Tuesday, May 14, 2013

To run or not to run

You don't run the break because it is fun or because fans like it or because it makes easier to recruit a certain type of player. You run because sometimes it is good basketball and it helps you to win games. Obviously, sometimes it is NOT good basketball to run and it does NOT help you win ballgames.

A good coach knows the difference. A great coach is able to teach his players when it is the proper time to run and the proper time to hold up - and that evidently is a hard thing to teach. Basketball players by the nature of the game like to show off, and they get to show off when they run, so they like to run. When running leads to a high-percentage basket or a foul on the other team, it was good basketball. When it leads to turnovers and sloppy play, it is not good basketball. When slowing down misses opportunities for easy points, you are playing into the hands of the opponent and looking a gift horse in the mouth.

OK, coach, teach them the difference - that ain't my job.

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