ESPN Hoopgurlz columnist, Mark Lewis, wrote a great article on the importance of fit. This article has great timing since as many as a dozen San Antonio girls are currently contemplating their college basketball choices. I wrote a recent blog about fit and it became a pretty debated topic. I am happy that the former college coach and respected columnist, Lewis, was able to find time to touch on some of the same issues I expressed. While I tackled issues of fit in regards to finding the right club, Lewis advises prospects about choosing the right fit for college. He writes:
"Each year as I sit court side, I think about how important an athlete's choice of program is to her ultimate success at the college level. There are an elite few prospects every year who will be impact players and have success no matter what program they choose. And then there will be those who forget that fit has many different components and choose a place that seems to be ideal but ultimately just isn't right.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
An Elite Dad writes about a tough decision
I received this email from a local dad who wanted to share his story. I think the reason for sharing his thoughts have to do with the agonizing decisions we make as parents. Who knows what is right and wrong when considering so many factors? The interesting thing about this dad's decision, is that his daughter is widely considered one of the best players in her age group in the city. His family stood to lose a lot if their decision was the wrong one. His letter thoughts follow:
"One year ago I thought my daughter’s club team was pretty good. They had won several big tournaments including some national ones. A year ago she was small post or I thought a power forward - that was until all the other girls passed her by on the late growth spurts – or better yet her early growth spurt. A year ago she would seldom take a jump shot further than 4 to 5 feet. A year ago she was not very confident in dribbling the ball more than two to three dribbles on the other side of the coin, she did not have to, because she lived in the paint. A year ago she rarely faced the basket; she always played with her back to it as a post. A year ago she was the BIG duck in a little puddle.
A year ago as her parents we had to decide, does she stay with her team and let her continue to play out of position or move her to a team/coach that will mold her into what she really should be, a guard. The move would also make her the little duck in a very big lake. The decision was an agonizing one for several reasons. First, she was comfortable in her environment and she doesn’t like change. Secondly, to leave a team after six seasons would be bitter sweet. There was going to be some hard feelings among some parents, players, and the coach. Lastly, you always wonder in the back of your mind, what if it doesn’t work out, and then what? Then we remembered what an assistant basketball coach for OU had said in a talk she did for the girls at a national tournament. She told the girls that they hold their own destiny in their hands. They are the driver of their car and they need to look forward as they go down the road and not look in the rear view mirror at the past. Better yet take the rear view mirror out of the car. Their success/failure will be determined by the passengers (coaches/trainers) they pick up along the way. No one drives their car except them. As the parent we are their GPS, we help guide them on their journey.
After many conversations (interviews) with her new would be coach, with my daughter and wife, we made the decision to join the new team no matter the outcome. I still remember the first time my daughter walk into the gym, she was shocked at the warm welcome she received. She embraced them as they embraced her. She had battled against these girls for a couple of years and playing with them was a lot better/different than playing against them.
A year ago the coach told me that if she would buy into what he was teaching and practice the skills, she would gain a new set of skills, become confident in her ability to dribble, shoot and her knowledge of the game. He also said don’t expect it to happen overnight, but it will happen. A year ago this week she walked into a new environment, with a new coach, a new team, new expectations and today she is a better player. She still has a long way to go, but her belief in her coach, his expectations and the expectations of her teammates makes her want to get better. A year ago, there was no going to the gym just to shoot around or to work on her ball handling, today she requires I take her on her off days.
If I look in the rear view mirror, a year ago is in the past. The decision my daughter made as the driver of her car was a great decision. She isn’t the same player she was; she will tell you she is a stronger and smarter and a heck of a lot more confident in her skill set. As a parent we have let our kids drive the car, but we have to know and approve of who they are allowing in the passenger seat."
"One year ago I thought my daughter’s club team was pretty good. They had won several big tournaments including some national ones. A year ago she was small post or I thought a power forward - that was until all the other girls passed her by on the late growth spurts – or better yet her early growth spurt. A year ago she would seldom take a jump shot further than 4 to 5 feet. A year ago she was not very confident in dribbling the ball more than two to three dribbles on the other side of the coin, she did not have to, because she lived in the paint. A year ago she rarely faced the basket; she always played with her back to it as a post. A year ago she was the BIG duck in a little puddle.
A year ago as her parents we had to decide, does she stay with her team and let her continue to play out of position or move her to a team/coach that will mold her into what she really should be, a guard. The move would also make her the little duck in a very big lake. The decision was an agonizing one for several reasons. First, she was comfortable in her environment and she doesn’t like change. Secondly, to leave a team after six seasons would be bitter sweet. There was going to be some hard feelings among some parents, players, and the coach. Lastly, you always wonder in the back of your mind, what if it doesn’t work out, and then what? Then we remembered what an assistant basketball coach for OU had said in a talk she did for the girls at a national tournament. She told the girls that they hold their own destiny in their hands. They are the driver of their car and they need to look forward as they go down the road and not look in the rear view mirror at the past. Better yet take the rear view mirror out of the car. Their success/failure will be determined by the passengers (coaches/trainers) they pick up along the way. No one drives their car except them. As the parent we are their GPS, we help guide them on their journey.
After many conversations (interviews) with her new would be coach, with my daughter and wife, we made the decision to join the new team no matter the outcome. I still remember the first time my daughter walk into the gym, she was shocked at the warm welcome she received. She embraced them as they embraced her. She had battled against these girls for a couple of years and playing with them was a lot better/different than playing against them.
A year ago the coach told me that if she would buy into what he was teaching and practice the skills, she would gain a new set of skills, become confident in her ability to dribble, shoot and her knowledge of the game. He also said don’t expect it to happen overnight, but it will happen. A year ago this week she walked into a new environment, with a new coach, a new team, new expectations and today she is a better player. She still has a long way to go, but her belief in her coach, his expectations and the expectations of her teammates makes her want to get better. A year ago, there was no going to the gym just to shoot around or to work on her ball handling, today she requires I take her on her off days.
If I look in the rear view mirror, a year ago is in the past. The decision my daughter made as the driver of her car was a great decision. She isn’t the same player she was; she will tell you she is a stronger and smarter and a heck of a lot more confident in her skill set. As a parent we have let our kids drive the car, but we have to know and approve of who they are allowing in the passenger seat."
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
A couple responses
A local club coach sent this in response to the Mike Flynn blog:
Reading Mike Flynn's blog made me remember something interesting that happened this past April during our AAU season. When he spoke about one of the main reasons AAU was changing was due to the college coaches wants (one of the main ones being...they just want to see kids play,no drills),it reminded me of a discussion I had with 3 different coaches at an April exposure event. I had at least 6 of my girls in a Skills Camp which was held within the tournament and they ran almost 4 hours worth of drills followed by an hour of games. At the beginning of the drills section, I was speaking to a colleague and said "Wow,there aren't ANY college coaches here watching, what a waste!" Well, later on I spoke with a couple of college coaches and voiced my concern. One coach simply said "Are you kidding,we went to lunch,we didn't want to see FOUR HOURS worth of drills,WE WANT TO SEE THEM PLAY, that's the only reason we came back!" I just laughed, but at same time thought, "well dang, what is the camp for then?" My girls spent their money to get in it,with the assumption that they were going to be showcasing their talents in front of a bunch of scouts because we thought that's what they'd want to see. Instead they were seen by no one. I guess Mike Flynn hit the nail on the head with that one, just wish I would've known sooner!
Here is another response to the blog about 40 complaints. I must reiterate that I wrote no portion of the 40 complaints. I just copied and pasted them from a popular message board. The following line was sent to me by a general manager of a successful local club:
"Complaining is all relative. A parent complaining about something regarding their relative." (child)
Reading Mike Flynn's blog made me remember something interesting that happened this past April during our AAU season. When he spoke about one of the main reasons AAU was changing was due to the college coaches wants (one of the main ones being...they just want to see kids play,no drills),it reminded me of a discussion I had with 3 different coaches at an April exposure event. I had at least 6 of my girls in a Skills Camp which was held within the tournament and they ran almost 4 hours worth of drills followed by an hour of games. At the beginning of the drills section, I was speaking to a colleague and said "Wow,there aren't ANY college coaches here watching, what a waste!" Well, later on I spoke with a couple of college coaches and voiced my concern. One coach simply said "Are you kidding,we went to lunch,we didn't want to see FOUR HOURS worth of drills,WE WANT TO SEE THEM PLAY, that's the only reason we came back!" I just laughed, but at same time thought, "well dang, what is the camp for then?" My girls spent their money to get in it,with the assumption that they were going to be showcasing their talents in front of a bunch of scouts because we thought that's what they'd want to see. Instead they were seen by no one. I guess Mike Flynn hit the nail on the head with that one, just wish I would've known sooner!
Here is another response to the blog about 40 complaints. I must reiterate that I wrote no portion of the 40 complaints. I just copied and pasted them from a popular message board. The following line was sent to me by a general manager of a successful local club:
"Complaining is all relative. A parent complaining about something regarding their relative." (child)
Monday, August 31, 2009
40 Complaints!
This is a yearly list posted on a message board of 40 complaints from parents. I'm posting it because complaining is universal!:
Top Forty Most Common Complaints Against Basketball Coaches From Parents
1. Why doesn`t my kid ever get a chance to play? (The coach watches the player play everyday in practice but, the parent doesn`t consider that a chance.)
2. We feel like the coach is picking on my kid. (This is a classic - everyone feels that they are the only one getting yelled at.)
3. I`ve got a kid that used to love basketball but now he`s talking about quitting. (Usually applies to a player who had a history of starting and/or playing most of the time before but now isn`t playing much.)
4. Why is my kid not getting much playing time? He is better than almost all of those other kids!
5. Why is my kid not starting, he was an all-star every year up until now?
6. Why is my kid not starting, he was on an AAU team that went to the nationals?
7. The coach is killing my kid’s confidence. (Usually applies especially if their kid played well at the last level they played at but is not playing well now.)
8. My kid doesn`t get to play because of politics. We just don`t have big money.
9. The coach already has his team. He plays favorites.
10. The coach takes out my kid after one mistakes every time and not the other players. (It`s amazing how many kids think that this only happens to them on the same team).
11. The coach isn’t playing my kid with the right combination of players. (Usually applies especially if their kid is getting playing time but not playing well).
12. The players have talent but the coach doesn`t know how to use them. (Usually used against a coach who has talented but individualistic players).
13. The schedule is too weak! (Usually used against a coach if their team loses quickly in the tournament).
14. Look at the record. They don’t win enough. (Usually used against a coach that sets up a demanding schedule.
15. The coach allows the kids to shoot too many threes (Especially applies, if their kid is a post player).
16. The coach doesn’t allow the kids to shoot any threes (Especially applies, if their kid is a guard).
17. The coach should play the young kids (Usually applies especially if their kid is young).
18. The coach should play the older kids (Usually applies especially if their kid is older).
19. My kid comes out of the game and nobody tells him what he did wrong. How can he get better?
20. The coach has them do too much in the off-season "that`s why they`re burned out".
21. The coach doesn`t have them do enough in the off-season "he`s not developing the talent".
22. They don`t lift enough weights - Look how skinny the players are.
23. They lift too many weights – it hurts their shot (especially if they are not shooting well)
24. They are not playing as a team. (Applies especially if their kid isn`t getting very many shots).
25. We need nicer uniforms (or warm ups, or team trips, or…etc.).
26. Why do we have to do all of this fundraising?
27. I gave all this money and time to the Booster Club and my kid still isn`t playing?
28. My kid is a "Good Kid" and should be playing in front of those problematic kids.
27. This coach can`t win the big one!
29. The team has "no discipline". He’s too nice a guy.
30. The coach is a “tyrant”. The kids are playing scared.
31. Practices are closed. What does the coach have to hide?
32. The coach doesn`t know how to use time-outs.
33. The coach told my kid not to play another sport.
34. The team doesn’t fast break enough. (Again, usually if their kid is a guard)
35. The team is out of control. They need to set it up and get good shots (Again, usually if their kid is a post player)
36. My kid should be on the varsity. Look at how well he’s playing on the JV team. (Apparently forgetting that it is against JV players)
37. My kid should have stayed on the JV team. He’s only a sub on the varsity.
38. My kid should be getting more shots. He’s always open. ( Without realizing that there is usually a reason that he is always open)
39. My kid should be getting more shots. How is he going to get a scholarship taking so few shots? (Usually spoken by a parent who wants their kid to be ALL-STATE more than he wants your team to WIN THE STATE.)
40. The coach is aloof and does not communicate with the parents at all. (Forgetting that most conversations are about any or all of the above – is it any wonder?)
Top Forty Most Common Complaints Against Basketball Coaches From Parents
1. Why doesn`t my kid ever get a chance to play? (The coach watches the player play everyday in practice but, the parent doesn`t consider that a chance.)
2. We feel like the coach is picking on my kid. (This is a classic - everyone feels that they are the only one getting yelled at.)
3. I`ve got a kid that used to love basketball but now he`s talking about quitting. (Usually applies to a player who had a history of starting and/or playing most of the time before but now isn`t playing much.)
4. Why is my kid not getting much playing time? He is better than almost all of those other kids!
5. Why is my kid not starting, he was an all-star every year up until now?
6. Why is my kid not starting, he was on an AAU team that went to the nationals?
7. The coach is killing my kid’s confidence. (Usually applies especially if their kid played well at the last level they played at but is not playing well now.)
8. My kid doesn`t get to play because of politics. We just don`t have big money.
9. The coach already has his team. He plays favorites.
10. The coach takes out my kid after one mistakes every time and not the other players. (It`s amazing how many kids think that this only happens to them on the same team).
11. The coach isn’t playing my kid with the right combination of players. (Usually applies especially if their kid is getting playing time but not playing well).
12. The players have talent but the coach doesn`t know how to use them. (Usually used against a coach who has talented but individualistic players).
13. The schedule is too weak! (Usually used against a coach if their team loses quickly in the tournament).
14. Look at the record. They don’t win enough. (Usually used against a coach that sets up a demanding schedule.
15. The coach allows the kids to shoot too many threes (Especially applies, if their kid is a post player).
16. The coach doesn’t allow the kids to shoot any threes (Especially applies, if their kid is a guard).
17. The coach should play the young kids (Usually applies especially if their kid is young).
18. The coach should play the older kids (Usually applies especially if their kid is older).
19. My kid comes out of the game and nobody tells him what he did wrong. How can he get better?
20. The coach has them do too much in the off-season "that`s why they`re burned out".
21. The coach doesn`t have them do enough in the off-season "he`s not developing the talent".
22. They don`t lift enough weights - Look how skinny the players are.
23. They lift too many weights – it hurts their shot (especially if they are not shooting well)
24. They are not playing as a team. (Applies especially if their kid isn`t getting very many shots).
25. We need nicer uniforms (or warm ups, or team trips, or…etc.).
26. Why do we have to do all of this fundraising?
27. I gave all this money and time to the Booster Club and my kid still isn`t playing?
28. My kid is a "Good Kid" and should be playing in front of those problematic kids.
27. This coach can`t win the big one!
29. The team has "no discipline". He’s too nice a guy.
30. The coach is a “tyrant”. The kids are playing scared.
31. Practices are closed. What does the coach have to hide?
32. The coach doesn`t know how to use time-outs.
33. The coach told my kid not to play another sport.
34. The team doesn’t fast break enough. (Again, usually if their kid is a guard)
35. The team is out of control. They need to set it up and get good shots (Again, usually if their kid is a post player)
36. My kid should be on the varsity. Look at how well he’s playing on the JV team. (Apparently forgetting that it is against JV players)
37. My kid should have stayed on the JV team. He’s only a sub on the varsity.
38. My kid should be getting more shots. He’s always open. ( Without realizing that there is usually a reason that he is always open)
39. My kid should be getting more shots. How is he going to get a scholarship taking so few shots? (Usually spoken by a parent who wants their kid to be ALL-STATE more than he wants your team to WIN THE STATE.)
40. The coach is aloof and does not communicate with the parents at all. (Forgetting that most conversations are about any or all of the above – is it any wonder?)
Something to think about!
Any regular reader will know that the word "Development" is used often here. I hold a "Developer" in the highest regard. However, in light of the constant bashing of summer coaches and the American youth basketball system, I want to air a few questions that I have.
In a current Wall Street Journal article that cited the evils of our current system, the following was stated:
"New Orleans Hornets forward Peja Stojakovic, who is Serbian, remembers spending four hours a day dribbling through chairs and working on defense and other fundamentals in practices."
That is great! I agree wholeheartedly that this type of training is needed. It is VERY important and should be required.( Peja plays defense? On who?)
Now here is the question, how many Peja's of the world have LED their teams to NBA titles? The answer is ABSOLUTELY NONE!!! Fact!!!
Pau Gasol was Robin to Kobe's Batman. Dirk has tried to be one of these players, groomed in European basketball factories, to lead his team to a Ship' but like others, he has failed. His best opportunity was thwarted by the Golden State warriors and their trio of basketball malcontents Baron Davis, Monta Ellis and Stephen Jackson. This is one of the only times that a #8 seed defeated a number #1 in the NBA playoffs. Eilis, Davis, and Jackson are all products of the Evil Empire known as AAU.
Stojakovic himself was a auxiliary piece in the Sacramento Kings quest to earn a title. Another AAU product and supposed poster boy of what is wrong with our system, Chris Weber, was the undisputed leader and star of that team. Now, one can counter and say that Vlade Divac played an integral part in that teams success but I would have to come back with the fact that AAU- bred Mike Bibby was just as, if not more, important than Divac. Bibby was simply unguardable during the 2002 playoffs. His AAU game of ,one vs one ability, allowed him to torch opposing teams to the tune of 20 points and 5 assists. He just so happened to catch the tail end of the Shaq-Kobe Dynasty.
Now, some may say that Tim Duncan did not play in the AAU system and has lead his team to titles. I agree, but the fact remains that Tim did not hone his skills in a European style basketball factory. He was a swimmer the majority of his youth.
Another question is this, why are American players so prized in professional leagues outside of the country but vilified here?
We all know many could have-should have NBA basketball players that earn a good living playing overseas. Most every club team abroad imports former NCAA stars to help them chase a title in their respective leagues. The difference with NBA teams importing players and overseas clubs doing the same is that our NBA role players are frequently the stars on their overseas clubs.
A recent check of the leading scorers in the Euroleague list Terrell McIntyre(Clemson), David Logan(Univ of Indianapolis), Chris Warren as the 2-4 leading scorers in the league. Sometime former NBA starter, Carlos Arroyo is ranked #9 in scoring. Arroyo also ranks 6th in assists. In the NBA, Arroyo would not be considered among the ten best point guards in the league but he is probably one of the ten best PLAYERS overseas currently. One of the prime examples of coming out of school too early and AAU infamy is Omar Cook. Cook was supposed to be a perennial All-Star and 10 year vet in the NBA. He is still trying to get back there, but his Brooklyn skill set allows him to rank second the the Euroleague in assist and earn a great living as one of the best players overseas. Our NBA rejects, are still better than most of the elite players overseas. ( see NBA role player, Earl Boykins as Italys highest paid player)
While I agree with the need to institute more development and less games for young players, I think it is overreacting when some claim that our system is entirely broke. Even if it is broke, when was it working properly? Point shaving(UNC's Doug Moe), high school coaches taking money under the table(Tates Lock- Bobby Knights coach), rich boosters buying recruits(Sam Gilbert), and academic dishonesty have always been a part of the game.
( A Side Note: While recently reading "Blue Blood" about the origins of the UNC and Duke rivalry, I read something very interesting. Brawls were apparently the norm in those days. The esteemed Larry Brown started a melee reminiscent to the one that the so-called thug, Ron Artest, started 40 years later. And yes, the very educated crowd from Duke and UNC joined the fisticuffs. Apparently, time has a way of making all of us old folks forget our youthful indiscretions)
But, this era is full of ball hogs that do not play the game the critics say. The great Pistol Pete AVERAGED over 40 points a game in the late 60's. Please view the Top 10 scorers in NCAA Division 1 history. Only two played a game after 1990.Apparently, a lot of ball hogging and not sharing was acceptable back then. In fact, the Top 10 assists leaders in NCAA Division 1 history, ALL but one(Sherman Douglas 1989), played in or after 1990. So much for modern day selfishness!
Like all things, AAU and youth basketball can do things better. But, we should not act like our current players and system is the end of the world. The fact remains, our players are still the BEST IN THE WORLD.
In a current Wall Street Journal article that cited the evils of our current system, the following was stated:
"New Orleans Hornets forward Peja Stojakovic, who is Serbian, remembers spending four hours a day dribbling through chairs and working on defense and other fundamentals in practices."
That is great! I agree wholeheartedly that this type of training is needed. It is VERY important and should be required.( Peja plays defense? On who?)
Now here is the question, how many Peja's of the world have LED their teams to NBA titles? The answer is ABSOLUTELY NONE!!! Fact!!!
Pau Gasol was Robin to Kobe's Batman. Dirk has tried to be one of these players, groomed in European basketball factories, to lead his team to a Ship' but like others, he has failed. His best opportunity was thwarted by the Golden State warriors and their trio of basketball malcontents Baron Davis, Monta Ellis and Stephen Jackson. This is one of the only times that a #8 seed defeated a number #1 in the NBA playoffs. Eilis, Davis, and Jackson are all products of the Evil Empire known as AAU.
Stojakovic himself was a auxiliary piece in the Sacramento Kings quest to earn a title. Another AAU product and supposed poster boy of what is wrong with our system, Chris Weber, was the undisputed leader and star of that team. Now, one can counter and say that Vlade Divac played an integral part in that teams success but I would have to come back with the fact that AAU- bred Mike Bibby was just as, if not more, important than Divac. Bibby was simply unguardable during the 2002 playoffs. His AAU game of ,one vs one ability, allowed him to torch opposing teams to the tune of 20 points and 5 assists. He just so happened to catch the tail end of the Shaq-Kobe Dynasty.
Now, some may say that Tim Duncan did not play in the AAU system and has lead his team to titles. I agree, but the fact remains that Tim did not hone his skills in a European style basketball factory. He was a swimmer the majority of his youth.
Another question is this, why are American players so prized in professional leagues outside of the country but vilified here?
We all know many could have-should have NBA basketball players that earn a good living playing overseas. Most every club team abroad imports former NCAA stars to help them chase a title in their respective leagues. The difference with NBA teams importing players and overseas clubs doing the same is that our NBA role players are frequently the stars on their overseas clubs.
A recent check of the leading scorers in the Euroleague list Terrell McIntyre(Clemson), David Logan(Univ of Indianapolis), Chris Warren as the 2-4 leading scorers in the league. Sometime former NBA starter, Carlos Arroyo is ranked #9 in scoring. Arroyo also ranks 6th in assists. In the NBA, Arroyo would not be considered among the ten best point guards in the league but he is probably one of the ten best PLAYERS overseas currently. One of the prime examples of coming out of school too early and AAU infamy is Omar Cook. Cook was supposed to be a perennial All-Star and 10 year vet in the NBA. He is still trying to get back there, but his Brooklyn skill set allows him to rank second the the Euroleague in assist and earn a great living as one of the best players overseas. Our NBA rejects, are still better than most of the elite players overseas. ( see NBA role player, Earl Boykins as Italys highest paid player)
While I agree with the need to institute more development and less games for young players, I think it is overreacting when some claim that our system is entirely broke. Even if it is broke, when was it working properly? Point shaving(UNC's Doug Moe), high school coaches taking money under the table(Tates Lock- Bobby Knights coach), rich boosters buying recruits(Sam Gilbert), and academic dishonesty have always been a part of the game.
( A Side Note: While recently reading "Blue Blood" about the origins of the UNC and Duke rivalry, I read something very interesting. Brawls were apparently the norm in those days. The esteemed Larry Brown started a melee reminiscent to the one that the so-called thug, Ron Artest, started 40 years later. And yes, the very educated crowd from Duke and UNC joined the fisticuffs. Apparently, time has a way of making all of us old folks forget our youthful indiscretions)
But, this era is full of ball hogs that do not play the game the critics say. The great Pistol Pete AVERAGED over 40 points a game in the late 60's. Please view the Top 10 scorers in NCAA Division 1 history. Only two played a game after 1990.Apparently, a lot of ball hogging and not sharing was acceptable back then. In fact, the Top 10 assists leaders in NCAA Division 1 history, ALL but one(Sherman Douglas 1989), played in or after 1990. So much for modern day selfishness!
Like all things, AAU and youth basketball can do things better. But, we should not act like our current players and system is the end of the world. The fact remains, our players are still the BEST IN THE WORLD.
Mike Flynn Responds
Mike Flynn is an original on the girls basketball circuit. He goes back to the 70's and is currently one of the most powerful men in the sport today. His recruitment report is used by colleges across the country and his summer events are generally recognized as being among the most respected.
Mr. Flynn posted the following response to a Wall Street Journal story about the evils of the current youth basketball system. The article has been copied, pasted and recited as fact by almost every AAU bashing coach in America. Mr. Flynn was around before the influx of travel teams and offers a different perspective on his blog:
"This is a bold face lie – the college coaches demanded this “play” model when they decided to quit the skills and drills camp circuit back in the late 80s to “watch kids play instead of camp drills.” They should not get a free pass on this as they told parents and coaches this is what they wanted, thinking they could focus on only the kids who played in a “real game.” Hence, the desire to win, play your best, and travel coaches (not AAU only) went out and started to get the best players to win on a summer circuit the college coaches wanted. Once those travel coaches won, and went out and recruited earlier for talent, those individuals became the key influencers in that young athlete’s life. The next domino in that was the ability of college coaches and agents to create “relationships” with said travel coaches of influence. Once the focus to win is primary and the time commitment for drills is secondary as demanded by the college coaches, you can not ask American basketball to all of a sudden adopt the Euro model which is set for a smaller basketball population of talent that has NO academic pressure to “go to college.” Now, everyone wants that model but without explaining what the real challenges to adoption are. They want to paint the AAU and the shoe companies in the same brush without an analysis of how we got here. The AAU had events and the teams played and practiced between Summer Camps and Local Summer Leagues. When the “summer model” changed from camps to all-out play, the AAU was a system that was developed to go play in so they get smashed for being a vehicle to give the college coaches what they wanted. Those same college coaches who were “working with shoe companies” and had influence to get the American summer model changed to play knew those new travel coaches had the connections and energy to recruit early and build relationships. Why not ”help them out” in their work by getting sponsorship for them. While that may seem ”horrible” to some, it enabled a growth of basketball talent as you can never walk away from the 10,000 hour rule in this sport either. You can complain about how those relationships between shoe companies, travel coaches and college coaches may have developed into but this is what that first domino to change the old American summer model of basketball developed now to. Do we need change, heck yes, but all I hear are issues and no one wants to offer solutions except for a web site to make money. People can complain all they want but American Youth Basketball didn’t lose in Athens nor Beijing – but that’s another tangent. Mr. Van Gundy talks about six hours in the gym. Where can you do that in America and not have to pay for it? And, who’s working with you? ghosts? In Europe those coaches are paid to work out with the talent. The only paid coaches are those few high school coaches who want to work with their kids (if the HS rules permit) or college coaches. If a Travel Coach works kids out he’s a shark. Mr. Beasley is now rewarded by a flawed system that helped him become rich without the Euro model. It’s stories like this that’s easy to read like a People Magazine cover. Real solutions are out there but will the real powers of basketball want to upset the apple cart of relationships developed these past 20 years? "— Mike
Mr. Flynn posted the following response to a Wall Street Journal story about the evils of the current youth basketball system. The article has been copied, pasted and recited as fact by almost every AAU bashing coach in America. Mr. Flynn was around before the influx of travel teams and offers a different perspective on his blog:
"This is a bold face lie – the college coaches demanded this “play” model when they decided to quit the skills and drills camp circuit back in the late 80s to “watch kids play instead of camp drills.” They should not get a free pass on this as they told parents and coaches this is what they wanted, thinking they could focus on only the kids who played in a “real game.” Hence, the desire to win, play your best, and travel coaches (not AAU only) went out and started to get the best players to win on a summer circuit the college coaches wanted. Once those travel coaches won, and went out and recruited earlier for talent, those individuals became the key influencers in that young athlete’s life. The next domino in that was the ability of college coaches and agents to create “relationships” with said travel coaches of influence. Once the focus to win is primary and the time commitment for drills is secondary as demanded by the college coaches, you can not ask American basketball to all of a sudden adopt the Euro model which is set for a smaller basketball population of talent that has NO academic pressure to “go to college.” Now, everyone wants that model but without explaining what the real challenges to adoption are. They want to paint the AAU and the shoe companies in the same brush without an analysis of how we got here. The AAU had events and the teams played and practiced between Summer Camps and Local Summer Leagues. When the “summer model” changed from camps to all-out play, the AAU was a system that was developed to go play in so they get smashed for being a vehicle to give the college coaches what they wanted. Those same college coaches who were “working with shoe companies” and had influence to get the American summer model changed to play knew those new travel coaches had the connections and energy to recruit early and build relationships. Why not ”help them out” in their work by getting sponsorship for them. While that may seem ”horrible” to some, it enabled a growth of basketball talent as you can never walk away from the 10,000 hour rule in this sport either. You can complain about how those relationships between shoe companies, travel coaches and college coaches may have developed into but this is what that first domino to change the old American summer model of basketball developed now to. Do we need change, heck yes, but all I hear are issues and no one wants to offer solutions except for a web site to make money. People can complain all they want but American Youth Basketball didn’t lose in Athens nor Beijing – but that’s another tangent. Mr. Van Gundy talks about six hours in the gym. Where can you do that in America and not have to pay for it? And, who’s working with you? ghosts? In Europe those coaches are paid to work out with the talent. The only paid coaches are those few high school coaches who want to work with their kids (if the HS rules permit) or college coaches. If a Travel Coach works kids out he’s a shark. Mr. Beasley is now rewarded by a flawed system that helped him become rich without the Euro model. It’s stories like this that’s easy to read like a People Magazine cover. Real solutions are out there but will the real powers of basketball want to upset the apple cart of relationships developed these past 20 years? "— Mike
Saturday, August 29, 2009
King David-ish
Being raised in the church has ingrained me with the stories, deeds, parables and examples of Men/Women of God. My childhood preachers/teachers used the ways of prophets and ordinary folks mentioned in the Bible to help instill life long lessons into their congregations. While their lessons from the pulpit focused on the true essence of life(salvation, love, morals, Heaven), some of the figures and incidents in their teachings help describe the valor of athletes.
Now, I am not being sacrilegious or trying to desecrate the names of prophets. However, we all engage in hyperbole at times. How many times have we all seen, heard or invoked scripture to help us in athletic battles? How many times have we heard that David slew the proverbial Goliath when an underdog like Buster Douglas beats up a Mike Tyson. We all loved the moment in Hoosiers where the small school is led in prayer by a preacher who reminds us that David killed the behemoth Goliath with a simple stone, so anything is possible. The great King David would have probably respected the will, determination and toughness of Becky Hammon.
Put Becky Hammon in a lay up line with San Antonio's Sune Agbuke, Arielle Roberson and Chatavia Boone-Fudge. Then invite a few college scouts to the game. Do not give any background on any of the players and see who the scouts highlight in their recruiting prospect book before tip off. The scouts will inevitably watch the movements, body frames, and any hint of brilliance in the San Antonio high school kids. None of them will watch Hammon make a lay up and fall in love. The point is that, in a game that worships size and speed, Hammon has neither. What she does have is the last 'S'; skill. And, she is so skilled that she slays Goliaths on the regular.
We all know the story. The Philistines were led by the giant Goliath. Goliath had killed many men and invoked fear into the hearts of many. The Israelites were led by King Saul, who had to kill Goliath if he were to protect his kingdom. In comes the puny Shepherd named David. David was not a soldier by profession but had seasoned himself protecting his flock. In fact, he had faced the threats of lions and bears and fought both with success. He would have to use those dangerous encounters(practice) against the killing machine that went by the name of Goliath. Goliath stood over 9 feet tall and killed people for fun! At least that is how I always envisioned him. Anyway, I found some interesting things from that epic battle that I find reminiscent of Becky Hammon and women's basketball.
" You are not able to go out against this Philistine(Goliath) and fight him: you are only a boy, and he has been fighting from his youth". King Saul to David
Becky Hammon was not heavily recruited out of high school. She was not recruited by any of the empires of women's college basketball and ended up at the small Colorado State University. After an All American college career, Hammon was not drafted into the WNBA and had to try out for the New York Liberty. Just like King Saul, college coaches and professional GM's found it hard to look past her appearance and see the heart and passion of something great.
"But David said to Saul, " Your servant has been keeping his fathers sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and killed it. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it."
At every level, Hammon has succeeded. She won state player of the year as a junior in high school and was a prolific scorer in college. Yet still, she went undrafted and was underestimated at the pro ranks. Lets look at weapons.
King David was finally given the green light to engage the giant Goliath. Saul gave David a sword, helmet, tunic and armor. David must have felt good to receive all this stuff from the king and tried it on. He eventually declined the gear. The gear did not FIT(again we arrive at fit) him. He said " I can not go with these, because I am not used to them." David knew that he was better prepared to fight with weapons he had mastered in his professional life. Lets look at his weapons.
Staff/Rod- A staff was used by Shepperd's in biblical times to ward off wolves, wild dogs, lions and other predators. A good Shepperd would defend his flock by getting up close to a predator and beat the predators in the head with these strong sticks. Needles to say, the Shepperd would have to be courageous and tough. Fighting off lions and packs of wolves with a stick sounds challenging to me. When Goliath saw David approaching him with the staff he shouted " Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks"?
( A Side Note about a Staff: TD Jakes is the man! No one describes and uses King David's life to teach life lessons like him. I have heard him teach about the importance of a staff for a Sheppard. Many Staffs were fashioned with a hook-like top of the stick. They resembled the modern day canes that many use to aid themselves in walking. Besides helping with walking, the primary reason for the hook on ancient staffs, were for Sheppard's to tend to their flock. Apparently, sheep are not the smartest animals. They have trouble understanding that there is safety in the flock and straying away from the Sheppard is dangerous. When some thick headed sheep would wander a little too far from the group, the Sheppard would use the staff to yank the sheep back into line by its neck. Sounds like a good Sheppard is something like a great point guard or masterful coach. I guess Bobby Knight took the Sheppard role to heart when Neil Reed strayed a little too far from the flock.)
Sling Shot- A sling shot in these times are different from the ones we grew up with. We all remember a wishbone looking contraction with a strong rubber band in the middle. We would put a pebble in the rubber band and pull it back. The pebble would fly out and we would think we were marksmen. Not nearly! The sling shots of ancient times were one handed weapons that allowed projectiles to be thrown at targets with great velocity. The effectiveness of the weapon was noted in the battle. " Reaching into his(David)bag and taking out his stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he(Goliath) fell face down on the ground."
Let's rewind. A 9 foot man, armed with swords and a shield, gets defeated by a runt with a stick and a rock. David also received just a little help from God, but the picture is this; being great at using the gifts that you have will give you an advantage over those that rest on their laurels.
Becky Hammon is a runt in basketball circles. She is not fast, athletic and can be unorthodox at times. Like all players, her game has weaknesses but she uses her very developed skill set to slay opponents. Her jump shot is not a jump shot. It is a set shot that needs distance and spacing to be successful. It is a modern day sling shot. Deanna " Tweety" Nolan and her simply beautiful jump shot is the finest sword available. Nolan elevates in the face of opponents using the natural ability that she exudes. Her jumper is a fine work of art and kin the the fighting weapon of the giant Philistine. Nolan jumper is new age, high tech, effective and deadly in basketball terms. Hammon jumper is primitive in comparison. Although it is simple, it lands in the forehead of the competition. Hammon is the second All Time leader in 3 pointers made. The other top 5 players are: Katie Smith 5'11, Tina Thompson 6'2, Diana Taurasi 6'0, Katie Douglas 6'0. Hammon is 5'6 on a good day.
Becky Hammon faces giants on the regular. In a recent game against the Sparks(my favorite team), Hammon faced a line up that went 6'5( Lisa Leslie), 6'4 ( Candace Parker), 6'2 (Tina Thompson,) 6'1(Delisha Milton-Jones), and 6'0 ( Noelle Quinn). Add to the mix that the Silver Stars have their own beautiful giant is the very talented Sophia Young who stands 6'1. Hammon understands that to defeat these Lionesses, you must have the courage to defeat them up close and use your rod to strike them. Her rod is her brain. Or is her rod the ball handling that allows her to penetrate small gaps and exploit the defense? Or is it her crafty shot making ability that enables her to make lay ups from awkward angles and positions over bigger players? Whatever her rod is, she has mastered the use of it and has made millions of dollars(in Russia) using it.
Sundays game against the defending WNBA champs, Detroit Shock, was another example of her slaying Goliath. Hammon scored close to 30 points in the second half to help will her team to victory. During one overtime stretch, Hammon used her sling shot and her rod to put the game out of reach. In the one minute stretch, Hammon accounted for 9 points. First she was left wide open for a 25 foot bomb. Any true basketball fan knew that this rock was going to hit the bulls eye. She caught the pass in rhythm with no defender in a ten foot range. The Shock underestimated the accuracy of her sling shot as their scouting report forgot to mention that Becky Hammon in the clutch is almost automatic. They allowed her to bury that three and another one a few possessions later. The Shock did not wear a helmet to protect their vulnerable foreheads. And yet, a few possessions later, Hammon penetrated the key by using a crafty(very risky) split dribble against a double team. She then found her sidekick, Vicki Johnson, all alone in her spot on the wing. The pass was perfect as Johnson splashed the three. Three possessions, nine points, game over!
I wrote all of that to say this, Becky Hammon overcomes perceived weaknesses to be a great player (warrior). I am not calling the Candace Parker's of the league Goliaths. I envision Goliath as an ugly giant. Believe me, there is NOTHING ugly about Candace Parker. NOTHING!Ugly and her do not belong in the same paragraph! But, what I am saying is that the game of basketball is going towards the men's game. Big, athletic and beautifully gifted players will dominate the future of women's basketball. Britney Griner will change the battle field forever. Personally, few things excite me in women's basketball more than a Candace Parker displaying the skill set of a point guard, or a Sophia Young hitting a 1-2 dribble pull up jumper from 17 feet, or Griner dunking off of two feet vertical. However, Hammon shows all of us that there will always be a place for the player (warrior) that hones her use of weapons (although limited) to almost perfection. Hammon, like the Great King David, can be used as a role model for common size players with common physical attributes. Common players can do uncommon things if they have an uncommon work ethic and environment that nurtures uncommon results.
Now, I am not being sacrilegious or trying to desecrate the names of prophets. However, we all engage in hyperbole at times. How many times have we all seen, heard or invoked scripture to help us in athletic battles? How many times have we heard that David slew the proverbial Goliath when an underdog like Buster Douglas beats up a Mike Tyson. We all loved the moment in Hoosiers where the small school is led in prayer by a preacher who reminds us that David killed the behemoth Goliath with a simple stone, so anything is possible. The great King David would have probably respected the will, determination and toughness of Becky Hammon.
Put Becky Hammon in a lay up line with San Antonio's Sune Agbuke, Arielle Roberson and Chatavia Boone-Fudge. Then invite a few college scouts to the game. Do not give any background on any of the players and see who the scouts highlight in their recruiting prospect book before tip off. The scouts will inevitably watch the movements, body frames, and any hint of brilliance in the San Antonio high school kids. None of them will watch Hammon make a lay up and fall in love. The point is that, in a game that worships size and speed, Hammon has neither. What she does have is the last 'S'; skill. And, she is so skilled that she slays Goliaths on the regular.
We all know the story. The Philistines were led by the giant Goliath. Goliath had killed many men and invoked fear into the hearts of many. The Israelites were led by King Saul, who had to kill Goliath if he were to protect his kingdom. In comes the puny Shepherd named David. David was not a soldier by profession but had seasoned himself protecting his flock. In fact, he had faced the threats of lions and bears and fought both with success. He would have to use those dangerous encounters(practice) against the killing machine that went by the name of Goliath. Goliath stood over 9 feet tall and killed people for fun! At least that is how I always envisioned him. Anyway, I found some interesting things from that epic battle that I find reminiscent of Becky Hammon and women's basketball.
" You are not able to go out against this Philistine(Goliath) and fight him: you are only a boy, and he has been fighting from his youth". King Saul to David
Becky Hammon was not heavily recruited out of high school. She was not recruited by any of the empires of women's college basketball and ended up at the small Colorado State University. After an All American college career, Hammon was not drafted into the WNBA and had to try out for the New York Liberty. Just like King Saul, college coaches and professional GM's found it hard to look past her appearance and see the heart and passion of something great.
"But David said to Saul, " Your servant has been keeping his fathers sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and killed it. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it."
At every level, Hammon has succeeded. She won state player of the year as a junior in high school and was a prolific scorer in college. Yet still, she went undrafted and was underestimated at the pro ranks. Lets look at weapons.
King David was finally given the green light to engage the giant Goliath. Saul gave David a sword, helmet, tunic and armor. David must have felt good to receive all this stuff from the king and tried it on. He eventually declined the gear. The gear did not FIT(again we arrive at fit) him. He said " I can not go with these, because I am not used to them." David knew that he was better prepared to fight with weapons he had mastered in his professional life. Lets look at his weapons.
Staff/Rod- A staff was used by Shepperd's in biblical times to ward off wolves, wild dogs, lions and other predators. A good Shepperd would defend his flock by getting up close to a predator and beat the predators in the head with these strong sticks. Needles to say, the Shepperd would have to be courageous and tough. Fighting off lions and packs of wolves with a stick sounds challenging to me. When Goliath saw David approaching him with the staff he shouted " Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks"?
( A Side Note about a Staff: TD Jakes is the man! No one describes and uses King David's life to teach life lessons like him. I have heard him teach about the importance of a staff for a Sheppard. Many Staffs were fashioned with a hook-like top of the stick. They resembled the modern day canes that many use to aid themselves in walking. Besides helping with walking, the primary reason for the hook on ancient staffs, were for Sheppard's to tend to their flock. Apparently, sheep are not the smartest animals. They have trouble understanding that there is safety in the flock and straying away from the Sheppard is dangerous. When some thick headed sheep would wander a little too far from the group, the Sheppard would use the staff to yank the sheep back into line by its neck. Sounds like a good Sheppard is something like a great point guard or masterful coach. I guess Bobby Knight took the Sheppard role to heart when Neil Reed strayed a little too far from the flock.)
Sling Shot- A sling shot in these times are different from the ones we grew up with. We all remember a wishbone looking contraction with a strong rubber band in the middle. We would put a pebble in the rubber band and pull it back. The pebble would fly out and we would think we were marksmen. Not nearly! The sling shots of ancient times were one handed weapons that allowed projectiles to be thrown at targets with great velocity. The effectiveness of the weapon was noted in the battle. " Reaching into his(David)bag and taking out his stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he(Goliath) fell face down on the ground."
Let's rewind. A 9 foot man, armed with swords and a shield, gets defeated by a runt with a stick and a rock. David also received just a little help from God, but the picture is this; being great at using the gifts that you have will give you an advantage over those that rest on their laurels.
Becky Hammon is a runt in basketball circles. She is not fast, athletic and can be unorthodox at times. Like all players, her game has weaknesses but she uses her very developed skill set to slay opponents. Her jump shot is not a jump shot. It is a set shot that needs distance and spacing to be successful. It is a modern day sling shot. Deanna " Tweety" Nolan and her simply beautiful jump shot is the finest sword available. Nolan elevates in the face of opponents using the natural ability that she exudes. Her jumper is a fine work of art and kin the the fighting weapon of the giant Philistine. Nolan jumper is new age, high tech, effective and deadly in basketball terms. Hammon jumper is primitive in comparison. Although it is simple, it lands in the forehead of the competition. Hammon is the second All Time leader in 3 pointers made. The other top 5 players are: Katie Smith 5'11, Tina Thompson 6'2, Diana Taurasi 6'0, Katie Douglas 6'0. Hammon is 5'6 on a good day.
Becky Hammon faces giants on the regular. In a recent game against the Sparks(my favorite team), Hammon faced a line up that went 6'5( Lisa Leslie), 6'4 ( Candace Parker), 6'2 (Tina Thompson,) 6'1(Delisha Milton-Jones), and 6'0 ( Noelle Quinn). Add to the mix that the Silver Stars have their own beautiful giant is the very talented Sophia Young who stands 6'1. Hammon understands that to defeat these Lionesses, you must have the courage to defeat them up close and use your rod to strike them. Her rod is her brain. Or is her rod the ball handling that allows her to penetrate small gaps and exploit the defense? Or is it her crafty shot making ability that enables her to make lay ups from awkward angles and positions over bigger players? Whatever her rod is, she has mastered the use of it and has made millions of dollars(in Russia) using it.
Sundays game against the defending WNBA champs, Detroit Shock, was another example of her slaying Goliath. Hammon scored close to 30 points in the second half to help will her team to victory. During one overtime stretch, Hammon used her sling shot and her rod to put the game out of reach. In the one minute stretch, Hammon accounted for 9 points. First she was left wide open for a 25 foot bomb. Any true basketball fan knew that this rock was going to hit the bulls eye. She caught the pass in rhythm with no defender in a ten foot range. The Shock underestimated the accuracy of her sling shot as their scouting report forgot to mention that Becky Hammon in the clutch is almost automatic. They allowed her to bury that three and another one a few possessions later. The Shock did not wear a helmet to protect their vulnerable foreheads. And yet, a few possessions later, Hammon penetrated the key by using a crafty(very risky) split dribble against a double team. She then found her sidekick, Vicki Johnson, all alone in her spot on the wing. The pass was perfect as Johnson splashed the three. Three possessions, nine points, game over!
I wrote all of that to say this, Becky Hammon overcomes perceived weaknesses to be a great player (warrior). I am not calling the Candace Parker's of the league Goliaths. I envision Goliath as an ugly giant. Believe me, there is NOTHING ugly about Candace Parker. NOTHING!Ugly and her do not belong in the same paragraph! But, what I am saying is that the game of basketball is going towards the men's game. Big, athletic and beautifully gifted players will dominate the future of women's basketball. Britney Griner will change the battle field forever. Personally, few things excite me in women's basketball more than a Candace Parker displaying the skill set of a point guard, or a Sophia Young hitting a 1-2 dribble pull up jumper from 17 feet, or Griner dunking off of two feet vertical. However, Hammon shows all of us that there will always be a place for the player (warrior) that hones her use of weapons (although limited) to almost perfection. Hammon, like the Great King David, can be used as a role model for common size players with common physical attributes. Common players can do uncommon things if they have an uncommon work ethic and environment that nurtures uncommon results.
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