Michael Austin is the senior editor for Winning Hoops and The Real AAU Basketball. He has worked with Winning Hoops since 2001 and has 11 years of professional writing and editing experience.
Everyone has to be ready to hit game-winners…even if you’re not the first, second or maybe even third option.
Glen “Big Baby” Davis helped the Boston Celtics knock off the Orlando Magic Sunday night by draining a long jumper when the defense focused on stopping Ray Allen and Paul Pierce.
The Celtics started their final possession with 11 seconds on the clock and in a typical 1-4 set. Eddie House (2) cleared from one side to the opposite corner. Davis (5) came across the lane and screened for Allen (3). Rajon Rondo (1) passed to Pierce (4) who fought to get open on the wing.
At this point, most everyone figures Pierce is taking the final shot as he has done in so many Celtics’ games in his career. Davis comes high to set another screen for Pierce. Both defenders flock to Pierce, cutting off his ability to get off a good shot. Pierce passes to an open Davis, who drains the game-winner.
When introduced today at his first press conference as new head coach of the men’s basketball team at Florida International University, Isiah Thomas was called “Isiah Thompson” by the school’s president, Modesto A. Maidique. Maybe Maidique wanted to hire “Isiah Thompson”, whoever “Thompson” is, because the hiring of Isiah Thomas leaves me rubbing my face.
And, it should leave every Division I assistant coach, as well as Division II and Division III coach downright angry.
The failings of Thomas as a coach and executive since starring on the court as a Detroit Piston have been well documented. However, look at it in writing: (more…)
Do I pick the dolphin or the donkey sticker? Will she like the sticker with the fish or the chicken on it?
These are not the decisions I expected to be making during the NCAA men’s championship game last night. But, as many of you know, life with a 2-year-old never goes according to plan.
The actual plan was to sit down, watch the game, take some notes, dissect a few coaching decisions and spew my infinite wisdom (sarcasm) in this blog today. (more…)
The Villanova-Pittsburgh game Saturday featured a classic NCAA tournament buzzer beater. To the average fan, the play seemed like a scramble in which Scott Reynolds broke free with the dribble but to basketball coaches, it looked like a finely crafted play executed to perfection.
With 5.5 seconds left on the clock, Villanova had enough time to inbound the ball and dribble the length of the court. Pittsburgh’s main objective was to apply pressure in the backcourt to cause Villanova to eat up more clock. However, Pittsburgh’s second objective was to keep the ball in front of them, which the Panthers did not do. (more…)
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