But the final 3 minutes were a capsule of our entire season: we didn't finish. Turnovers. Rushing instead of slowing the tempo and breaking down their defense while we were up 5 with a couple of minutes left. These are the type of mistakes that cost us all our close losses this season. We play well enough to win against the top teams on Oahu for most of the way, but little things, little mistakes hindered us. Aside from W's and L's, I consider this a successful season for all of us. Not trying to sugarcoat things; you know I ain't like that. But I'm not going to let the mistakes of a young team overshadow all the great, GREAT things you did on the court.
I wish we had more time together to work out these kinks, because we had the big boulders, the foundation to build on. We just needed to fill in those gaps with smaller rocks, to fine-tune our team.
In the end, players WIN games and coaches LOSE games.
So, it's glass half-full or half-empty depending on your view. We were right there with the best teams — Southside (combined with the Aliis), Sharks and Kapolei. A few improvements and we'd win all of those games. But those kinds of mistakes are almost necessary for each of us, including ME, to take the next step and raise our level of play, of coaching. I'm going to remind all of you that we were probably the youngest team in the 15-under besides KBB. Not an excuse, but just a recognition that we went far with a young team, and the mistakes are completely correctible. You will all benefit in the future from your experience as a Thunder player in the CAL League this fall. I know I've learned a lot, and I've been coaching since 1981.
What we did today with our modified 2-2-1 halfcourt press was just a small sample of what I believe in: Uptempo, aggressive, smart basketball. The game was designed to be fast. The best teams are the ones who are quick, but never rush. When we get to that point, I'll be much more satisfied. Until then, there's a lot of work to do. I'm content knowing we're going in that direction.
That's why I hope all of us keep working DAILY on our game, our conditioning, our skills, as tryouts near. Whatever it is you do, do it well and with your full commitment, all of your heart. If you wait too long to give yourself the best opportunity to succeed, you will regret it. If you dive in with both feet, you'll win no matter what. You owe that to yourself, and I see nothing but winners on this Thunder squad.
The guys who may have stopped showing up for whatever reason, that's up to them. But we know what commitment is, and those of us who are dedicated will reap those rewards.
You love the game or you don't. If you have a big heart, it will show. If you don't, it's not the end of the world. There are other dreams and aspirations for you, no doubt.
For now, though, I'm proud of every one of you guys. For a group of players who just met each other (some of you) and practiced just twice a week, you went pretty far against some of Oahu's TOP talent in 15-under. When we get together for leagues in the spring, starting in late February/early March, I expect you all to be in top shape physically, mentally and, most of all, in your heart.
As for next spring, we'll play in at least one league. I expected that to be CAL League, which is planning to expand to West and East Divisions of 16 teams or more. However, Greydon has informed me that they'll hold off until May, so I'll be on the hunt for another league or two, maybe the KPT league. That one is open to varsity-level teams, so it's a great opportunity for us to grow and compete with higher-quality teams and players. I think by then we could be ready, depending on how much we are all willing to put in the effort. Do we have the heart to compete at that level? Will we play real Thunder basketball, running the floor 100% of the time, playing crazy good defense on all 94 feet of the floor?
If the answers are yes and yes, then I'm all in for at least one league in March.
Until then, we'll have informal shootarounds to help with your skills in the next few weeks before tryouts. Those of you guys who have plenty of workouts already, I expect great things from you this coming winter season. The rest of you guys who need a time and place to work on your game, I'll be there. Josh and I will be hitting 24-Hour Fitness as often as possible for indoor basketball work (Kapiolani location has a small full court) and some 5-on-5 in the evenings.
Other than that, we'll be at Kahala Park with the rest of you guys on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
This week's schedule
Until then, we'll have informal shootarounds to help with your skills in the next few weeks before tryouts. Those of you guys who have plenty of workouts already, I expect great things from you this coming winter season. The rest of you guys who need a time and place to work on your game, I'll be there. Josh and I will be hitting 24-Hour Fitness as often as possible for indoor basketball work (Kapiolani location has a small full court) and some 5-on-5 in the evenings.
Other than that, we'll be at Kahala Park with the rest of you guys on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
This week's schedule
(11:57 p.m. Just got my work schedule. I'm covering volleyball playoffs on Tuesday and Thursday, so Josh and I might hit Kahala Park on Wednesday instead. Anybody want to go? Let me know.)
• Saturday, 9-10 a.m., 24-Hour Fitness Kapiolani. Josh and I will be there for an hour before he goes to band rehearsal.
• Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to noon, Kahala Park. We had a solid workout (Tai, Mike, Shiraz) last Saturday. More of the same work on ballhandling, footwork and shooting this Saturday. Head-to-head battles while working on all of these aspects are great, especially when fatigue and heat hit us. I'll have plenty of water and Gatorade for everyone.
No comments:
Post a Comment