Rating A Basketball Coach (2001 NBA Finals)
by Sidney Goldstein Copyright © 2001
(revised)
There are at least 3 ways
to rate a coach. One, game coaching ability is the least important,
because coaches usually plan strategy ahead of time, not invent
it during the game. Coaches with less experienced players have
virtually no chance to strategize. Instructing more knowledgeable
players in a game falls into a different category.
A second way to evaluate a coach is his teaching ability. How
much does each player improve individually. Consider moves, passing
ability, decision making, shooting, foul shooting, and each other
skill. Improvement should be dramatic.
A third is understanding the game. What is most important for
your team to play well and win? The answer to this one is simple,
yet pro coaches regularly do not heed these maxims:
1. basketball is a physical game: at the pro level, if you are
ready to win the fight you are ready to win the game. No finesse
please.
2. only the conditioned will survive: players need to be as strong
and fast as possible. Weight training and cardiovascular conditioning
(running) are essential.
3. the team that owns the area around the basket, I call it the
"blood and guts" area, wins the game. Offensive and
defensive rebounding are critical.
4. the team with the most 3 foot or less shots usually wins:
you always need to push the ball inside on offense.
5. a good defense can mute a good offense, not the other way
around.
How do pro and college coaches measure up and what are some indications? Most college and pro coaches have absorbed tons of information
about basketball. However, much of this info is bogus, not essential,
and misses the point. Some indicators to look for:
A.The Big Play is the most notable myth, because execution determines
offensive success, not the magic of a play. The bigger the play
book, the less the understanding of the game.
B. Players tiring out in the 2nd half because of a lack of conditioning.
Defense is nearly 100% conditioning. On offense, the ability
to run past defenders is an important facet, maybe the most important
part, of a player's game. Conditioning is the number one job
of a coach.
C. All pro and college players need to be in weight training
programs, so if you don't see players' muscles enlarging or more
muscle definition then we have another indicator.
D. If a coach expects to win games based on 3 point shooting
without an inside game, there is a problem. Add up the numbers:
the 3 pt shooting average is usually under 40%; the 3 foot shooting
average is probably double.
Working the ball inside (and out) has other beneficial effects:
* defense collapse allowing outside players less contested or
uncontested shots.
* puts the defense off balance, so inside cutters can be more
effective.
* prevents opponents from a quick transition to offense because
the defense is out-of-sync or stressed.
E. If a coach does not send players under the offensive boards
then there is a problem. Believe it or not, many teams rebound
poorly because they just do not send players to the boards. Like
Woody Allen says,"Showing up is 70% of success."
F. Consistency of play. Do players play the best way all the
time? Does the offense flow? Do players look inside or just settle
for an outside shot? Do players always go for offensive rebounds?
Do shooting and foul shooting averages vary greatly? And so on.
G. Probably the best way to rate a coach is to determine how
much the last ( or worst) players on the team develop. With
sensible effective training methods these players should greatly
improve.
How I rate coaches?
The two areas of most importance are understanding of the game
and teaching. Most pro coaches range between an A and C on understanding,
between C and E on teaching. College coaches usually fair lower
in both categories.
Of the two coaches in the 2001 finals, Phil Jackson, LA Lakers,
gets the highest grade on understanding. His teams usually do
it right. He gets the most from each player. He does a half decent
job teaching: Shaq has improved his game tremendously, yet unfortunately
has still not learned how to shoot well.
Larry Brown, Phila 76ers, receives an B+ to an A for understanding
and much less for teaching. He may know how the team is supposed
to play, but inconsistency shows that his training methods leave
a lot to be desired. One minute they look like a great team,
the next minute they look like they need help.
If I had more information on a team's practice methods I could
give a more accurate rating. Of course, both coaches have teams
that revolve around young superstars (Iverson and Bryant) that
regularly need calming down. And great athletes present formidable
defenses that greatly effect offensive play, especially if team
play is lacking. However, these coaches have the best players
in the world available for at least 4-8 hours a day about 9 months
a year. So, I expect they could do better.
Your comments are welcome.
Sidney Goldstein, author of
The Basketball Coach's Bible and The Basketball Player's Bible,
has successfully coached both men's and women's teams over a
period of 15 years.
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