Though we're out of shape and not playing exactly at the tempo I like, it was still a good team win. We got timely shooting from 3-land from Bryson and Mick, and the press was effective enough to get us some easy shots. Chase got hot from deep later in the second half — set shots rule!
It's not obvious, but having Isaiah back at the point is so valuable. It's the difference between struggling to bring the ball upcourt and scoring easily on Princeton backdoor buckets. Isaiah doesn't have to score 30 points to be a major factor. Those of us who endured the recent 17U blowout losses — you know what I'm talking about.
Defense? Talking to each other, keeping track of the offense's key shooters and rebounders, moving into position early, all those things matter to winning teams. Hustle, positioning, taking the right angles on traps and steals — those matter hugely on the presses. Scoring matters. But if you wonder why some guys stay on the floor a little longer, think about defense and hustle plays. Those never get old, and they make the difference in all close games.
It's roughly 45 days until the high school season begins, so each of you know what needs to be done. What needs to be worked on. Everybody should have a pull-up jumper (with extension vertically). That is a must in any player's arsenal unless he or she wants to collect offensive fouls and ride the bench. Everybody should have a sound battle plan when receiving an entry pass in the low post or high post. For some of us, that means pivoting first without dribbling, reading the defender.
Everybody should be working on perimeter shooting. Mid-range. 3-point range. In the 45 days coming up, it takes only 30 minutes to get 200 shots in at GAME SPEED. (Shooting in slow motion, walking after the rebound, wearing slippers instead of shoes — all that works against you so don't do it like that.) If you dedicate yourself to 30 minutes of shooting (not counting ballhandling, conditioning, pickup games, drills) every day, that's 9,000 shots by mid-November.
If you put in a full hour of game-speed shooting every day whether it's 60 minutes straight or increments of 20 minutes or whatever, then you have 18,000 shots. I'm all for seeing each of you guys becoming reliable, consistent and deadly shooters. Sound dribblers (arm bar, anyone?) Smart passers. (Use your fake, keep the ball over your head in traffic.)
Playing together as a team, running the break successfully, using the pass and dribble and press to inflict our tempo on other teams ... that takes time and practice together. If it happens, it happens. But be sure to make the most of these next 45 days to improve yourself. You'll be happier. Your team will be stoked. Your coach will trust you.
All for the love of the game.
Sunday, Sept. 30
11:00 pm 15U/13U warmups, Kilauea gym outside court
12:00 pm 15U vs. Blue Devils II, Kilauea gym (CAL)
12:50 pm 13U vs. Boom, Kilauea gym (CAL)
3:00 pm 17U warmups, Kaimuki Park gym
4:00 pm 17U vs. Storm, Kaimuki Park gym (NJB All-Net)
Note: The 13U game against Boom is a semifinal. If we win, we play in the championship game. Date and site to be determined.
Note: The 13U game against Boom is a semifinal. If we win, we play in the championship game. Date and site to be determined.
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