If you missed the message I sent on Facebook, our game (18U) is at Palolo Gym, 7 p.m. Tonight. Get there at 6:15 for registration and warmups. This is a COMBO team of our 17U and 15U. I'll bring the uniforms, as usual. We are scheduled to play Hawaiian Punch.
See you guys there!
Any questions, I'm at 551-1054. I'll be on my way back from Aiea before the game. I'm covering a football combine until about 5 p.m.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Friday's game: 7 or 8 p.m.
Got word from the league and we will play at either 7 or 8 p.m.
They had seven teams at one point, but two didn't come through with entry fee, and another team has dropped out. So they're down to four teams. The plan is to have a double round-robin. The good news is that with only two games on Fridays, the league can start at 7 p.m. and more players who are also in the high school summer league can make it to the games at Palolo.
I'll post more as I get the info.
They had seven teams at one point, but two didn't come through with entry fee, and another team has dropped out. So they're down to four teams. The plan is to have a double round-robin. The good news is that with only two games on Fridays, the league can start at 7 p.m. and more players who are also in the high school summer league can make it to the games at Palolo.
I'll post more as I get the info.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
I lub dis game!
Great afternoon of hoops: Watched the old Mavs dissect the Heat, then solid 90-minute shootaround with JJ, Cody and Tai at Makiki Park. This game been good to me over and over!
Power to the working men
Constructive words to a young athlete — The hungry player devours them like food and turns them into energy for one workout after another, day by day, all summer long. The overconfident, lazy player rebukes the words, turns sour and assumes he will make the team, be a starter and an all-star without making any extra effort.
The hungry player is welcomed by his coach, who always appreciates extra effort, hustle and offseason improvement. The lazy player is cut when his coach notices immediately that he has not improved, grown even lazier, and makes the same mental errors. Yet, the lazy player is shocked when he is cut. The hungry player is thankful to make the team. One was full of excuses. The other was driven by work ethic.
Power be to the workers.
Sunday shooting practice 5:00 p.m.
Sorry guys, I didn't know the NBA Finals were on TV at 2 p.m., so no sense having shooting practice if I'm the only one there!
Shooting practice today will be at 5 p.m. at Makiki Park.
Still waiting to hear what time Friday's game will begin.
Shooting practice today will be at 5 p.m. at Makiki Park.
Still waiting to hear what time Friday's game will begin.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Thunder shooting practice Sunday
Howzit everybody. We're set on a first game in the KKB League this coming Friday at Palolo Gym. Game time will be announced soon.
So we'll have shooting practice Sunday, 3 p.m., Makiki Park. The league is 18U, which allows recent graduates all the way down to freshmen. I know a lot of us are busy with summer league, but the games are 6 to 9 p.m. on Fridays, so that might work for your schedules. I just want to be sure we have at least 5 players.
The league will have six teams, five regular-season games and one playoff game. Short league that will end just when the CAL League (Fall) begins in early August.
See you guys at the park tomorrow!
So we'll have shooting practice Sunday, 3 p.m., Makiki Park. The league is 18U, which allows recent graduates all the way down to freshmen. I know a lot of us are busy with summer league, but the games are 6 to 9 p.m. on Fridays, so that might work for your schedules. I just want to be sure we have at least 5 players.
The league will have six teams, five regular-season games and one playoff game. Short league that will end just when the CAL League (Fall) begins in early August.
See you guys at the park tomorrow!
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Got heart?
Observations of an old fart.
Over the past three decades since I started coaching (and into a fourth decade counting my years as a player), I've seen a lot of hard-working players and a lot of lazy players. Human nature is a fascinating thing, and I've seen some players with limited athletic ability develop into GREAT players because of a humongous internal drive to succeed.
I've also seen physically gifted athletes grind down into mediocre players because they just didn't care. When I see a young player with great potential, it's painful to watch the lack of development due to lack of work ethic. Putting in little to no work on his own time is not enough at this level if a player wants to be consistent. If a player can't be consistent with his skills, no coach will play him. If he fails to work on his shooting, ballhanding and passing skills, he becomes stunted fundamentally.
If he doesn't study the game, watch more of it live or on TV, learn from the mistakes of other players, he becomes hindered intellectually.
If he doesn't play enough pickup basketball, he doesn't sharpen himself competitively.
It's all about work ethic. Either a player puts in the daily work or he/she doesn't. There are no short cuts; that's something I've always instilled in my players since I began coaching 30 years ago. It's what I learned as a player since I was 8. Times change, but persistence and determination still make all the difference. The gyms and parks are all there. Opportunity is available to improve.
The "pressure" of playing with a high school summer league team or outside league team is not really different. For a player who consistently works on his/her skills, the rim is still just 10 feet high, the balance of his/her feet is the same, the floor is still flat and the ball is still round. It's about repetition and confidence. Repetition BUILDS confidence. Not working on skills ERODES confidence. Simple as that, no matter how any player may ACT on the outside. Again, no short cuts.
I can't make anybody do anything. It's up to each individual player. How much heart is inside? We can make up for an off-shooting game by playing great defense, making precise passes and hustling for every loose ball. But in the end, a team is only as good as the consistency of its players. Consistency? Yup, that comes with solid work in the spring, summer and fall. Sometimes it's in a noisy gym. Often times, it's amidst the solitude of an empty outside court.
Ask any player: How many times have you gone to the park or gym to work — on your own time — on your skills in the past year? If the answer is less than 100 (out of 365 days), this is not a dedicated player. If it's less than 10, which is the case for some people, it's someone pretending to be a player.
No heart, no results. There's always hope for a change in attitude, of course. That's the beautiful thing about heart and work ethic. It's all a work in progress.
I've also seen physically gifted athletes grind down into mediocre players because they just didn't care. When I see a young player with great potential, it's painful to watch the lack of development due to lack of work ethic. Putting in little to no work on his own time is not enough at this level if a player wants to be consistent. If a player can't be consistent with his skills, no coach will play him. If he fails to work on his shooting, ballhanding and passing skills, he becomes stunted fundamentally.
If he doesn't study the game, watch more of it live or on TV, learn from the mistakes of other players, he becomes hindered intellectually.
If he doesn't play enough pickup basketball, he doesn't sharpen himself competitively.
It's all about work ethic. Either a player puts in the daily work or he/she doesn't. There are no short cuts; that's something I've always instilled in my players since I began coaching 30 years ago. It's what I learned as a player since I was 8. Times change, but persistence and determination still make all the difference. The gyms and parks are all there. Opportunity is available to improve.
The "pressure" of playing with a high school summer league team or outside league team is not really different. For a player who consistently works on his/her skills, the rim is still just 10 feet high, the balance of his/her feet is the same, the floor is still flat and the ball is still round. It's about repetition and confidence. Repetition BUILDS confidence. Not working on skills ERODES confidence. Simple as that, no matter how any player may ACT on the outside. Again, no short cuts.
I can't make anybody do anything. It's up to each individual player. How much heart is inside? We can make up for an off-shooting game by playing great defense, making precise passes and hustling for every loose ball. But in the end, a team is only as good as the consistency of its players. Consistency? Yup, that comes with solid work in the spring, summer and fall. Sometimes it's in a noisy gym. Often times, it's amidst the solitude of an empty outside court.
Ask any player: How many times have you gone to the park or gym to work — on your own time — on your skills in the past year? If the answer is less than 100 (out of 365 days), this is not a dedicated player. If it's less than 10, which is the case for some people, it's someone pretending to be a player.
No heart, no results. There's always hope for a change in attitude, of course. That's the beautiful thing about heart and work ethic. It's all a work in progress.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
New league: June 17
Wuzzup everybody! Hope you're enjoy the start of summer vacation. Take a look at these choices and let me know what you guys think. I'm OK with any combination as long as we're playing basketball!
• Kona Stingrays tournament (18U), first week of July. Need full commitment from at least 8 players this week. Cost is est. $350-400 each player/coach/parent for the four-day stay. Not cheap, but a memorable experience. Not all our 18U guys are available due to football, so I want to know if we'll be old enough for this tourney.
• NJB All-Net Tournament (15U), second week of July. This is a five-day tourney in Honolulu. Entry fee is $325, not cheap, but the games are official in length. It's a Wednesday-Sunday tournament.
• NEW: KKB's coach (Wayne) is putting together at 16U league beginningat the end of June. This would be a godsend since we had been hoping to play in CAL 16U, but that got pushed back to August. I'm hoping to get together as many of our recent 15U guys plus our 15U from last year. I was asked about the league today and I left a message with Coach Wayne today, hoping to hear from him soon. Sounds like we're in, though.
After this, the CAL league begins in early August, games on Sundays only. I actually would prefer two leagues in July. Things can get kind of slow with just one game, but it's better than none!
Feed me some comments or call me at 551-1054, let me know what's up.
UPDATE 5 p.m. I just got a call from Coach Wayne. He said his league will begin Friday, June 17, which is just 10 days from now. So get ready! I know most of you are playing summer league, so we'll probably practice this Sunday and the next Sunday, maybe on Wednesdays or whenever you guys don't have school practice/game.
Another thing he said was they had to allow older players, including this year's graduates, to play. That allowed them to have enough teams.
League in 10 days, let's get ready!
• Kona Stingrays tournament (18U), first week of July. Need full commitment from at least 8 players this week. Cost is est. $350-400 each player/coach/parent for the four-day stay. Not cheap, but a memorable experience. Not all our 18U guys are available due to football, so I want to know if we'll be old enough for this tourney.
• NJB All-Net Tournament (15U), second week of July. This is a five-day tourney in Honolulu. Entry fee is $325, not cheap, but the games are official in length. It's a Wednesday-Sunday tournament.
• NEW: KKB's coach (Wayne) is putting together at 16U league beginning
After this, the CAL league begins in early August, games on Sundays only. I actually would prefer two leagues in July. Things can get kind of slow with just one game, but it's better than none!
Feed me some comments or call me at 551-1054, let me know what's up.
UPDATE 5 p.m. I just got a call from Coach Wayne. He said his league will begin Friday, June 17, which is just 10 days from now. So get ready! I know most of you are playing summer league, so we'll probably practice this Sunday and the next Sunday, maybe on Wednesdays or whenever you guys don't have school practice/game.
Another thing he said was they had to allow older players, including this year's graduates, to play. That allowed them to have enough teams.
League in 10 days, let's get ready!
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Day of rest
17U win
Sorry guys, but I was totally out of it last night. But I heard you guys played well and won. Scored 80 points! I don't know if it was food poisoning or dehydration or both, but I was just useless. I want thank everybody, especially Christian's mom and dad, for getting me to the hospital and watching over me. Also Drew's mom and dad for holding down the fort and getting things together. I really appreciate the aloha.
I'm doing a lot better now, just had to deal with being in a big headache all night. The doctor and nurses were good and I was out by 1 a.m. My brother took me home.
So, I'm taking it easy today, just drinking lots of fluids, staying out of the sun, I guess. So, no shooting practice today. Sorry Cody. You guys can go shoot all afternoon. Coach will take a break.
It was a fun spring season. Might have a game next Sunday at Kailua. I'll let you guys know once we get word from Coach Daniel.
Sorry guys, but I was totally out of it last night. But I heard you guys played well and won. Scored 80 points! I don't know if it was food poisoning or dehydration or both, but I was just useless. I want thank everybody, especially Christian's mom and dad, for getting me to the hospital and watching over me. Also Drew's mom and dad for holding down the fort and getting things together. I really appreciate the aloha.
I'm doing a lot better now, just had to deal with being in a big headache all night. The doctor and nurses were good and I was out by 1 a.m. My brother took me home.
So, I'm taking it easy today, just drinking lots of fluids, staying out of the sun, I guess. So, no shooting practice today. Sorry Cody. You guys can go shoot all afternoon. Coach will take a break.
It was a fun spring season. Might have a game next Sunday at Kailua. I'll let you guys know once we get word from Coach Daniel.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
15U: loss to OTB
That wraps up the NJB All-Net season for our 15U. OTB is a very cool organization and it's nice to see some familiar faces there doing so well. They just beat us good today. I wish we were at full force from the start, but we had our chance to stay in the game. We're still getting there, one day at a time.
At our best, we were as good or better than any team, including the unbeaten big boys from Kapolei. But over time, we showed lots of room for improvement, including now. I'm never sad about a 7-4 record considering we're far from the biggest team in the league. I do believe, however, that no team showed as much heart. We've had to battle lack of numbers all season long and we've won games with five or six guys thanks to your determination and sacrifice, and the help of good guys like Coach Daniel.
The past few weeks, the pattern has been similar to our 17U: fewer and fewer guys coming to practice. The effect isn't good, but we hid that pretty well until this week. Last week, between our two teams, we were 3-0. But another week of lack of practice time did us in pretty good. We all look rusty, and more so, the chemistry isn't the same. It's very tough to go a week or two without playing together, and then just go out there and play good basketball. That's what makes the game so captivating. Whatever you put in as a team is what you get out.
That's the nature of offseason basketball. There's track and field, volleyball, spring football, band ... all kinds of things that take precedence over basketball leagues and practices. I hope to find the elixir that will stir more guys into coming to practice when they do have time. Most of our workouts emphasize shooting and ballhandling, which take a lot of concentration, but we're not exactly running sprints for three hours. It's relatively easy, but solid repetition work that pays off in the long run.
So no, I'm not bothered about not winning a championship, even though both our 17U and 15U were capable of doing that. I am proud to be part of your basketball life, and if everybody continues to work on their skills, that would make me more happy than any titles.
For now, spring season is almost pau — 17U has a third-place game tonight at Palolo. Next up, exhibition games with Kailua (hopefully) and Leilehua (hopefully). We'll take a combined team (17U + 15U) to those gyms. Kailua may be next Sunday. Leilehua could be on a week day; I'll talk again with their coach. The more games and workouts, the better.
In July, we have the Kona Stingrays tournament (first week) and the NJB tourney (second week). Then it's the CAL League starting in August. It's a solid league that has a 30-second shot clock.
Cody asked if we have practice tomorrow (Sunday). If one guy wants to work out, I'll be there, so practice is on, 3 p.m., Makiki Park. Pizza is on me.
At our best, we were as good or better than any team, including the unbeaten big boys from Kapolei. But over time, we showed lots of room for improvement, including now. I'm never sad about a 7-4 record considering we're far from the biggest team in the league. I do believe, however, that no team showed as much heart. We've had to battle lack of numbers all season long and we've won games with five or six guys thanks to your determination and sacrifice, and the help of good guys like Coach Daniel.
The past few weeks, the pattern has been similar to our 17U: fewer and fewer guys coming to practice. The effect isn't good, but we hid that pretty well until this week. Last week, between our two teams, we were 3-0. But another week of lack of practice time did us in pretty good. We all look rusty, and more so, the chemistry isn't the same. It's very tough to go a week or two without playing together, and then just go out there and play good basketball. That's what makes the game so captivating. Whatever you put in as a team is what you get out.
That's the nature of offseason basketball. There's track and field, volleyball, spring football, band ... all kinds of things that take precedence over basketball leagues and practices. I hope to find the elixir that will stir more guys into coming to practice when they do have time. Most of our workouts emphasize shooting and ballhandling, which take a lot of concentration, but we're not exactly running sprints for three hours. It's relatively easy, but solid repetition work that pays off in the long run.
So no, I'm not bothered about not winning a championship, even though both our 17U and 15U were capable of doing that. I am proud to be part of your basketball life, and if everybody continues to work on their skills, that would make me more happy than any titles.
For now, spring season is almost pau — 17U has a third-place game tonight at Palolo. Next up, exhibition games with Kailua (hopefully) and Leilehua (hopefully). We'll take a combined team (17U + 15U) to those gyms. Kailua may be next Sunday. Leilehua could be on a week day; I'll talk again with their coach. The more games and workouts, the better.
In July, we have the Kona Stingrays tournament (first week) and the NJB tourney (second week). Then it's the CAL League starting in August. It's a solid league that has a 30-second shot clock.
Cody asked if we have practice tomorrow (Sunday). If one guy wants to work out, I'll be there, so practice is on, 3 p.m., Makiki Park. Pizza is on me.
Friday, May 27, 2011
17U: loss in NJB All-Net semifinals
Hat's off to the Force (Kalaheo). They were very tough against us a few weeks ago and we had to dig deep to beat them then. This time, they hit those 3s early and we never got going consistently on offense. Big props to them. They play like a veteran team and have great spacing, chemistry and shooting. A really well-coached team. I think they might challenge for the OIA title next season if they can keep all their players together.
I was concerned about being us being off from the perimeter after another 2-week layoff with no practices. It happened the last time we played the Force. We were so cold, but we made a game of it. Except this time, we didn't attack the rim as often as we did the first time. Good run to cut the lead to two points, but we just weren't committed enough offensively to attacking the Force's weak spot, and our rustiness from long range didn't help.
I've always said that players win games and coaches lose them. In tonight's case, it was definitely my fault. I should have anticipated cold shooting after the long layoff and required our guys to go inside on EVERY possession with a high-post/low-post game. I gave our guys a lot of freedom to launch from deep, and it ended up hurting us. I saw this coming and should've scrapped the usual game plan in favor of an inside attack. They never stopped us consistently when we did go inside.
All in all, for a team that hasn't practiced together in almost two months, it's amazing you've played as well as you have. There have been some games when the shooting was lights out. It was a treat to watch, and I know you guys had fun out there. All I can hope is that you enjoy and love the game as much as I do, hopefully, even more.
This was a fun season and I hope you had as much fun as I did. One more game tomorrow for third place. Let's have some fun!
Schedule
Saturday, 1 p.m., 15U game at Palama Gym. Be there by noon for warmups, just in case the game starts early (before 1 p.m.)
Saturday, 7 p.m., 17U game at Palolo Gym. Be there by 6 p.m. for warmup and probable early start.
Note: We may have an exhibition game at Kailua on Sunday, June 5, in the afternoon. Waiting to hear back from Coach Daniel (Keanu's dad) about that. Also, Leilehua is interested in playing us. Both games would be 17U, but 15U guys are welcome to play. Of course!
I was concerned about being us being off from the perimeter after another 2-week layoff with no practices. It happened the last time we played the Force. We were so cold, but we made a game of it. Except this time, we didn't attack the rim as often as we did the first time. Good run to cut the lead to two points, but we just weren't committed enough offensively to attacking the Force's weak spot, and our rustiness from long range didn't help.
I've always said that players win games and coaches lose them. In tonight's case, it was definitely my fault. I should have anticipated cold shooting after the long layoff and required our guys to go inside on EVERY possession with a high-post/low-post game. I gave our guys a lot of freedom to launch from deep, and it ended up hurting us. I saw this coming and should've scrapped the usual game plan in favor of an inside attack. They never stopped us consistently when we did go inside.
All in all, for a team that hasn't practiced together in almost two months, it's amazing you've played as well as you have. There have been some games when the shooting was lights out. It was a treat to watch, and I know you guys had fun out there. All I can hope is that you enjoy and love the game as much as I do, hopefully, even more.
This was a fun season and I hope you had as much fun as I did. One more game tomorrow for third place. Let's have some fun!
Schedule
Saturday, 1 p.m., 15U game at Palama Gym. Be there by noon for warmups, just in case the game starts early (before 1 p.m.)
Saturday, 7 p.m., 17U game at Palolo Gym. Be there by 6 p.m. for warmup and probable early start.
Note: We may have an exhibition game at Kailua on Sunday, June 5, in the afternoon. Waiting to hear back from Coach Daniel (Keanu's dad) about that. Also, Leilehua is interested in playing us. Both games would be 17U, but 15U guys are welcome to play. Of course!
Sunday, May 22, 2011
15U Thunder: Grinding it out
15U Thunder 39, Blue Devils 28
Today was a classic example of a grinder game, the second of back-to-back games. Yesterday, it was fluid, unselfish, en fuego offense (did we hit 10 3-pointers?). Today, it was about defense over 94 feet of hardwood. I get on you as a team about so many things, it's easy to forget that you held today's opponent to less than 30 points. It wasn't because of dominant defense under the basket; we got killed on the boards. It was because you were willing to work hard all over the court, forcing tons of turnovers and scoring off those turnovers by the Blue Devils.
I knew we might have a letdown offensively today, as any team would on back-to-backs. We scored more in the first half yesterday (41 points) than we did all of today. But the overall effort was very good anyway, and I love that. So there's one more game, next Saturday, and the 15U season is over for NJB All-Net. I wish we had a shot at the teams in the highest playoff pool because we can beat any of them — Kapolei, OTB, whoever.
For now, let's enjoy what's left of the weekend and the coming week. We'll practice Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. As always, primary focus is on shooting. I believe fully that all the repetitions will pay off when we play in summer tournaments (Kona Stingrays, NJB All-Net) and the fall CAL League, and when everybody plays for their school teams in the winter. Heck, all the shooting reps have already paid off. We shot the ball so well the past couple of weeks. Sweet!
Since CAL has decided to hold off on the 15-under division until August, I am going to contact high school coaches and arrange for exhibition games in June and July for our Thunder. We might play varsity summer league teams. We might play JV summer league teams. Wherever we go, we'll pay for the referees and scorekeeper. Add up the cost and it's roughly the same as playing in a league, so be prepared to do some traveling, everybody. If you have a list of preferred schools you'd like to play against, let me know. Nothing is set in stone, but I'm going to ask a lot of coaches no matter what.
Schedule
Tuesday
Today was a classic example of a grinder game, the second of back-to-back games. Yesterday, it was fluid, unselfish, en fuego offense (did we hit 10 3-pointers?). Today, it was about defense over 94 feet of hardwood. I get on you as a team about so many things, it's easy to forget that you held today's opponent to less than 30 points. It wasn't because of dominant defense under the basket; we got killed on the boards. It was because you were willing to work hard all over the court, forcing tons of turnovers and scoring off those turnovers by the Blue Devils.
I knew we might have a letdown offensively today, as any team would on back-to-backs. We scored more in the first half yesterday (41 points) than we did all of today. But the overall effort was very good anyway, and I love that. So there's one more game, next Saturday, and the 15U season is over for NJB All-Net. I wish we had a shot at the teams in the highest playoff pool because we can beat any of them — Kapolei, OTB, whoever.
For now, let's enjoy what's left of the weekend and the coming week. We'll practice Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. As always, primary focus is on shooting. I believe fully that all the repetitions will pay off when we play in summer tournaments (Kona Stingrays, NJB All-Net) and the fall CAL League, and when everybody plays for their school teams in the winter. Heck, all the shooting reps have already paid off. We shot the ball so well the past couple of weeks. Sweet!
Since CAL has decided to hold off on the 15-under division until August, I am going to contact high school coaches and arrange for exhibition games in June and July for our Thunder. We might play varsity summer league teams. We might play JV summer league teams. Wherever we go, we'll pay for the referees and scorekeeper. Add up the cost and it's roughly the same as playing in a league, so be prepared to do some traveling, everybody. If you have a list of preferred schools you'd like to play against, let me know. Nothing is set in stone, but I'm going to ask a lot of coaches no matter what.
Schedule
Tuesday
>> 5 p.m., Practice, Stevenson Middle School courts
Wednesday
>> 5 p.m., Practice, Makiki Park
Thursday
>> 5 p.m., Practice, Stevenson Middle School courts
Friday
>> 7 p.m., 17U Thunder vs. Force, Kilauea Gym
Saturday
>> 1 p.m., 15U Thunder, Palama Settlement Gym
>> 7 or 8 p.m., 17U Thunder, Palolo Gym
>> 7 or 8 p.m., 17U Thunder, Palolo Gym
Note: If 17U wins the Friday game, we play 8 p.m. If 17U loses the Friday game, we play 7 p.m.
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