JUMP IT UP

Last night I watched two NBA games; Cavaliers and Celtics/Nuggets and Warriors.

NBA.com with the C’s-Cavs story.  Rajon Rondo of the Celtics got off to a great start; he scored 10 points in the first quarter and the C’s got off to a 31-21 lead.  But the Cavaliers battled back and won the game by 20, 108-88.  Sure Lebron James scored 36 points but it was the bench play of the Cavs that got them back into the game.  Their hustle and defense was a key.

“The star of the game for them was Varejao,” (Doc) Rivers said. “He was absolutely amazing with his energy, with his defense; he kept the ball alive. He kept them within striking range in the first half.”

As for the Nuggets and Warriors, NBA.com story – well let’s just say Doug Collins of TNT said it best when he stated the Warriors were playing with a D-League frontline.  There’s no way you’re going to win against one of the better teams in the league like that.  Rookie sensation Stephen Curry put in his usual work but Chauncey Billups let him know that the kid still has a ways to go.

“It’s games like tonight that get my attention, a team that’s under .500,” Martin said. “Guys always show up to play money games. That’s not my concern. We could be better. I just think about losing to Philly at home, Minnesota at home, at Charlotte. Games like that, they’ll come back to bite you.”

Nuggets shot 16-27 from way downtown.

J.R. Smith of the Nuggets is unreal.  The guy has a ton of energy and is fearless.  At one stage he hit a long three point shot, ran back on defense and made a steal where he pushed the ball and drilled another three.  Smith connected on 7 of 13 from deep.

Don’t buy into “teams that run will turn it over”. Warriors had only 11 turnovers last night.  You often hear people say teams that fastbreak will turn it over; that’s not always the case if you are smart with the ball.  Take care of the ball; every possession counts.

Watch this clip, is it an offensive foul or not?

“Excellence is to do a common thing in an uncommon way.”

-Booker T. Washington

-Coach Finamore

Hoops135@hotmail.com

HE-HAWES

We all like to speak our mind.  We all have opinions that like to be heard (whether people are listening or not). There are sports talk radio shows, fan message boards, websites and of course blogs.

The media has been around forever. Athletes conduct an interview and BOOM, their words are in black and white the following morning.  Let’s not forget about Twitter and Facebook.

Basketball players are no different; they all want playing time.  When they don’t get the amount of clock they think they deserve; most of them speak out.

(Thanks Slamonline.com)

Sac Bee on Spencer Hawes of the Sacramento Kings found himself in street clothes for the Pistons game Tuesday night.  Seems like Mr. Hawes voiced his opinion on Paul Westphal’s rotation.

“All year we’ve kind of been dealing with that,” he said. “When you think you have kind of gotten over that hump, it comes back up again. That’s the philosophy, so you’ve just got to deal with it.

“Everyone up and down the roster has had a taste of that, so everyone can relate. I think it’s kind of tough, the not-knowing part on a game-to-game basis, to get in that rhythm. But that’s the way it’s going and there’s not a whole lot you can do about it.”

Sorry Mr. Hawes, it really isn’t an issue.  The coach makes the moves, simple as that.

Philadelphia Inquirer on Herb Magee and his 903 wins.  WOW! Congrats coach…

Magee earned career win No. 903 last night when his Philadelphia University team defeated Goldey-Beacom College, 76-65, in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference game. The victory at the Gallagher Athletic Center enabled the 68-year-old to break the record he shared with Bob Knight.

Newark Star-Ledger on former Christ the King/St. John’s center Jayson Williams sentenced to 18 months in prison.

At the height of his success, he was a millionaire many times over, a charismatic regular on late-night talk shows and a bon vivant whose travels through Manhattan’s nightlife — celebrities at his side — made him a frequent boldface name in gossip columns.

“Some people succeed because they are destines to, but most people succeed because they are determined to…”

-Roscoe Dunjee

-Coach Finamore

Hoops135@hotmail.com

D-FENCE!

It’s amazing how well someone can defend when it is emphasized.

I have seen players step it up when they are told over and over the importance of ball pressure, helping and having active hands.

Why can’t everyone on the floor defend as hard as they can when they are given the opportunity?

Why do players have to relax on the defenisve end? Not chase down loose-balls with all their heart and soul? Why must they be late on close-outs and most of all, how come players don’t step in and draw the charge?

Bounce on defense, be active, be alive.  Move your feet, box out on a shot, pursue the ball, act like you want to be out on the floor playing lock-down defense!

Jackson Cit-Pat on Detroit Pistons head coach John Kuester and players who want more playing time.

“We can’t afford for guys to say, ‘Hey, I need to work my way into it,’ ” Kuester said. “You’ve got to be ready to go.”

In the end, it’s all about effort and production.

“How do you get more minutes?” Kuester asked. “Be more productive in the minutes that you’re given.”

To me, it’s a great message; one that should be known at the high school, college and pro level.  It’s a shame but too many people think they are entitled to minutes.  Sorry but it doesn’t work that way.  You work your tail off and then you are given minutes.  Same goes for practice.  You work your tail off in practice, coach see’s it and rewards you with minutes.  But be careful, maybe there is someone else working just as hard as you.  So you better produce when the time comes.

Pretty simple.

Mike Pryson of the Jackson Cit-Pat on the lack of offensive production at the high school level in Jackson, Michigan.

“You don’t know how much you really can do until you stand up and decide to try.”

-Source unknown

-Coach Finamore

Hoops135@hotmail.com

BENCH MOB

While sipping my coffee this afternoon in a local coffee spot in town, a casual basketball fan approached me and we began discussing our favorite sport.   This guy favors the women’s game.  It’s all good.

“I was at the Michigan State game last night and my only problem was the coach didn’t empty the bench when they were up 20.” he informed me.

I looked at him and chose my words carefully.

“Well my friend, a 20 point lead is never safe.” I assured him.

“Yeah but it was towards the end of the game, come on, put the subs in.” he pleaded.

Again, I was careful with my counter. “It’s not that easy.  You don’t understand what can be going through that coach’s mind”, I said.

He gave me a quizzical look.

“Those subs might not of been doing well in practice, maybe they have been discipline problems or better yet, maybe they haven’t been fulfilling their academic obligations.” I added.

Who really knows why a coach doesn’t empty the bench.  Who really cares. Let a coach coach the game.  Just watch it and enjoy it.  Besides, playing time is earned, it’s not about entitlement.  If the coach wants to play the top 7 or 8 players, so be it.

Lansing State Journal on MSU men’s head coach Tom Izzo‘s comments on a walk-on who has been getting playing time.

“He didn’t play as good, he didn’t play as solid tonight,” Izzo said. “I told him when he came out the last time, ‘Hey, do what you can do. We’ll grow on what you can’t do in the summer. But what you can do, you can’t mess those things up.”

“The minute you start playing then you see stars and lights and then you kind of start thinking, ‘I’m a shooter,’ ” Izzo said. “Kebler is making some progress but we’re not naming any buildings after him yet.”

-Coach Finamore

Hoops135@hotmail.com

BELLY UP

Our team (Jackson Community College) lost a tough game last night at home to Lansing C.C. We played a solid 30 minutes of basketball but had a 10 minute stretch where we were pressurred into some turnovers; which led to buckets for LCC. We need to get it going at practice  with better defense and some more rebounding and come out Saturday and get the win.  We had a great crowd at the game.  Saw a lot of our atheletes from other sports supporting their fellow classmates!

Darko gets traded from the Knicks to the T-Wolves.  WOW! Where are all those so-called experts that said he was a can’t-miss ‘phenom’ who was fundamentally sound; Euro who plays the right way, etc. Blah, Blah, Blah!

Antwan Jamison to the Cavs? Oh no, the rich just got richer…The Washington Wizards had so much promise back in November.

Tonight’s TV blockbuster line-up: Nuggets and Cavs on TNT at 8PM. Syracuse and Georgetown at 7PM ESPN. Lakers and Celtics 10:30 on TNT.

The New York Daily News on Nate Robinson and the possible trade to the Celtics for Eddie House.  Some harsh words from Frankie Isola, author of the article.

It was a quiet exit for the loudest, and perhaps most annoying player, to ever wear a Knicks uniform. The fans may have loved the diminutive, ultra-athletic Robinson, but Mike D’Antoni had little use for the Lil’ Him.

New York Times on Dana Kirk who passed away at the age of 74.

“Be yourself, be tenacious, be kind and be thankful.”

-Chris Widener