First of all, this article is about all of us, because this is human nature. If you don't say some of these things, chances are pretty good you've thought about some of this stuff. Just sit in a crowd of people during a basketball game and listen to all the things that you hear. It is astounding to listen to all of the philosophies that each of us have about the game. Even sitting in a room of coaches, we all have a certain way that we think is the "right" way to play. We've all played the game, we watch hundreds of high school, college, and pro games and somehow that makes us the foremost expert on what needs to happen. Yes, I've even found myself guilty of this from time to time. The fact is though, if we aren't in the practices to see what is being taught and how it is being taught, then how do we know what is best for a particular team or an individual player? For example, if they don't practice a specific shot because it is not a part of their offense, then why are we yelling at them to shoot the basketball in those situations. That is like putting your 12 year old in your new car and yelling at them to drive and drive faster! Just like them never having driven a car, they haven't practiced that shot either. They don't need to shoot it in a game. The same thing is true on defense. If they don't practice playing a certain way on defense, then they don't need to try to do that during their game. My reason for this article is to try to convince my readers that there are a thousand ways to win in the game of basketball. It doesn't need to be done your way or my way, the most important thing is that your players know "their way." Your program must have an identity. Your players must know what they are doing and why they are doing it. Whatever it is, they go through it time after time during practice. They are trained and drilled to a specific action that they do over and over. Here is the best part of this...it can be any style, if you believe in it and you can teach it...it will be successful!
Let's take a look at some of the NCAA national champions since 2000. Michigan State and Tom Izzo. They play as fast in transition as anyone in the country. They run the sideline break, which is often referred to as the North Carolina Break and popularized by Hall of Fame coach Dean Smith. Yes, they run different actions from the UNC teams, but it is in theory the same style. They also play a sagging man to man defense. I didn't say a "no pressure" defense, I said a sagging man to man. This is often categorized as "packline" defense. They do not deny passes, instead they play inside the packline and protect the paint to keep the ball out of the lane. Offensively, Michigan State loves to runs plays, and they run a ton of them. This style is similar to the pro game, because in the NBA they only have :24 to get a shot up, and they need actions to quickly get them looks.
Duke has won two championships in the 2000's and they have morphed over the years. They denied passes when one pass away in 2001. In 2010, they stopped denying the wing entry pass because they were getting beat by all the dribble penetration in the ACC. Teams were becoming more athletic and using the dribble to get into gaps of Duke's defense, so they decided they needed to change. They did and they won once again in 2010. They have also phased from a motion offense to a spread offense and they have utilizied more ball screens. The point is you must do what is best for your team, and what is going to beat the best teams on your schedule.
Maryland and coach Gary Williams used the Flex offense and a variety of full court zone presses to the 2002 National Championship.
In 2003, Syracuse and Jim Boeheim used half court zone defenses, such as the 2-3 and the match-up zone all the way to the championship.
Florida won back to back National Championships with Spread Pick n' Roll Offense.
North Carolina won twice with a fast transition game and hard nosed man to man denial defense.
It doesn't matter what style you play, they can all win! Winning comes down to players. If you have the talent you've got a chance. If you don't have the talent...then you better build a solid fundamental base, work hard on skill development, and do whatever you can to make your players better. Even in those down years when the skill isn't quite there...their will to succeed...and sound basketball fundamentals will give them a chance to win games and possibly have a winning season.
Yours in Hoops,
Josh Williams
Head Girls Basketball Coach
Clinton High School
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