Most people who are employed to write about basketball are clueless. Many of the individuals who discuss it and get paid on TV are just as bad; maybe worse, especially when it comes to the NBA playoffs. Look I understand we’re all entitled to our opinion, but there’s too many people out there that send mixed messages.
Long story short; you hear and read about all the pundits who want basketball played the right way in America, right? The fans are tired of seeing showboating, high-flying slam dunks, trash talking both to the opponent and their own coach, one-on-one play and of course the fans are upset at the players who are all about ‘self’ over team play.
Purists of the game want to see team play, sharing of the ball, pulling for each other, moving without the ball and superb defense, right? Playing for the name on the front of the jersey instead of the back?
So along come the San Antonio Spurs who play the right way. Pop’s bunch finished the regular with the best record in the Western Conference (61-21). They run their sets sharp, share the ball with each other, push the ball in transition, they defend, play hard and are always looking for the quick hitter. They also have solid bench play. And now some ‘bonehead’ on TV says they don’t want to see the Spurs in the Finals because they are boring.
Huh?
Do you recall a couple of summers ago Jordan Crawford dunked the ball in a pick up game at LeBron’s camp and the Mothership turned it into ‘can’t miss t.v.’? The Motherships’ Top 10 Plays of the Day are always slam dunks too. When was the last time you saw a pick and roll on that list?
Shooting the ball from the outside has been a topic over the years that many discuss; the pundits say it’s very bad in today’s game; but the Spurs led the NBA in 3-pt shooting this past season after years of throwing the ball inside. San Antonio has 4 guys with over 100 made 3′s.
My guy @HoopsJunkie 77 on Twitter hit the nail on the head this morning with this tweet, “You look at the game like a coach & appreciate the game within the game, so do I. Most people want to be entertained.”
Well said my brother!
I shake my head when I listen to sports talk radio hosts go on and on about something they have no idea about. I laugh when I listen to so-called ‘experts’ on TV breaking down the game or when I read sports writers when they write about basketball. You can’t have it both ways; you want team basketball in the finals or do you want a bunch of individuals who make spectacular plays?
I just wish they would get it right.
hoops135@hotmail.com
Follow me on Twitter: @CoachFinamore
As a high school coach for a girls varsity team I weed out most of what I see or hear about NBA basketball. It feels like we don’t even play the same sport. I like coaching my girls because sucess on this level relies more on fundamentals and strategy than high flying theatrics and egotistical drama.
Coach,
I love your words; great insight. Hope you are well.
>>When was the last time you saw a pick and roll on that list?
deja vu . Coach Wooden was quoted with roughly this identical observation regarding then infatuation with the 3 point shot. I believe he concluded if “that line” is worth 3 points then a well executed pick and roll should be 4.
Thanks Johnny…Always hit the open man!