It has been an interesting series between the Atlanta Hawks and the Miami Heat. Both teams have ratcheted up the physicality and the list of injured is growing on both sides. I know Kenny Smith on TNT keeps talking about how he hates the Hawks half-court offense, he calls it dribble-dribble, dribble-dribble... But I actually think it works well for the mix of speed and athleticism that the Hawks have.

But what I wanted to talk about was this one play at the end of the 3rd quarter. The game was already well in hand with the Hawks up by 15 or so, but I think it illustrates an important point for all coaches to consider. If you like to play fast, you teach your players to close out shooters and run out on the break. That's what the Heat do here, but it backfires on them on and Flip Murray of the Hawks gets the offensive rebound and goes to the hoop and picks up the foul and makes 2 FTs,



I guess what I'm trying to say is not so much that teaching the run out is a bad strategy or tactic. But that as a coach, you have to do a cost-benefit analysis. How many more points can we score with the run out versus how many points we give up by allowing more offensive rebounds against. Much also depends on the talent of your players. Against a much bigger team you may give up more offensive rebounds anyways, so running out may make sense. Or even with a run out, how many points can you expect to score if you have a slow team.

Obviously, in this scenario at the end of the quarter, it would've been ideal to say always block out first. It requires a player with a high basketball IQ to recognize that in an end of quarter/game scenario, the better option is to block out and rebound down. But as coaches we often teach players not to over-think and just do, so Cook was just doing as opposed to thinking.

Summary:

Its perhaps presumptuous to say that had the Heat secured the rebound, gone the other way and scored, maybe they would have won the game. But still, one cannot underestimate the psychological impact of closing to within 11 or 10 points.

As for the series overall, the Heat have still been too inconsistent shooting from the outside to win this series. Kudos to Hawks head coach Mike Woodson for sticking with the defensive strategy of forcing the Heat to beat them with outside shooting. With the exception of Game 2, the Heat have really struggled to find any kind of shooting rhythm, and as the series has gotten more physical, the harder it has even become. The problem for the Hawks though, is that this strategy will only work with the Heat, the Cavs are too good of a shooting team for it to work against the Cavs.

For more rebounding information, check out Jim Calhoun's brand new DVD on Rebounding and Basketball Wisdom. Coach Calhoun is the long time head coach of the UConn Huskies who made it to this season's Final Four in Detroit. Don't forget to check out the X's and O's Basketball Forum to discuss this and any of your favorite basketball topics.

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The Celtics vs Bulls series has definitely been the most entertaining to watch, yet as a coach its been interesting to dissect some of the good plays, and the bad ones as well. Of course, last night's game was controversial mainly due to how it ended, was the Rondo foul on Miller flagrant or not? As a coach though, the more relevant and important question was how did he get so open (a missed defensive assignment) in the first place?

In my opinion, the turning point of the game was in the fourth quarter when the Bulls had an 11 point lead heading into the stretch run with 6 minutes or so to go in the game. A turnover, a bad shot, a defensive lapse, and a Ray Allen 3-pointer gave the Celtics momentum and allowed them to claw back into the game. Here is that 1-minute sequence,



The turnover from Derrick Rose leading to a Rondo layup seems obvious, but I wanted to point out why as coaches we should think twice about starting drives from the top of the key, as opposed to the wing. If you turn the ball over on a drive from the top of the key, it allows the offense to get a jump on primary break with your only safety being the 5 man,

If it is an end of quarter or end of game play, and you want to go 1-4 low, that works because it is the last possession play. But I think during the game, it leaves you vulnerable for the easy run out.

On the Ray Allen 3-pointer, it was just a bad defensive sequence. Ray Allen is able to turn the corner on the attempted hedge on the ball screen, kicks it back out to Rondo, then nobody picks up Allen as he clears out to the corner,


Summary:

Basketball is a game of runs and as a coach, you have to recognize when one of those runs is happening either in your favor or against you. The Bulls probably go ahead and win the game if they hunkered down and concentrated a little harder in this key moment of the game. If they had held that 11 point lead for 1 or 2 more possessions, the game would've probably been out of reach for the Celtics.

Looking for more coaching prep tips and practice info, look no further than Don Meyer's Winning Playbook DVD. Coach Meyer is the head coach of DivII Northern State University and the all-time winningest coach in college basketball history. Head over to the X's and O's Basketball forum to discuss this and many more of your favorite basketball topics.

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I caught the first half of the game between the Denver Nuggets and the New Orleans Hornets last night and the entire game -- entire series for that matter -- was summed up in one word -- toughness. The Nuggets have it, the Hornets are running away from it, and that is the fundamental difference between the two teams, it is the Nuggets that will have the last word when the series is over and done with.

As a player (and a not very good one), the worst insult I could ever receive was that I wasn't tough enough. Opponents, teammates, and coaches could all make fun of my shrimpy stature or lack of vertical, but nothing got me riled up more than if someone accused me of being soft. That attitude has translated into my coaching style. I don't care if people say our players lack height and size, can't shoot, can't run, etc... but I never want to hear that our players play soft, can't handle the physicality, or whine too much. The worst part of having a soft attitude is the fatalist mentality it engenders. Coaches, players all become excuse makers. Soft teams always find someone else to blame for their lack of toughness -- its the refs fault for not blowing the whistle, or the cliched "dirty play" usage. Teams that play tough always have the psychological advantage, which is why toughness -- physical and mental -- is so important in all sports.

Consider the following quotes. Here is one from Hornets head coach Byron Scott complaining about Nuggets guard Dahnte Jones physical defense on Hornets guard Chris Paul after the Game 1 loss:

I can appreciate anybody that plays hard, but when you get to the point where you're being a little dirty, that's the thing that kind of aggravates me. Being that I played in this league, I know how tough that is. But when you get to the point where you're being a little dirty then I don't appreciate that -- and I don't respect it.

In a different interview also after Game 1, Scott contradicts himself when he explains how the current NBA isn't nearly as physical as when he played (which I agree with) and that they should go back to that physicality:

This is still pitty-pat basketball to me. This is not physical and aggressive basketball the way it was in the '80s and '90s. This is so watered down compared to then that it's unbelievable. I wish they would go back to some of those rules from the '90s. It would separate the men from the boys.

Now this is a quote from Nuggets head coach George Karl after Game 2 responding to a question on the difference between physicality and "dirty play":

Usually winning and losing. The winning team thinks you're physical and the losing team thinks you're dirty. Playoff series can get intense and it might already be to the point that they don't like us and we don't like them. And that's the way it should be.

And another quote from Karl, also after Game 2 talking about how he expected the Hornets to respond to the physical play:

They’re going to be very angry and very physical. The game got a little more chippy tonight. It seemed like they were trying to tease us into mistakes and I’m sure it’s going to continue on the road. Coach (Byron) Scott is obviously upset with the physicality of the game and we’ll see where it goes.

Now, if you are a player for the Hornets and the Nuggets, how do you think you would respond given the different attitudes of your coaches? If you are a Hornet, you are probably thinking its OK to whine to the refs about rough play. If you are a Nugget, you are prepared to step up and maintain that psychological advantage.

For more ideas to incorporate toughness into your practices, check out Phil Martelli's DVD on Building Toughness in Practices. Coach Martelli is the head coach of St. Joseph's University. Discuss this and the rest of your favorite basketball topics at the X's and O's Basketball Forum.

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I watched a couple of halves of the Cleveland Cavaliers versus Detroit Pistons series. While on the one hand, certainly Lebron James and the Cavs looked invincible -- to me, I felt that the Pistons really just didn't play good enough defense. They had the right idea to double-team Lebron James, but they just didn't commit themselves enough to the double-teams and proper rotations. If you don't commit yourselves completely to a defensive strategy, it doesn't stand a chance to succeed.

I took a few sequences from last night's game in the second half. The double-teams come but they're just too soft and non-committal. Another major problem was double-teaming some of the other Cavs players, rotating off of Lebron James. Take a look,



In trying to trap Lebron James on the pick and roll, the weakside must rotate to take away the roll. Anderson Varejao sets the screen, the Pistons choose to double-team Lebron, Varejao rolls to the basket.

You can see the 2 pistons defenders trapping, and the 2 down low. Now, you don't want the corner defender to rotate down because that would leave a wide open 3-pointer. So Antonio McDyess is the one that is supposed to rotate down, he's just too slow to do that.


Summary:

At the moment, the Cavs certainly look like the team to beat throughout this playoffs, as they've improved their lineup especially with better outside shooting. In other words, the packline defense against the Cavs won't work anymore. But I'm looking forward to seeing what a good defensive team can do against the Cavs. If/when the Lakers face the Cavs, they have the kind of team that can double and rotate quick enough.

As for the Pistons, it is somewhat surprising how far they have fallen, especially considering their dominance defensively the past few years. While defense wasn't the only reason why they lost this series, it certainly was a major contributing factor, then again, we'll see if any team will be able to stop the Cavs as they go through these playoffs.

For more info on trapping defenses, take a look at Roy Williams's DVD on his Scramble Defense. Coach Williams is the head coach of the 2009 National Champion UNC Tar Heels. As always, head over to the X's and O's Basketball forum to talk with other coaches about your favorite basketball topics.

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The last day or so, I've heard a lot of talk on TV and the radio about whether or not certain star players need to score a certain amount of points in order for the team to win. In Houston, they're wondering whether it is a bad thing that Yao Ming only went 2-for-7, yet the Rockets still won. In Dallas, Dirk Nowitzki goes 4-for-9 and 12 points, the Mavs win, and people are wondering what's wrong with Dirk.

From a coaches perspective, it never really concerns me who gets the points, but rather what is important is whether we are executing properly as a team on offense; whether players are in the right position to make the correct decisions and reads. If Yao is being double-teamed, it makes sense to pass out and find the open teammate. If Przybilla is being physical and full-fronting with backside support, it makes sense to reverse the ball to the weakside. If Josh Howard against Michael Finley is a better 1v1 matchup, then by all means go to it.

Obviously there is no such thing as an equal opportunity offense, the more skilled and talented players will naturally end up taking the majority of shots. And of course, you want to be the aggressor on offense. But to a certain extent, good offense will be dictated based on what the defense gives you. For example, if the other team is playing a packline defense, it doesn't really make sense to keep pounding the ball into the paint. Similarly, if a team is over-playing all the passing lanes, it just makes common sense to go backdoor.

For a newer drill and winning program tips, check out Tom Izzo's new DVD on Warmup Drills and Winning basketball. Coach Izzo is the long time head coach of Michigan State who recently played in the National Championship 2009. Don't forget to check out the X's and O's Basketball Forum to discuss this and any of your favorite basketball topics.

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After an impressive Game 1 start, the Dallas Mavs relapsed into defensive ineptitude and allowed Spurs point guard Tony Parker to torch them for 38 points and a blowout win in San Antonio. Erick Dampier came out the day after and proclaimed through the media that he was going to put Parker on the ground. Though it wasn't the wisest thing to say publicly, in my opinion the message was directed at his own teammates -- we need to step up and take responsibility.

Last night, the Mavs did just that. As good as their offense is, everyone knows that playoff basketball is about defense. And the road will only get tougher, if the Mavs cannot stop Tony Parker, what chance do they have against Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, or Lebron James? In order to stop the great players, it required a total team effort and smart defensive play, and I felt collectively the Mavs did that in stopping Parker. Here are few defensive highlights from the first half before Popovich pulled all his starters,



I felt that starting JJ Barea was the right move by Carlisle. He has the speed to stay with Parker as see in the one sequence. But the Mavs also had great help defense all-around from Dampier, Howard, JET, Kidd, and Dirk. I wanted to highlight this one play because I think it's just a smart defensive play. On the rotation, J Kidd is left to closeout on Parker. Instead of leaving his feet and flying at him, Kidd knows that Parker isn't really a 3-point threat. So he chops his feet and stays down, forces Parker to put the ball on the floor to beat him. Then he makes another great play by anticipating the spin move by Parker and keeping him in front, forcing Parker to travel,


Summary:

I'm still sticking with my pre-playoff prediction that the Mavs will go on to win this series. How well they do beyond, against the Nuggets/Hornets, Jazz/Lakers, Blazers/Rockets, really depends on how well they play defensively. The Mavs have all the offensive abilities to score against even the best of defensive teams, but they need consistent defensive performances to win the Championship. Can they do it? Certainly possible, but it all depends on whether the whole team (players and coaches) can commit to it.

For a brand new video on defense, check out Seth Greenberg's DVD on closing out and Defense in Special Situations. Coach Greenberg is the head coach at Virginia Tech. Don't forget to check out the X's and O's Basketball Forum to discuss this and any of your favorite basketball topics.

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In playing against the Philadelphia 76ers, it's all about transition defense. They play a very uptempo, fast-breaking style, with their athletic guards in Andre Iguodala and Andre Miller. The Orlando Magic are the better team, but if they allow the 76ers to get into the open court and make plays which happened in the 4th quarter of Game 1, bad things happen.

Against a good fast-break team like the 76ers, you need to do 2 things defensively. First, is to take care of the ball on offense and take good shots. Second, your players have to get back on defense and be aware of where the ball is and where it is going to go. In the following sequences, the Magic make some mistakes offensively with some turnovers and bad shots, but I give them credit for making good plays in transition defense to make up for sloppy offense,



Right after Magic guard Courtney Lee makes a bad pass on the fast break -- jumping in the air trying to pass to a forward with his back turned -- Lee hustles back on defense and intercepts a baseball pass by 76ers Reggie Evans. Most fast-breaking teams are coached to outlet the ball as fast as possible, this often leads to players heaving one downcourt without really looking. They gamble because often times the defense is slow to react. Not this time,

In this sequence, 76ers guard Andre Iguodala is flying towards the basket with his head down. Magic defender Michael Pietrus steps up and takes one in the chest and gets the charge call on Iguodala,


Teams that play fast in transition often play out of control. That is the way they are coached, they play fast and sometimes border on reckless. Defensively, you want to take advantage of the offense's propensity to gamble and play overly aggressive.

Summary:

This series is all about tempo. If the Magic can force the 76ers to play a halfcourt possession style game, the 76ers have no chance, they have nobody to matchup against Dwight Howard, even when they double. However, if the Magic take bad shots and turn the ball over, they allow the 76ers to get into their offense.

For more video info on transition defense, take a look at Kelvin Sampson's DVD on defensive transition drills. Coach Sampson is an assistant coach with the Milwaukee Bucks. Don't forget to check out the X's and O's Basketball Forum to discuss this and any of your favorite basketball topics.

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