obedience.

They are not going to do what you want them to do just because you say they’re going to. They are not going to blindly follow you simply because you’re their leader.

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Last week I posted an entry called “Whipped Cream or Crap” that discussed some of the wisdom of super successful Coach Tom Martinez, who I first met over 25 years ago.  Yesterday Coach Martinez died. The following is a copy of the post written by Maggie Hendricks on Yahoo’s Shutdown Corner blog:

Tom Martinez, the coach who mentored New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, died Tuesday after suffering a heart attack during dialysis. The man known as “The Quarterback Whisperer” was in need of a kidney transplant due to diabetes complications.

Martinez first came into Brady’s life when the future MVP was just 13. He signed up for a quarterback clinic and then worked with Martinez for the rest of his career. Brady said he would never be the quarterback he is today without Martinez’s help.

“He’s a great friend of mine for a very long time and taught me how to throw a football at a very young age,” Brady told ABC News in January. “He’s been looking for a kidney for quite a while.”

Brady used his platform in the Super Bowl to encourage organ donation.

People from around the NFL immediately reacted to Martinez’s passing. Brady’s teammate, Julian Edelman, tweeted, “RIP coach Tom Martinez. He was such a great mentor to many in the bay area. His legacy will always live on.” Brady’s father told CSN New England, “There are a lot of sad people in San Mateo County tonight.”

Martinez’s impact was felt beyond football. He coached football, women’s basketball and softball at the College of San Mateo, where he won a combined 1,100 games. He was 66 years old.

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Coach Tom Martinez is an extremely fascinating and successful coach. Not only did he become Tom Brady’s personal quarterback coach when Brady was 13 years old and continues to work with him several times a year, but Martinez also coached the football, women’s basketball, and women’s softball teams at San Mateo College in San Mateo, California all at the same time for well over 20 years. Not only did his teams compete but they won several championships each.

Coach Martinez had a simple philosophy for dealing with so many different attitudes, work ethics, and personalities. He felt that everyone’s life is simply a big bowl full of crap and whipped cream. If a player’s bowl was full of mostly crap then Coach Martinez stirred in an extra dose of whipped cream. However, if a player’s bowl was just about full of whipped cream then Martinez felt obligated to add a little crap.

Is your team struggling either individually or collectively? Than maybe they need a little more whipped cream! Are the guys starting to think they are something special and maybe crossing the line from confidence to cockiness? Maybe they need a little more crap!

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