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Game + Game = Game

Posted in New Posts, News on August 23rd, 2012 by Troy Miles

PRO SKILLS + LESS THAN PRO APPLICATION=

QUASI-PRO

PRO SKILLS + PRO APPLICATION=

PRO

james-hardens-quotes-5

 A Pro with consistent quality application is an All-Pro

An All-Pro with consistent quality application is a Hall-of-Famer

 

The first prerequisite for being able to “play” is to have the skill set to “play”.

 

However just having the skill set to “play” DOES NOT mean you play the game well.  The critical aspect in the equation is how you APPLY YOUR SKILL SETS during play. Therefore, your ER (efficiency rating)  or how you operate  during actual play is more critical than your PR (proficiency rating) or skill package in a vacuum (outside of game conditions).

Related: “Evaluation Fixation”  –The Virtual Game of Basketball

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Black to the Future

Posted in New Posts, News on March 25th, 2012 by Jerald Wrightsil

Earl Monroe :Winston-Salem State 1967

 

The Aftermath:   Historically Black Colleges & the NCAA

 

On the eve of the NCAA Basketball’s Showcase, globally known as March Madness, brackets are established and the lines of competition are formally drawn.  One annual line item that is a consistently intriguing question for me is: “Why is it that the Historically Black Colleges always placed in a position that seems destined for failure?”  When is the last time that an HBC school won two (2) games in the NCAA tournament?  When is the last time that an HBC advanced into the round of 16?  Is that possibility even within the realm of being realistic in today’s sports climate?  The answer to that question is the obvious “NO”!

In an era of high stakes, complex economic, major tv rights NCAA sports, we must come to the realization that the NCAA has no economic value in even the existence of the once prominent list of Historically Black Colleges.  Sixty (60) years ago schools such as Grambling, Morgan State, Florida A&M, Howard, and Winston-Salem were the driving factor for every young African American aspiring athlete’s path to success.  Now, and its very well documented, that time has long passed these schools as the once off-limit universities finally realized that big time athletes equate into big time financial success for institutions across the nations.  Race is secondary to dollars!!!

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The Truth About Tony (Wroten)

Posted in New Posts, News on March 11th, 2012 by Troy Miles

Of course by now the whole world knows what we in Seattle have known since his days at the Rotary (Boy’s and Girls Club)…. Tony Wroten is a basketball phenom headed to the NBA on the draft day express.  He’ll have a guaranteed rookie contract waiting on him, but who knows what else.

He’s perhaps the most compelling and polarizing Seattle-raised sports star (definitely Husky) ever. However, as tremendous as he is, his glaring weaknesses and emotional antics (personally I think his celebrations are reasonable, as long as he doesn’t include opponents in the displays) make him a target in the sports community.  He’s such a talent and has created such a high expectation– in such a short period I might add, that apparently, too many people have forgotten he’s just a kid; and quite honestly, one in a very delicate situation (back to that shortly).

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No One Cares If It Ain’t Fair

Posted in New Posts, News on October 29th, 2010 by Troy Miles

Let’s be honest.  Not all coaches are fair. They all seem to want to win, but some are hell- bent on winning a certain way, and that may or may not include your services– in the beginning. Sometimes no matter how well you perform, coaches- especially at the college or pro level or any situation where they have a plethora of options, may not play you … just because. You choose it. He may not like something about your game, something about you, or whatever. It really could be… just because? SMH

I personally believe that coaches who don’t allow the players to decide who plays (based on their play), should be lined  up and exterminated.  It goes against the true spirit of competition and our american principles. It’s beyond wrong – but it happens all the time. And worse, everyone seems to stand idly by and let it happen.

The answer, if you find yourself “caught up”…

Resist the urge to whine to that seemingly sympathetic ear. Your teammates- and others want to support you (usually), but in reality they’re  singularly focused on their own circumstance. The assistant coaches will give  you the good cop, bad cop (head coach) routine. Uggh! (Remain pleasant).

However, the only real way to change your circumstance is to continue to demonstrate (every second) what you’re capable of and by maintaining a positive and supremely joyous attitude.  If you truly deserve to play, everyone knows it- including the head coach.

There’s usually some block (rational or irrational) in the mind of a coach who doesn’t play a person who deserves to play.  Remaining positive and gracious will eventually allow him or her to save face when your play demands that you be included- if only to preserve the integrity of the group. If you keep performing, something will give and sooner than it seems while your caught up in it (not playing).

Once the paradigm shift happens  and the coaches’ perception of you changes, he’ll (if only privately)  have a greater amount of respect for you and will typically be better able to evaluate you at face value. Equally important, he will eventually allow you to flourish according to your capabilities… and deservedly so!

So let’s clear the air.  No one cares if it ain’t fair. So in order to fare well, you’ll have to handle your circumstance well.  Don’t dwell on the negative.  Give all that you’ve got to get it done and cold-filter the rest (of the BS).  Trust me… I’ve been there!

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D is Key… If You Ask Me

Posted in New Posts, News on October 19th, 2010 by Troy Miles

When we typically think of a minute, it’s no big deal. Quietly, we give away minutes  everyday. “Ahh.. it’s okay, no problem.”  However, when it comes to sports and competition, a minute (of playing time) is golden.  In fact, getting as many as possible is always way up there on the short list of any true competitor.

Basketball players are no different.  Players are vying for those precious  rotation spots and desired role definitions as I type. Gym shoes are squeaking, elbows are flying as everyone is giving their all to play. Everyone should want to play and  everyone should want to be productive in any manner to help the team … although, I’m sure “scorer” would probably be the most desired description in the lineup.  You’re main concern should be to get out on the floor by any means (role) necessary! Which basically means expanding your value to the team at all times.

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If you ask me, D is the key.

It seems fewer people truly understand the science of defense.  How many players today are actually interested in playing it… Tell me the last time you heard of or saw a player stick out his chest and say “I got D”, as a way to represent himself?

“The Virtual Game of Basketball” Learn to take your man to S.C.H.O.O.L defensively

Great defenders are part of the fabric of any successful team. Additionally, establishing yourself  as a bona-fide on-ball defender or a “Carom Scare ’em” of a rebounder, is not only a sure-fire way to make the team, but also a sound strategy to earn minutes- whatever level you play. Fierce defenders manage to keep top offensive players out of rhythm and help to disrupt the overall offensive flow of the other team- which should be the most important defensive key. Rugged rebounders on the other hand, secure and provide extra possessions for their teams.

The strategy for rebounding starts with P&P: Probability and Proximity.  Probability is the summation of facts to determine the likely destination of the ball following a missed shot. Proximity is a strategy for getting as close as you can, as soon as you can, to that location. “The Virtual Game of Basketball”

Ever notice how great  rebounders find themselves on top teams (Lol). Look at this short list of  top rebounders  from throughout history. They’ve all put on championship rings at the professional level.  Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlin, Nate Thurmond, Wes Unseld, Paul Silas, Maurice Lucas, Robert Parrish, Bill Walton, Dennis Rodman, Ben Wallace and I’m sure I missed a few. Sorry Ron Ron!

Dennis Rodman, Chicago Bulls

The truth is, no matter how tough you are as a team on a particular defensive stand, without the rebound you’re still on D.  Key stops  and  rebounds are game changing moments, and the players responsible are “Mo-Men” or momentum changers. Every team needs one… or two.

Shot-blockers fit into this category as well. Terrific shot-blockers can change an offensive scheme  quick, fast and in a hurry.  Ever heard of those “Georgetown Boys” (Patrick Ewing , Dikembe Mutumbo and Alonzo Mourning)?

If rebounding, shot-blocking and on-ball D are not your most distinguishable attributes, you can still earn time as a legitimate “Lane Patrol Officer” (off-ball defender). On duty officers solidify “gap management” (“help” situations) and can come up big with timely steals.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to limit you to the role of “specialist”- far from it. Instead, I’m trying to provide you with a mindset and platform that will give you the opportunity to do many of the things that you’re capable of. I don’t care how much game you got, you can’t express yourself (outside of the cheering capacity) from the bench. Realistically, the differences between capable players is marginal. Therefore you have got to have something about your offering that separates you from the other guy or gal, trying to get in where they fit in.  One or more of these roles, whether primary or secondary could be the difference for you in your circumstance.

IF YOU MAKE IT TO THE FLOOR, there will be opportunities to score and do other things  galore. I’ll say it ’til I’m hoarse…It’s all about doing what you’re coached to do and also doing what you are capable of doing- inside the context of the team strategy–of course. Unfortunately, it’s not at all possible to dial in, until the coach calls your number.  So do ALL you can do to make it to the “favorites” list  on your team, so you too can hear the sweet ringing of your name being called… perhaps over and over again.

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