Jack’s Blog

As coach of the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels, Jerry Tarkanian took his team to a prize fight (no doubt an NCAA violation of some sort) to make a point.  He wanted them to see the fighters enter the arena.  He told them, “Watch all the hangers-on, playing to the crowd, jumping up and down. shouting at people.  Then, take a look at the fighter.  His hood is over his head and his gaze is straight forward.  While everyone else is partying, he’s getting ready to enter a ring where the other guy wants to beat his brains out.  He’s totally focused.”

Before games today, at the high school, college or NBA level, teams huddle up and . . . dance!  John Wall started it with his “Dougie,” which is the rage among basketball players.  LeBron James has some interesting ways of preparing for games, both on an individual level and for his team.  Most of it is based on some type of clowning.  If asked, most certainly, LeBron would claim it is done to calm everybody’s nerves, not once realizing that, with his skill set, he could do most anything prior to playing and still dominate the game. 

Jerry Tarkanian, when asked what he thought about teams being uptight before games, said, “I want my guys to be uptight.  I want their veins popping out, their muscles quivering, sweat to pouring off them.”  Once Tark had a transfer from USC who went up to the coach and said he thought the team was too uptight, that he (the player) thought it would be a good idea to play music in the locker room - to loosen the guys up before the game - to get them ready to play.  Tark’s response was:

“If you got a call from somebody who said he was coming over to your house and he was going to kick your ass, what would you do - turn on some music?”

My close friend, Dave Severns, assistant coach for player development with the Los Angeles Clippers, and I were discussing the plethora of outstanding point guards.  Dave mentioned that the two most difficult positions to play (in team sports) are quarterback and point guard.  I’ve always felt point guard is tougher (not to devalue QB - see the 11/15/10 blog and the John Harbaugh quote regarding comparisons) because the point guard has to play both offense and defense and is handling the ball or guarding it 90% of the time.  One reason for our conversation was that the Clips had just played the Utah Jazz who has, arguably, the best lead guard in the league in Deron Williams.  Dave gets to watch these guys up close and we came to the conclusion that never before have there been as many great - and at all using that word lightly as often is the case in discussions in sports - point guards as there are today.  Williams is certainly one, but by no means is he the consensus pick.In fact, if you were a general manager and had to select a point guard for your team right now, you could be satisfied if you selected no higher than, say, tenth!  Really?  Let’s count them.  Beyond Williams, there’s Derrick Rose, another point whose name is bantered about as the best in the NBA.  As early as a few weeks ago, Rajon Rondo or Chris Paul was the sexy pick.There can’t be too many GM’s who’d be disappointed if they had to go into a game with Steve Nash as their starter at the one and, although he’s been in the league as long as nearly everyone else currently playing, Jason Kidd ruled the lead guard roost for quite a while.  The rap on Kidd was that he was a classic big guard who was an incredible passer, but couldn’t shoot.  His rookie year, he made just 27% of hos three-point attempts.  Now in his 19th season (yeah, nineteenth) his three-point accuracy is around 45% (after shooting over 42% from three-point land last year). Show me a coach who doesn’t moan and groan about how difficult it is for their point guard to keep Tony Parker from penetrating?  As far as young guards, last year’s rookie-of-the-year Tyreke Evans hasn’t played anywhere near the way he did last year, but the other candidates for ROY, Stephen Curry and Brandon Jennings wouldn’t disappoint too many clubs if they wound up on their rosters.  Plus, the youngest, John Wall, although beset by injuries recently, was the talk of the league from the summer league until he went down. The up-and-coming team in the NBA,

Oklahoma City, is led by Russell Westbrook who seems to be the perfect complement to future MVP Kevin Durrant.  And, as far as a good match for the team, I’m not so sure the Lakers would want anyone other than their two-headed point, Derek Fisher and Steve Blake.Nowhere in this conversation have the names Chauncey Billups or Devin Harris come up, neither of whom are slouches.  And there are more!  The position of point guard is as difficult a challenge as there is in team sports, but as George S. Patton said:“Accept the challenges so that you may feel the exhilaration of victory.”

John Wall recorded his first triple double of his career last night and even the Wizards can’t mess up this gold mine.  With his youth, naivete, freakishly good skill set and, of course, his Dougie’s, Wall might be not only the face of the Wiz but the cover boy for the entire NBA.

After the summer of “The Decision” and the anti-climatic way it’s played out (so far), the young, hip crowd might just be turning to what has defined the new breed: individualism.  Wall’s enthusiasm and exciting play - he’s more entertaining turning the ball over than many of the so-called stars are scoring - make him a crowd pleaser and “must-see” basketball.  Just wait until the stats come out that show what the attendance figures are when he goes on the road.

Washington is an absolutely miserable ball club, allowing Wall to be at his creative best.  It’s not like a bad game here or there will keep them out of the playoffs.  John Wall’s major problem is not the arenas he plays in but the Arenas he plays with.  It was reported that Wall and Agent 0 have been hanging out 24/7.  Separating them 24/7 would be a far better strategy.  Arenas is more like Agent O (standing for Orange) than Agent 0 (which many feel is the amount of good sense he possesses).

For the past month, every time Gilbert Arenas opens his mouth, it’s only to change feet.  Most in the know have said the only reason he’s still in Washington is because the team couldn’t find any takers.  The hope was, in this past election, he’d be ousted but, apparently, he ran unopposed.  The Wizards next hope is that Turkey calls, offering whatever it takes to bring him in as a foil to their latest treasure.  Why not?  There are so many questions about Arenas and Turkey now has the Answer.

If Wall and Arenas can co-exist on the same team, Flip Saunders ought to be named our next ambassador to the Middle East.  Rather than try to do what everyone believes is impossible (at least I haven’t heard anyone - who’s not crossing his fingers when he says it - claim otherwise), Arenas should, in regard to John Wall, take choice #3 of Thomas Paine’s famous quote:

“Lead, follow, or get out of the way.”�

It’s always interesting (for those of us to do this sort of thing) thinking about who, after all the draft hype, will eventually be the Rookie of the Year.  Sometimes, it’s a certainty, e.g. Lew Alcindor (remember him?), Patrick Ewing, Shaq and LeBron.  Barring injuries, no one really knows because, although the number one pick usually goes to a bad team and, thus, gets mega-minutes, other first rounders are put into positions which showcase their abilities and allow them to have big years.

Naturally, the overwhelming favorite this season will be John Wall.  Based on his first two summer league games, the ROY award’s going to be hard for anyone to take away from him.  But there are other candidates.  One, in particular, is the number two pick, Evan Turner.  Having played in college for a greater period of time must have helped with his maturity, as did playing on the Big Ten stage and having to be a leader for the Buckeyes - which he did magnificently.  Another factor in his favor is he will be coached by Doug Collins who, aside from being a terrific motivator and possessing an extremely keen basketball mind, was the number one pick coming out of Illinois State.  He will be a calming mentor to Turner.

Picks three and four, Derrick Favors of the Nets and Wesley Johnson of the Timberwolves, respectively, each were selected by bad teams desperately in need of immediate help at their positions so opportunity will be no problem and while their teams were lousy last year, each has complementary pieces who should allow the two newcomers to flourish in their extensive roles.

DeMarcus Cousins’ maturity has come under scrutiny - for which he has only himself to blame - but if his mental makeup can catch his physical stature, he also will be given a role in which he’ll get all he needs to prove himself - and will have a great point guard and guy who understands what it takes to win the award.

Gordon Hayward and Cole Aldrich may have hit the jackpot with the teams who drafted them but, while they’ll be happy to be in the situations that present themselves, they won’t be ROY candidates - which is as good as any rookie could hope - to be drafted by a good team which needs them but, more importantly, is just what they need.  As if the guaranteed money wasn’t enough of a bonus.

So, armed with all this knowledge, who will the 2011 NBA Rookie of the Year be?  My pick is . . . the Clippers’ Blake Griffin.  For all the reasons above - opportunity, need, big minutes, will be playing for Vinny Del Negro, under whose guidance Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson became NBA fixtures (defined - by me - as guys who will have minimum 10-year careers) and, add to that list, a hunger to make up two years in one.  

Those in the Clippers’ organization claim Griffin’s work ethic is unsurpassed.  And he has several others traits that ought to insure NBA longevity and stardom, e.g. skill set, strength, quickness, intelligence and high character.  After missing his first year in the league due to injury (the reason he’s eligible for the ROY award), Griffin is finally healthy.  This is a guy who was MVP of last year’s summer league.

If ever Napoleon Hill’s quote applied to anyone, it applies to Blake Griffin:

“Effort only fully releases its reward after a person refuses to quit.”

Another year goes by and the worst team in the NBA does not get the #1 pick in the lottery.  How in the world can this occur year after year?

As a math teacher, I’ll let you in on the reason.  While the team with the worst record in the league has the greatest number of ping pong balls, it still has only a 25% chance of “winning.”  Which means that there is a 75% chance that one of the other teams’ ping pong balls comes up.

How, then, can the Washington Wizards, with only a 10% chance of hitting the jackpot, come up roses?  Listen carefully for the answer: BECAUSE SOMEONE HAS TO WIN!  Sure, the Wizards beat the odds, but whatever team that won, including the New Jersey Nets, would have beaten the odds.  If someone asked you which group had a better chance of winning, the one with 25% of the ping pong balls or the one with 75%, which would you choose?  Well, that’s who won - and will usually win.  Three out of four times, anyway.

People claimed there was hanky-panky when the Knicks, a franchise the league desperately needed at that time (and it doesn’t now?) to be successful won the lottery and got the rights to Patrick Ewing.  Then we were supposed to believe that it was a coincidence that the Cleveland Cavaliers just happened to win the lottery the year that Akron’s LeBron James was the prize? 

Was the fix on for this year’s NBA lottery?  The late Abe Pollin, the long-time Washington Bullets/Wizards owner (and one of the true gentlemen in the NBA), died earlier this season.  With all the problems that franchise has encountered - all of its own (players) making - doesn’t it make for a nice story that the Wiz caught a break and his widow could be there to celebrate winning the (apparent) John Wall sweepstakes? 

Maybe, but if you are one to subscribe to conspiracy theories, I can’t say I know you’re mistaken, but if you ask me how, over and over, the team with the greatest number of chances to win doesn’t, my answer is:

“Do the math.”�

From the beginning of the year, it seemed everyone connected with the sport (the ones with a platform anyway) anointed John Wall as player of the year.  As Kentucky’s season unfolded and win followed win - and Wall managed to make all the big plays necessary to keep UK undefeated, no one argued against the Wildcat frosh winning the award.

But just as Brandon Jennings having the NBA’s Rookie of the Year wrapped up early, only to have fallen behind Sacramento’s Tyreke Evans in recent polls (and also Stephen Curry in some quarters), Wall has had to battle another shining star as of late.

Ohio State’s Evan Turner, whose season took a major downward turn when he broke his back dunking in an early season game, has vaulted into POY consideration as he led the Buckeyes to the Big Ten tournament championship on the national stage - at the outset of March Madness.

Comparing the two is like which would you rather have - a Lamborghini or a Ferrari?  Who cares - I’ll take either and be quite happy.  As for my opinion on the two ballers, I think that right now, Evan Turner has the more mature game, e.g. he plays more under control.  However, after a few years, Wall ought to become the better player. 

Why?  Because while Turner seems to be able to smoothly will his team to victory, Wall has more natural skills.  He’s faster with the ball than Turner (heck, he’s faster with the ball than anybody!), has a better vertical game (but not by much) and is more explosive.  Turner is a better outside shooter now and plays a “cooler” game.  Each sees the floor extremely well.  Defensively, usually players as talented as these two are on the offensive end don’t realize their defensive potential until a few years at the next level.

My pick for Player of the Year is Evan Turner - now - but John Wall has the better upside.  If accused of fence-sitting, I turn to Jimmy Buffett for my defense:

“Indecision may or may not be my problem.”  �

In the SEC Tournament finals, Mississippi State, at the beginning of the tourney considered by most on the outside looking in as far as NCAA Tournament selections went, played the #2 team in the nation, the University of Kentucky.  The game plan was simple: win and no roomful of suits could exclude you from the Dance; lose and hope those same suits, most of whom undoubtedly had never stepped foot in Starkville, would be impressed with your showing.  Option A was an infinitely better strategy than Option B - or any other letter, in any other alphabet.

For most of the 40 minute game, MSU did just that.  They were beating UK and answered every Wildcat bucket.  Late in the most important game of the Bulldogs’ season, they had managed a three point lead.  UK brought the ball across midcourt and, with five seconds to go, their coach, Rick Stansbury, elected to play the odds.  With Kentucky having at least three clutch shooters - John Wall, Eric Bledsoe and Patrick Patterson (not the three best three-point shooters in the nation, but when the chips were down - maybe because of the presence of Wildcat Nation, or maybe because of the pressure of it - these guys seemingly came through for their team), Stans had ordered a foul.

The “should you foul with a three point lead and under 10 seconds to go so they can’t tie it with a three or should you just play good, solid defense because crazy things can happen” philosophy was about to be put to the ultimate test - the finals of a conference tournament with an NCAA bid on the line.  As a matter of full disclosure, I am, and always have been a proponent of fouling in this situation.  Maybe it’s because I’m a math guy and think it’s a wise move from a percentage standpoint or maybe it’s because I’ve seen too many guys hit late game threes (see my blog from a couple days ago), but it just seems like the sensible move to make.

After the first free was made, everyone in the arena knew an intentional miss was coming.  Now, let’s stop and think.  If you are one of the MSU players lined up on the lane, whether on the inside position or in the third spot, you know that if you secure the rebound - and the way the rules are set up, it’s to your advantage, as you have both inside spots and four of the six on the lane - it’s virtually impossible for your team to lose.  You’d be ahead by two and, at the very least, would be shooting two free throws with under five seconds to go - odds that are astronomically in your favor.

Add to that universal thought the extra bonus of being named champions of the SEC Tournament.  Make it sweeter that an automatic bid to the NCAA tourney accompanies that title.  And, for the sake of brutal reality, understand that, should you not secure the errant free throw - and subsequently lose, you might be excluded from the field of 65.

So, with all that on the line, sure enough, the Bulldog (purposely unnamed) on the inside failed to have the discipline to get contact with Patrick Patterson, who whirled to the baseline and tipped the ball out to John Wall, who attempted a three-pointer, a shot, that had it dropped, would have won the game right there and then for the Wildcats.  As it was, Wall’s shot was short - so short it landed in the hands of Derrick Cousins, who managed to get the shot off an eyelash before the horn sounded and the red light illuminated.

It was so close the referees had to take several looks at it (I was driving at the time and color analyst Kevin Grevey made the comment that he looked at the replay five times and couldn’t decide whether the basket was good or not.  Slo-mo replays showed Cousins did get it off in time and the game went into overtime.  It didn’t have to.  Mississippi State should have conceded.  During the time the officials were checking the monitors, there should have been a team vote, saying, “If you say the basket is good, we surrender.”

The teaching point is: with all that on the line, if you can’t give every ounce of energy and effort you have FOR FIVE SECONDS, what makes anyone think you can do it for another five minutes?  That missed opportunity (especially the missed block-out) will haunt the Bulldog program for a long, long time - mainly because it was so unnecessary.

That said, do you ever think something like it will ever happen again?  If you don’t, take a cue from Douglas Adams:

“Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experiences of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.”  �