Character test: Thunder pass with A+

They gave us a bonus game, which it turned out to be more of a constructive learning experience. Good comeback, Thunder, down 16 to take the lead with 1 minute left. Losing at the end without getting a good shot — learn from it. Learn from everything today.

Fundamentals matter, and if you bring your game along with that, everybody gets better as a team. I can only wonder how good we would've been with more practices as a team. For now, shooting/ballhandling workouts Mon-Wed. Same place, same time: Makiki Park, 4:00 p.m.

As for all the extracurricular activities during the game, the league director, Stephen Chong, spoke with the Owls' coach about what happened only after the game — when one of their players dropped an F-bomb on me during the handshakes. He said that if that player causes any more problems in the future, he'll be banned from the league. The Owls' coach, Brad Swanson, sent me an e-mail later and asked if I could confirm which of their players cussed at me. I think the coach is genuine, but I also don't care about that anymore. The time to correct that was right there on the spot, not the next day or week. That's the reality about discipline in the real world. Anybody who cusses or does worse, then walks away before anything else can be said ... that's how a lot of people are today. It's cowardly, but that's today's world. A lot of people run and hide.

I like people who are willing to face each other man to man and resolve a situation immediately. That's how problems get solved.

All the stuff that they did during the game — one guy trying to punch John (I learned after the game and reported it to the league for future reference), another guy constantly grabbing our guys' shirts — the league has nothing to say about that. 

I have something to say. I think we showed great character in playing the game and not getting caught up in the immaturity of other teams. It would've been so easy to stoop down to their level and get involved in something useless and stupid like a brawl. Instead, we played our game best we could and almost pulled out the win. 

Don't you guys realize that the reason why people will cheat and try dirty tricks is because they really don't believe in themselves and their teams? You know and I know that we can beat ANY TEAM in 17U. The only exception I'll make is Lanakila, and even they are beatable if we play well and they struggle. It's happened before; we were down 17 to them, rallied to tie it in the last 7 seconds, and they hit a halfcourt shot to beat us. In Palolo Gym. This time, you have to realize that these kids from MPI are short on confidence and they knew we would eventually make a run. That, we did, and I'm proud of the way everyone stuck together despite the circumstances. 

Today summed up our offseason in a nutshell. We showed a lot of hustle, worked together sometimes, and at other times, our lack of team practices — I'm talking about at least 10 players at our workouts — showed when we needed to make crisp passes and threw it away. It showed when we missed free throws, let their dribblers go right through the middle as we gambled on steals instead of playing team defense, riding the ballhandler right into a trap. 

I ask so much from you guys because I KNOW FOR A FACT you can play basketball at the highest level in 17U, but this happens only with diligence, dedication and unity. For today, I saw glimmers of all these, and most of all, I saw GREAT CHARACTER. I know the Lord has blessed each of us with a unique love for the game of basketball. He has also blessed me with the time and energy to spend with each of you at all these games and practices since March. It's been total fun and I wouldn't trade a single day, not a single minute or second for anything else.

The guys with the most love for the game show up every day, or close to it, and I can't ask for more than that. 

Time is short on this earth, and I know deep down that if I can spend all my free time helping you get better at the game through constant work, daily repetition and encouragement, my time will have been well spent. It's that simple!

Each of you guys, stay focused on the priorities of life and do NOT allow anything else to deter you. It's your choice to give up time and energy to improve, to push yourself, to help your schools become better in every way. It's a new opportunity every day. You're blessed. Go make the most of it and the fun will follow. 

It's official: Game 1 pm Sunday, Palolo

Got the word from NJB All-Net. We play 1 p.m., Sunday at Palolo Gym. Be there by noon for warmpus and possible early game start.

Saturday shooting practice 1 p.m., Makiki Park.

I lub this game!

Possible is now probable

Got an e-mail from NJB asking if we can play on Sunday at noon or 1:00 p.m. I'm not saying we're guaranteed to play, but chances are good we'll be a fill-in team for somebody.

Until then, no practices until Saturday's 1:00 at Makiki Park. We'll keep working on shooting and ballhandling, and if we have enough, a scrimmage. Doesn't matter if we have any games left or not, we'll keep working every day and getting better every day. There's no other way to get better except by sweat equity.

I lub this game.

Three days, two wins

Thunder 3-pointers have shredded this net at Makiki Park

Up and down, down and up, that's how basketball goes with a young team. I hope you guys had fun in our final two games of the NJB All-Net 17U league. The league informed me earlier (Monday) that we're pau for the season. HOWEVER . . . they may ask us to fill in for another team this weekend. Something about one team having a conflict with the game time. I think it's a remote chance we play, but if we do, the league will let us know and we get to have fun one more time.

I wasn't there on Friday, but Coach John and Coach Larry did a great job with you. Strong second half, torrent of 3s and a Thunder record of 51 points after halftime. That beat the 17U record of 44 in a half, and the 15U record remains 43. I mentioned the other day on Facebook that I would've liked a quicker tempo, but overall it was a good effort.

Our game on Sunday wasn't as high-scoring. KAC has a lot of solid players who play for ‘Iolani, but our defense was still the key factor, just smothering people from end to end all game long. I love that. We can control our hustle and defensive tenacity. We can control the tempo (7 Seconds or Less). Offense comes and goes, so I don't mind missed open shots. But I love the hustle and smart play on defense.

Good workout this afternoon (Monday) with Chase, John, Max and Cody. We got three rounds of 3-point drills (timed) done, then some ballhandling work. It was good stuff for everyone. Chase's form is improving. John's also working his form and release point. Max is rusty now that football is over, but by the end of the day, his stroke was back. Cody was tops today with the most 3s even though he wasn't there for the first three stations.

More Thunder target practice on Tuesday, 4:00 p.m. See you there!

I lub this game.

Go get 'em Thunderrr!

Thunder - have fun ballin tonight. Coach John will have the jerseys and basketballs. You provide the Thunder!

Practice Wed, game Friday

We have practice this afternoon, 4:00 p.m. (Wed) and a game Friday, 7:00 p.m. (Kilauea Gym).

No practice on Thursday because I have to work.

We also have a game on Sunday IF we win on Friday. The Sunday game is 3:00 p.m. at Kaimuki Park Gym.

We did a lot of triple-threat footwork against man-to-man defense on Monday. One of our common habits is the tendency to loop around a defender rather than simply jab and go. Sometimes it's a fear of contact. Other times, it's just plain bad habit. Either way, it is not efficient. Always best to take the angle and explode through it, get from Point A (you) to Point B (the basket) in the most effective manner.

Also did a lot of pressbreaker work, learning to move without the ball to get open. Not a lot of teams will press us, and when they do, we are capable of scoring a lot of points easily. But it takes work and unity. Everyone's got to work together and move without the ball when we are covered. It's simple stuff, but only if we practice it together like we did on Monday.

See you guys this afternoon. I lub this game!

Here's zone offense by a Russian pro team.

Shooting practice today (Sat) 1 pm

I'll be at Makiki Park for everybody who wants to do shooting drills. The record in our 3-point drill for most 3-pointers in one spot (30 seconds) still belongs to Cody (9-for-11).

Game tomorrow (17U) at Palolo Gym, 2 p.m., be there by 1.

I lub this game.

Final 2 games

The offseason is almost done. Our CAL League is pau, to my surprise, but we had nine games so that was the full schedule. Would've been nice to beat Kalihi (I think they finished first), but we got our first and second wins over the Sharks, so we had some good wins.

NJB All-Net 17U finishes this weekend with two games. Coach Larry and Coach John will be there to guide us on Friday. Then we finish on Sunday.

17U
Fri Oct 14, 7:00 p.m., Kaimuki Rec Gym
Sat Oct 15 1:00 pm, shooting practice, Makiki Park
Sun Oct 16, 2:00 p.m., Palolo Gym
* Be at the games 1 hour early for warmups and possible early start (NJB).

After this weekend, we can keep working out if you guys want right up until varsity and JV tryouts start. I'll be there at the park daily at 4:00 p.m.

I lub this game.

Wednesday: no practice

For the guys who weren't at practice Monday or Tuesday and don't know, there's no practice today (Wednesday). I have a work assignment in Mililani to cover volleyball at 5 p.m., so I'll be on the road by 3 p.m.

Practice on Thursday is on. See you at 4 p.m.

I lub this game!

Flat back & Scisscor dribble attacks

JJ has this technique down to a science.

Sharpen your tools daily

Isn't that what we all want? Sharp tools to get the work done with high efficiency and maximum FUN. Just to remind everyone, including some of us who may be confused, the practice schedule is the same as it has been since the start of summer:

Every day, 4:00 p.m., Makiki Park, Monday through Thursday. There are exceptions with Saturday shooting practice and occasional Sunday afternoons, but there is no stopping us from working on our game Monday through Thursday consistently.

Sometimes the work produces instant results. Sometimes, it doesn't happen immediately. Ultimately, there is no substitute for repetition of fundamentals. We do a lot of fundamental work, particularly with shooting, and some old habits are sometimes very hard to break. But we keep working, keep tweaking and keep drilling. I love the sound a basketball that hits nothing but net. That hasn't changed since I started playing almost four decades ago.

Beyond everyday drills, there's always more. As a shooter, you should always be ready to do the deed. Launch. All net. It's more than a refined skill. It's a MENTALITY. If you aren't consistently prepared to catch and shoot and make 3-point shots all day and night, you won't be a true shooter no matter how much you practice. It's about having that consistent, opportunistic attitude. If you lack that desire to shoot the ball, you will blend in with the rest of the contented, average players and teams.

To be a true player, you have to want success. You have to want the chance to knock down every 3-pointer available. Hesitation is not the way. So work on the mentality as often as you work on your skills. It's OK to beat another team by as many points as possible. You can let your skills show in a game while still demonstrating good sportsmanship. You can be friends after the game. Until then, attack. Be smart.

He who hesitates ... loses.

Reminder: Sat afternoon game is at Palama

1 pm warmups, 2 pm (or earlier) game, Palama Settlement Gym.

Weekend schedule (updated Thur 9 pm)

OK, here's the weekend schedule with one puka for the 15U site, but I should hear from the CAL director soon on that. We have three games this weekend, including two on Saturday. No games Sunday. 

Thunder 17U

Fri Oct 7, 8:00 pm, Kilauea Gym. Be there by 7:00 for warmups and possible early start. 

Sat Oct 8, 2:00 p.m., Palama Gym. Be there by 1:00 for warmups and possible early start.

Fri Oct 14, 7:00 p.m., Kaimuki Rec Gym

Sun Oct 16, 2:00 p.m., Palolo Gym

Thunder 15U 

Saturday, Oct. 8, 11:00 am, Kilauea Gym (confirmed!). Be there by 10:00 am for warmups.