Basketball Coaching & Free Comments • Entrenamiento & Comentarios Libres

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Entrenamiento, Estadísticas & Comentarios Libres • Statistics, Coaching & Free Comments

"The rest of the world is catching up"

George Raveling knows a bit about basketball, after all he has been involved in the sport for more than half a century and has worked as a coach (Washington State University, University of Iowa and University of Southern California), a commentator (CBS News, Fox Sports) and is currently Director for International Basketball for Nike. He has published two books on basketball “War on the Boards” and “A Rebounder's Workshop”.

FIBA.com caught up with Raveling, who attended this summer’s FIBA U19 World Championship in Latvia and asked him to share his impressions of the Championship and youth basketball.

FIBA: You have been closely following international youth competitions for years. You were present at the 2010 FIBA U17 World Championship in Hamburg and have attended the last two FIBA U19 World Championships. Is youth basketball evolving?

George Raveling: You continue to see a higher level of the skills worldwide. The rest of the world is catching up with the United States. I’ve been really impressed with the continuous growth of basketball in Lithuania, Serbia, Turkey, Croatia…

I think there are a lot of countries investing time in basketball and you see the positive results. This is really good for basketball, which should be a global game. The next step should be to unify the rules in the whole world: we already have three types of rules in the US, high school, College and NBA and we should all play the same game.

FIBA: How do you judge the level of the competition in Latvia?

Raveling: It’s really good and I’m sure that 10 to 15 players will be playing in the best leagues in the world soon, provided they continue to improve their skills. The coaching has also got better, the execution has been good. The fact that USA did not medal in this competition is a clear sign that even the USA team has to bring the best team possible and execute at its highest level in order to be successful.

Serbia is for me the best example and they should get more credit. They finished in the final four in the World Championship last year, and they are always among the best: 5th in Hamburg, 2nd in Latvia. That is clearly a result of the work they are doing in Serbia at all levels. Lithuania is another great example and I fully expect to see Lithuania continue to be a major force on global basketball at all ages.

FIBA: The dominance of the USA is no longer as clear as it was in the past. Is the gap getting smaller?

Raveling: I believe the USA talent level continues to grow, but in smaller proportion than it did in the past. Other countries are putting more emphasis on basketball, investing money for the training, facilities, competitions… and this contributes to the growth of the game. And FIBA is doing also a good job in promoting the sport all around the world with different projects.

FIBA: Like 3x3 basketball, for instance?

Raveling: Exactly, the new 3x3 competition is a noble idea and I think it will grow the participation in Basketball. It’s positive that FIBA is the leader and the promoter of the discipline: it will help women’s basketball and give a huge opportunity for the emerging markets geographically to have participation. In 3x3, size is not as important and you will see teams in South East Asia, China… and those regions, being able to compete at a highest level.

You just need 3-4 good players, not 12… This discipline might also help certain countries to identify talents that they did not realize were available. This will eventually help to grow the game on a global approach. It’s a positive step in the right direction

FIBA: A lot of players claim that they improve when they have a chance to play in international competitions. Would you share this view?

Sure, FIBA is a main contributor to the growth of the game. Providing international competitions for men and women in different age groups offers a chance for the players to exhibit their skills, to compare themselves to others and to measure how far they can go to reach a higher level of excellence.

Particularly for Americans, they need more and more exposure to the international games, the cultural values that come with traveling, playing against other styles of game…

All this contributes to the evolution of the players and is very positive for the basketball on a global prospective.

FIBA: How important is basketball for Nike?

Raveling: Basketball is the soul of the company. It’s one of the drivers that made us into a successful company. It’s been a long and laborious journey to get where we are, but as we like to say at Nike, “There’s no finish line”.

So we have to continue to test ourselves, test our results and always be mindful that we have a responsibility towards the game, to grow it, to provide it with the best products, the best opportunities to compete and to put back into the game of basketball.

FIBA: And that at all levels of the game?

Sure. Supporting the grassroots basketball is a part of our structure that we take very seriously. We invest tons of dollars, efforts and intellect into figuring out how we can grow the game at the very base level all around the world. We are trying to make sure that we are responsible corporate citizens and that we are not takers, but givers. This is a strong obligation for Nike.


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from  FIBA

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• Entrenamiento, Estadísticas & Comentarios Libres
• Statistics, Coaching & Free Comments

Entrenando Divisiones Juveniles: El Concepto y La Discusión

( for English Translation= See Below )

El entrenador de divisiones menores o formativas en baloncesto debe entender que entrenar juveniles no es lo mismo que entrenar adultos. Ellos necesitan de más instrucción y mayor supervisión, por lo que la paciencia es ciertamente una virtud.

Cuando se entrena divisiones menores, no necesariamente se debe ganar a efectos de tener éxito. Dejar jugar a todos debe ser el objetivo.

Lo que el entrenador debería hacer es motivar a cada jugador menor o juvenil a dar de sí mismo lo mejor. Esto significa que en el curso del entrenamiento de divisiones menores, se debe dar a todos la oportunidad de jugar. Si solamente juegan los mejores jugadores, entonces los que no lo hacen se sentirán excluidos. En edades más jóvenes, esto puede conducir a disturbar tanto a los jugadores como los padres.

Hay que darle una oportunidad a todos los jugadores cuando se entrena divisiones menores o formativas. Nunca se sabe qué talentos pueden surgir.

El entrenador podrá querer adaptar ejercicios y jugadas de adultos cuando entrena divisiones menores, pero debe hacerlo en una forma que los chicos puedan comprenderlas. Debe trata de hacer todo como un juego, más que una práctica para que se mantengan interesados. Con unidades cortas de atención, se deben hacer ejercicios cortos y mantener el sentido de "práctica" en el mínimo posible.

Esto no quiere decir que el entrenador de menores es un "cuidador de bebes", pero si se trata de inducir al jugador juvenil a dar su máximo esfuerzo posible y que estén satisfechos con lo que hacen.

Opiniones?

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Coaching Youth Basketball: The Concept and the Discussion

Youth basketball coach must understand that coaching youth basketball is not like coaching adults. They need more instruction and more supervision, so patience is certainly a virtue.

When you’re coaching youth basketball, you don’t necessarily have to win in order to succeed. Letting everyone play must be the objective.

What you’ll want to do is prompt each child to do their very best. This means that in the course of coaching youth basketball, you will want to give everyone a opportunity to play. If you only play the best players, then children will feel excluded. In younger ages, this can lead to disturb children and parents as well.

Let everyone have a opportunity when you’re coaching youth basketball. You never know what talents you might find.

You’ll want to adjust adult drills when coaching youth basketball, but in a way that children can know and comprehend. Try to make everything a game, rather than a practice so that children stay concerned. With shorter attention units, you may want to make short drills or keep practices to a minimum.

This isn’t to say that coaching youth basketball is a work of a baby sitter, but it is about teaching children to try their the supreme effort one can make and be filled with satisfaction when they do.

Thoughts ?

 Translation & Links:  ebastats - the basketball statistics forum

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Basketball Coaching & Free Comments • Entrenamiento & Comentarios Libres

“Los  lideres  deben  ser buenos administradores,
pero la mayoría de los administradores  no  necesariamente  son buenos lideres”

 

Ante los grandes cambios  que hemos experimentado en  el  baloncesto  competido en  las últimas dos décadas. Es mi interés señalar  en este pequeño  artículo,  que debe ser  motivo  de preocupación  o motivación  por parte de aquellos lideres o administradores que no  se están  moviendo  en  esa  dirección a lograr  o conducir  el  baloncesto  sobre una sólida estructura.

 

Por otro  lado  podemos  establecer y  reconocer que aquellas  federaciones  u organizaciones que han  levantado  su nivel competitivo  en  los pasados  años lo  han  logrado por el  liderato  demostrado  y su  estructura organizacional. También son muchas son  las Federaciones que a pesar  que tiene  un gran  programa  en  desarrollo en  la actualidad, su  deseo de superación  los ha motivado  a continuar  estableciendo  un Proyecto  de Visión y Misión  a 5 y 10  años plazo para lograr nuevas metas.

 

Mientras el  baloncesto   se profesionaliza  cada vez mas  las demandas  para los servicios y participación  son mas grandes cada día, las federaciones  tienen que considerar  seriamente  establecer una estructura dirigida por un personal profesional y amante del  baloncesto. La  estructura  es la manera ideal  para llevar a cabo  su  estrategia  y por lo  tanto es la mejor manera de conducir al  máximo   el potencial  de sus recursos.

 

FIBA-Américas  y la Academia de Baloncesto  han  venido  contribuyendo al  desarrollo  del  baloncesto  a través  de cursos de capacitación  y clínicas para entrenadores,   para árbitros y otros proyectos que van  dirigido  a desarrollar un nuevo formato  de desarrollo  para el  baloncesto  en  todas las categorías.

 

Es altamente recomendable lograr  establecer nuevas estrategias para alejarse  del  continuismo  e improvisación. Debemos aprovechar los consejos técnicos y  administrativos que nos ofrece  el  Manual  Nacional  de Federaciones para brindarle un nuevo  impulso a cada una de las federaciones y  a sus líderes.    

 

Los administradores federativos efectivos deben  tener   una visión  clara  de a dónde va dirigida su  organización.  Estos líderes deben  asegurar  que su  Federación defina  su  visión  para  proporcionarle  las oportunidades a su  personal  para desarrollarla.

 

Es muy  saludable señalar o  recordarle  a los administradores que deben  invertir todo  su  esfuerzo  en un programa  de base para poder cosechar y desarrollar jugadores que serán  el  futuro  de los  equipo  nacionales.  En la actualidad poner todo el entusiasmo,  dedicación, dinero, tiempo  en  una sola canasta,  es contribuir al  estancamiento  del  baloncesto, por la sencilla razón  que no  generan  jugadores, árbitros y entrenadores para encarar  los retos del  futuro. El  no  poseer un programa  de desarrollo, esta situación  obliga a muchos países a importar jugadores, limitando  la participación  de los jugadores naturales.

 

Muchos administradores se preguntan ¿cómo  debe  hacerlo?  El  punto  de  partida o comienzo  para desarrollar un plan de acción  es definir  precisamente  donde usted  como  líder esta hoy, donde  usted quiere estar mañana  y como  usted quiere llegar.. Lo  cierto que no  se puede  fortalecer una organización  y menos su  programa , sino  se le brinda tiempo  y supervisión , no  cuando sobra el  tiempo. El baloncesto  moderno  exige personal  a tiempo  completo  y un personal  de corte profesional para que el  funcionamiento  tenga control  y seguimiento.

 

El  proceso   de la planificación estratégica  es “que la rueda gire” y debe estar  constantemente  en  movimiento. Establecer un programa en  papel  sin ponerlo  en  práctica fomenta un embotellamiento  en todas las áreas en   el desarrollo del baloncesto. Una vez el  programa  y las estrategias  han sido  aplicadas  y en  función , debemos preguntarnos “donde estamos nosotros ahora” .

 

Esta acción antes señalada debe  producir una nueva dinámica en los administradores, jugadores y personal en  el  entorno federativo. Entienda  que es hora de cambios de salir del  túnel  de la tradición y entrar en  una nueva etapa para darle dirección  al  deporte que   tanto tus amas y defiendes.

 

Preguntemos ¿Cómo líder que cosas distinta yo  hecho  en  los pasados  dos años para brindarle  un nuevo  impulso a la organización que yo  dirijo?


¿Que resultados  hemos obtenidos  bajo  el  programa actual?  ¿Está el  baloncesto  en  mi  país  actualizado?

No  olvides:

“Nosotros Somos el  Baloncesto”


Victor Ojeda ~ FIBA Americas ~ Jueves, 30 de septiembre 2010


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Basketball Coaching & Free Comments • Entrenamiento & Comentarios Libres

The true meaning of team: Team USA is a real team, not just a group of stars

Now we know, Team USA is a real team, not just a group of stars thrown together as was the case sometimes in the past.

Their youth was more an advantage than a weakness in the end because they recuperated more quickly than their opponents.

Their depth was a decisive quality too as the other teams seemed to tire down the stretch after nine high level games in just 14 days.

One player who never seemed fatigued was the tournament MVP, Kevin Durant, who more than lived up to his budding reputation and who along with his teammates adapted rapidly and intelligently to international rules and referees.

Durant has Magic's height, Jordan's stats and Reggie Miller's range.

He proved to be an all-around player, not just a scorer in coach K's system and his teammates generously and without jealousy set him up beautifully with picks and passes when he didn't just burn his man one on one! Kevin and his buddies give a good image to the young generation of NBA players which is important before next summer's looming lockout.

Durant's mom always tells him to be and stay himself and his heartfelt salute to victims of 9/11 on the eleventh of september vs Lithuania was authentic.

This group of hard workers and quick learners confirmed the complete turnaround of the whole USA basketball program since the naming of Jerry Colangelo as the boss.

Respecting the context and the opponents with a touch of class and dignity that was sorely needed has driven Team USA straight to the top after a bump in the road in Japan in 2006, followed by an Olympic gold medal in 2008 and now a World Championship (which has a better taste than in '94) with a whole NEW group of players.

Impressive stuff! Coach K created a college atmosphere of comraderie between the players and their playful enthuiasm was genuine as egos were kept in check.

Tactically, the coach used more zone defence than in the past and went to a super small ball lineup with success against Turkey's revolutionary new 2-1-2 half court zone press and matchup defence concocted by the courageous coaching genius Boja Tanjevic who got the most out of Turkey's height advantage during the tournament while fighting cancer! I've known this man personally for 20 years and he is a jewel of humanism.

Let's descibe him as an old school players' coach like Serbia's brilliant maestro, Ivkovic.

He prefers to just be considered a coach for the last 40 years.

In terms of leadership, Billups and Odom were great in their big brother roles and Lamar saved his best for last in the final with a precious double-double against the giants on the Turkish front line.

The most improved player throughout the tournament was Westbrook(Go Oklahoma!) who in the end was even more useful than Derrick Rose.

The most under-used player was Kevin Love who always made the most of his limited minutes.

Andrè Iguodala was a revelation on D and on the boards.

I'm looking for all the players on the All-tournament team to have great seasons in the NBA.

In the final analysis this World Championship was a great success thanks to Turkey's passionate organisation,modern infrastuctures and fantastic yet non-violent fans.

The players who decided not to come regret their decision now,I'll bet.

Most of the Europeans will probably show up in basketball-loving Lithuania(THE surprise team of the tournament) for next summer's Eurobasket with 2 direct tickets for London and four other tickets to the Olympic qualifying tournament up for grabs.

Whew, that's going to be competitive!




by George EDDY from FIBA


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Basketball Coaching & Free Comments • Entrenamiento & Comentarios Libres

Que tiene uno que hacer para convertirse en un buen entrenador de baloncesto?

Es una pregunta muy abarcadora, pero para convertirte en un entrenador de baloncesto, no solamente toma años de experiencia y  preparación  educativa. También debes tener consistentemente jugadores talentosos y poder manejar profesionalmente a los compañeros de trabajo en la escuela, en el club o equipos para el cual tu dedicas largas horas de trabajo fuerte mientras otros entrenadores están gozando y fiesteando con los amigos. En el trabajo de entrenador tenemos un dicho que dice: "si tú  no dedicas horas de trabajo extra, tu oponente exitoso lo ha hecho".

Todo es sacrificio y paciencia. Creo verdaderamente  que para ser un buen  entrenador  no  hay  diferencia  a otra profesión que se haya  escogido  para triunfar. El  mejor entrenador  debe educarse  más allá que el  promedio  de las personas. Estos deben  leer constantemente  buscando  nueva información e ideas que pueda  implementar en sus enseñanzas. Todo entrenador  debe ofrecer  el  mayor esfuerzo   cada día  aun   cuando  no  siente  que está haciendo bien  su  trabajo.

Lo  cierto es que hay  muy  buenos entrenadores que ganan  muchos juegos, pero  no  sobreviven   porque no tienen   un balance en  sus  vidas. Para  ser  un  buen  entrenador que tu  deseas ser,  tienes que sobrevivir  a muchas  altas y  bajas para poder mantenerte  motivado   a continuar enseñando, educar y entrenar  a tus jugadores  sin importar quienes vienen a la cancha a jugar.  

Si tu deseas ser el mejor entrenador de baloncesto entonces aspira a mantenerte activo en todas las áreas de tu vida, mientras te mantienes emocional, espiritual y físicamente pregrado  en  todo  lo  que  tú  haces.

Qué características y conocimientos son necesarias tener?

Muchos  de los grandes  entrenadores  están  orientados  por los detalles, el  trabajo  fuerte, honesto, sincero, preocupados   por los entrenadores  y ofrecer algo  para atrás  de lo  que  el  juego  le ha dado. Proteger  el  juego  de las malas influencias ser leal  aquellos  que te han ayudado  a lo  largo del  camino en  los tiempos más difíciles  y el  haber fomentado buenas amistades que es la fuente  para el  éxito  a largo  plazo, en vez de tumbar cabezas para adquirir un éxito temporero.

Muchos son los entrenadores que piensan   y entienden  fuertemente  que el  baloncesto  se desarrolla solamente sobre las X's y O's  y que realmente el  pre-requisito  para ser un  entrenador exitoso. Otros entrenadores continúan  pensado   y creciendo  sobre las X's y O's  y lo adoptan  en el  proceder de su  carrera  de entrenador.

El  tipo  de conocimiento  que es mas importante  envuelve  el  entendimiento y  comportamiento   del  ser humano como es la comunicación, motivación, destrezas, relaciones humanas  el  trabajo  procesal día a día, de cómo  se trabaja  con un   equipo, club,  u organización  en  todo  su  funcionamiento. Hemos  visto  muchos entrenadores de X's y O's  que no sobreviven   como  entrenadores  por la pobre relación  y destrezas  de comunicación personal.




Por: Victor 'Vitito' Ojeda para FIBA Américas

[pre_miere]

Entrenamiento, Estadísticas & Comentarios Libres • Statistics, Coaching & Free Comments

Bob Donewald, head coach of China since the end of April,
tries to change it's perception in basketball

Bob Donewald has been the head coach of China since the end of April.
 
He’s already become the star attraction of the national team.
 
Having coached Shanghai this season in the CBA, the club owned by China’s most famous sportsman, Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets, Donewald made a good impression on the people of the CBA – the decision makers in Chinese basketball.
 
Looking back to one year ago, China hosted the FIBA Asia Championship but did not have Yao and got hammered 70-52 by Iran in the final.
 
It was an embarrassing performance, one that spelled the end for Guo Shiqiang as head coach.
 
The search for a new man began.
 
It ended with Donewald.
 
What Donewald has that his predecessor did not is a very strong personality.
 
Very comfortable in his surroundings wherever he is, Donewald laughs with the reporters in China, who seem to hang on his every word.
 
When he was unveiled to the media as the new coach of China, he was very serious.
 
He didn’t make promises about winning games, but said that China was going through a period of transition because the older players, namely his Shanghai boss Yao, were getting older.
 
In other words, it was time to turn the page.
 
Don’t count on Yao anymore.
 
No one can play forever. Yao, who turns 30 later this year, missed all of last season in the NBA following reconstructive foot surgery.
 
The only promise that Donewald made the day of his unveiling as national team boss was that his players would work so hard that China would be proud.
 
Donewald has since made it very clear to the players that rules have to be followed and those who do not obey them will go.
 
The two faces of Donewald
 
Before a recent practice, Donewald walked onto the court to speak to reporters.
 
It happened to be the opening day of the World Cup in South Africa.
 
A female reporter asked Donewald a question in Chinese.
 
The translator by Donewald’s side said to the coach: “Are you going to watch the World Cup tonight?”
 
Donewald liked the question.
 
Practice could wait a few minutes.
 
He smiled and answered: “I hope so.
 
“I’ve got to make sure my wife … my wife is struggling with the time change a little bit. So she might kick me out of the room to watch it somewhere else. I’ve got to watch practice first. When I’m done with that, I’ll watch it.”
 
Donewald then said, “Who’s on tonight?”
 
After being told it was Mexico taking on hosts South Africa, Donewald, who I thought was from Michigan, sounded like someone who stepped out of a movie filmed in the deep south of America.
 
“Who ya’ll pickin’?” he said.
 
Everyone told him, “Mexico.”
 
He raised his eyebrows and looked surprised.
 
“The game’s in South Africa,” he said.
 
“Better root for the home team.”
 
Then Donewald got a serious question about Zhang Bo, the promising national team player he’d just chucked off the national team because he’d missed an 11pm curfew.
 
This was the most interesting 20 seconds of the Donewald reign in China.
 
Did he, reporters wanted to know, tell Zhang Bo face-to-face that he was off the team and did he think of giving him a second chance since the player, according to Donewald, had been working so hard in practice?
 
Donewald said: “To answer the first part, yes. I deal with all the problems. I don’t hide. If there is a problem, I deal with it. So yes, I was the one that told Zhang Bo my decision.”
 
A hushed silence fell on the reporters because the jovial Donewald had turned into a hard Donewald.
 
The coach then said: “As for the second part of your question, this team is going to be made up of discipline.
 
“Disciplined teams win basketball games.
 
“Without discipline, we’re dead in the water.
 
“We don’t move forward. He made a decision. As all decisions, they have consequences.
 
“He made the decision to go out, he’s got to live with the consequences.
 
“This is a team of discipline.”
 
China had a disciplined coach in Jonas Kazlauskas of Lithuania, but he is cut from a different cloth.
 
Having watched Donewald coach in Great Britain, it’s safe to say that Kazlauskas is no Donewald.
 
Disciplined is not the first thing that comes to my mind when remembering the Donewald-coached teams in England’s British Basketball League like Leicester, Derby and London Leopards.
 
It was more like ‘out of control’, at least on some nights.
 
Donewald had teams of fighters, players like Rico Alderson and Yorick Williams that would go out and play hard and yes, sometimes fight.
 
They didn’t back down from any team at any time.
 
When Donewald left England, the sport lost a winner, and its biggest showman.
 
He returned to America and served as an assistant coach to Paul Silas with the Hornets, and the Cavaliers, before popping up in China with Shanghai before the 2009-10 season.
 
Like the reporters are finding out in China, Donewald doesn’t “hide”.
 
There is a refreshing quality about him. He makes a reporter’s job easy.
 
He’s not secretive, but opens up.
 
He also speaks directly, and to the point.
 
As an objective observer, China needed someone like Donewald.
 
China were soft.
 
They played hard under Kazlauskas, but they weren’t hard men.
 
Being blown out in the gold medal game at home against Iran was inexcusable.
 
They needed to come together, fight together and look at the big teams and believe they can win.
 
I think the CBA has got it right.
 
Under Donewald, they will do all three or, in his words, they’re “dead in the water.”





Jeff Taylor FIBA

[eBAstats]

ADIOS, MAESTRO ! Muere John Wooden,

uno de los mejores entrenadores de baloncesto de la historia

(for the article in English: see the previous message )

El legendario John Wooden, ex entrenador del equipo de baloncesto de la universidad de UCLA, con el que ganó diez títulos nacionales de la NCAA, la Liga universitaria estadounidense, murió de causas naturales, a los 99 años.

Según informó la universidad, Wooden falleció en el centro médico Ronald Reagan, situado en la propia UCLA, donde permanecía ingresado desde el 26 de mayo por una deshidratación.

Wooden, todo un icono del deporte norteamericano, también es recordado por ser el creador de "la pirámide del éxito", sustentada en los principios de diligencia, amistad, lealtad, cooperación y entusiasmo.

"El éxito es tener paz interior, lo cual es resultado directo de la autosatisfacción que da saber que has realizado el esfuerzo para dar lo mejor que eres capaz", dijo el técnico para explicar su "pirámide".

El mítico técnico hubiera cumplido 100 años el 14 de octubre.

Bajo su mando, el equipo de UCLA se alzó con el título de la NCAA en 1964, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973 y 1975. Fueron diez victorias en las doce finales que disputó.

A comienzos de los 70, el conjunto encadenó una serie de 88 victorias consecutivas, incluidas dos temporadas (1971-72 y 1972-73) en las que no supo lo que era la derrota. UCLA volvió a enlazar 28 partidos ganando entre las temporadas 1963-64 y 1973-74.


Fotografía: Chicago Tribune

Wooden, a lo largo de su carrera como técnico de los Bruins, entrenó a jugadores míticos como Walt Hazzard, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar o Bill Walton. También consiguió campeonatos sin grandes estrellas en la formación, como ocurrió en la campaña 1974-75.

Fue el creador de la 'pirámide del éxito': diligencia, amistad, lealtad, cooperación y entusiasmo.

Tras ese año se retiró como entrenador con un balance de 620 victorias y 147 derrotas.

"Éste es un día triste para UCLA", dijo el rector de la universidad, Gene Block. "El legado del entrenador Wooden trasciende el deporte; lo que hizo fue producir líderes", añadió.

Block alabó las enseñanzas de Wooden respecto al entendimiento del liderazgo y la integridad entre sus alumnos, y la enorme influencia que tuvieron sus métodos entre sus seguidores.

"Su pirámide del éxito cuelga en mi oficina para recordarme cada día qué hace falta para ser un líder efectivo. Fue realmente una leyenda dentro de su tiempo, y lo será para muchas generaciones venideras", agregó.

Entre sus logros más notables destacan su ingreso en el Salón de la Fama del baloncesto, como jugador (1960) y como entrenador (1973), y la Medalla Presidencial de la Libertad, la mayor distinción que puede recibir un civil, otorgada por el ex presidente George W. Bush.

A menudo dijo que tras el fallecimiento en 1985 de su esposa, Nell, con la que estuvo casado desde 1932, había perdido el miedo a la muerte. "Estoy deseando verla de nuevo", dijo a la revista de la universidad en 2007.

El 20 de diciembre de 2003, el parqué del Pauley Pavillion, donde juegan sus partidos los Bruins, recibió el nombre de Nell y John Wooden.

El Grupo eBA Stats Rinde su Homenaje... ADIOS MAESTRO JOHN WOODEN...
y Gracias por Todo !

La nota en Inglés que precede a ésta, pertenece a otra fuente y no es una traducción... vale la pena leerla también !.

[eBAstats]

GOODBYE, MAESTRO !

Legendary Basketball Coach John Wooden dies at 99

(para el artículo en Español: ver el mensaje siguiente  )

John Wooden, college basketball's gentlemanly Wizard of Westwood who built one of the greatest dynasties in all of sports at UCLA and became one of the most revered coaches ever, has died. He was 99.

The university said Wooden died Friday night of natural causes at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, where he had been since May 26.

Wooden remained beloved by many of his former players, several of whom visited him in recent days to say their goodbyes.

Among them was Bill Walton, whose voice caught as he spoke of the man he hailed as a teacher first and a coach second.

"He's the greatest," Walton said the night before Wooden's death. "We love him."

Jamaal Wilkes said he recognized what he called "that little glint" in Wooden's pale blue eyes.

During his second visit Wednesday night, Wilkes asked Wooden if he recognized him.

"His glasses fogged up, and he had to clean his glasses," Wilkes said. "He looked at me and said, 'I remember you, now go sit down.'"


Photograph: Chicago Tribune

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Joe Torre and current UCLA coach Ben Howland were among Wooden's final visitors.

"I just enjoyed him and the twinkle in his eye," Howland said, noting Wooden told a few jokes from his hospital bed. "I'm just the steward of this program. It's always going to be his program."

Jim Harrick is the only coach in the post-Wooden era at UCLA to win a national championship. When the Bruins reached the 1995 Final Four in Seattle, Harrick repeatedly urged Wooden to attend. He had stopped going after his wife died 10 years earlier.

"You don't know how stubborn he was," Harrick said by phone from Orange County, Calif. "Finally, he did come, and it was a tremendous thrill."

With his signature rolled-up game program in hand, Wooden led the Bruins to 10 NCAA championships, including an unmatched streak of seven in a row from 1967 to 1973.

Over 27 years, he won 620 games, including 88 straight during one historic stretch, and coached many of the game's greatest players such as Walton and Lew Alcindor - later known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

"It's kind of hard to talk about Coach Wooden simply, because he was a complex man. But he taught in a very simple way. He just used sports as a means to teach us how to apply ourselves to any situation," Abdul-Jabbar said in a statement released through UCLA.

"He set quite an example. He was more like a parent than a coach. He really was a very selfless and giving human being, but he was a disciplinarian. We learned all about those aspects of life that most kids want to skip over. He wouldn't let us do that."

Wooden is the only person to be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame as both a player and a coach.

The eBA Stats Group Pay Tribute to John Wooden ! GOODBYE, MAESTRO !...
and Thanks for All You Have Done !

Click here to read the full article by Beth Harris,The Washington Post.

[americoach]

Basketball Coaching & Free Comments • Entrenamiento & Comentarios Libres

Academia - Transformar el Futuro del Baloncesto es Cosa de Todos

 

"... No  sigas  por donde  el  camino nos conduce... busca por donde  no  hay  camino  y deja tu  propia huella...!  Luis Lorenzo


Las exigencias que el  baloncesto  moderno nos presenta es motivo  de preocupación   para todos lo que estamos envueltos  en  el  desarrollo  del  baloncesto. Nuestro   deporte es  uno  de vanguardia que necesita controles  y nuevas estrategias para fortalecer su  crecimiento  en  todas sus  áreas.

La evolución  que hemos experimentado en  el  baloncesto  mundial  en  las dos pasadas décadas  se ha  debido  a los grandes cambios  experimentados  en  los aspectos  administrativos, organizativos  y competitivos. Ante esa realidad debemos preguntar: Cuáles  han  sido  los motivos  de esos cambios?  Qué hay que hacer para lograrlos?

Seguro  es motivo  de orgullo y satisfacción  para aquellos que  lideres  y Federaciones que  lo han  logrado.  No es menos cierto , que también  debe ser motivo  de  preocupación  para  aquellos  lideres y  administradores  que  no se   han  movido  en esa dirección.

En  este momento  el    baloncesto  se encuentra  en  una  transición  generacional histórica  que nos obliga a reflexionar  sobre  nuestra actitud  personal   e institucional . Posición  que nos permite analizar  para verificar si  podemos cumplir con nuestro  compromiso  y deber ministerial... Esta acción  evitara  y nos motivara  a establecer, los controles administrativos deseados  para brindarle  una dirección  correcta  al mismo.

Qué ha sucedido  en  el  pasado? Cierto  es que debemos identificar aquellos obstáculos  que evitaron en  el  pasado   un buen  desarrollo institucional   en  muchos de los países donde se juega  baloncesto.  Entiendo  que  más allá de adjudicar  responsabilidades  o señalar culpables, lo  importantes es reflexionar  para identificar  donde nos encontramos  actualmente  y hacia donde debemos  dirigir todo  nuestro  esfuerzo. Vivimos en  una sociedad cambiante  y nuestro  baloncesto  debe ser parte  de esa transformación  social y deportiva.

Al  mismo  tiempo, todos estamos consciente  que muchas organizaciones  han   estados inmerso   en  un  funcionamiento de tradicionalismo  institucional.  Pero también reconocemos  que mucho   ha sido  el  esfuerzo      buscando  nuevas  alternativas y  estrategias  para temperarse al  baloncesto  moderno.  Muchas veces no  se logra por falta de tiempo  o porque  liderato administrativo   no  lo  exige. El  utilizar como  herramienta educativa el  Manual  Nacional  de Federaciones nos permitirá  conocer  aquellas  nuevas estrategias  que debemos implementar para  fortalecer nuestra estructura federativa.

Se nos  ha  hecho   muy  difícil  en muchas ocasiones poner  en la mente de muchos de nosotros  el poder establecer  una nueva filosofía , visión  y  metas alcanzables  para identificar el  camino  a seguir. Es en esa  dirección   que debemos  poner todo   nuestro  interés  y esfuerzo para alcanzar  un alto  nivel  de credibilidad institucional.

Para lograr esa acción se  ha instituido por FIBA-América  el Plan Educacional  para el  2010-2014, dirigido al  componente federativo  a través de un proceso  de capacitación   y motivación  como  estrategia innovadora para el  crecimiento   y fortalecimiento  de las instituciones envueltas.

Urge establecer una  estructura y organización  abarcadora     bajo  un plan  de trabajo firme y fuerte para el  desarrollo del  baloncesto   desde la base  hasta  los Equipos Nacionales. Siempre  pensando  que  "transformar el   futuro del baloncesto es cosa de todos". Es  necesario  envolvernos en un  compromiso   personal e institucional   para hacer una labor   de una manera diferente. Es hacia esa dirección  que debemos poner  todo  nuestro  esfuerzo  personal e interés institucional. El  futuro  es nuestro  mejor aliado pensando  siempre que 'Nosotros Somos el  Baloncesto'.




de FIBA AMERICAS

[russianball]

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U.S.-Russia relations: Obama’s basketball diplomacy

President Obama took some time Monday out of his busy schedule to shoot some hoops with 22 Russian kids who are in town to fulfill the cultural part of his "reset" in U.S.-Russia relations.

The Russian youth spending 11 days in Washington as part of the U.S.-Russia Bilateral Presidential Commission's Education, Culture, Sports, and Media Working Group, one of the many such working groups set up by the two sides last year.

"The group will visit American students, take part in disability sports, team building activities, and see the Washington Mystics play to demonstrate how Americans participate in athletics in order to develop life skills," said National Security Council spokesman Mike Hammer. "The exchange aims to establish a lasting dialogue between Russian and American youth."

The trip is being run by the Sports Visitor program, one of the two main programs run by the State Department's SportsUnited outfit. The Sports Envoy program, which sends American athletes and coaches abroad, is also highly active.

This summer, the State Department will send NBA and WNBA players to four regions of the world, with the aim of reaching youth in Cape Verde, Indonesia, Malawi, Serbia, and Tunisia.

The sports envoys aren't going to those countries to send a specific message. The State Department is extremely unhappy with the government of Malawi for sentencing a gay couple to 14 years in prison, for instance, but is moving ahead with plans to send b-ballers to the impoverished African state.

Nor will the envoys necessarily be household names (though Lakers point guard Kobe Bryant appears in a video promoting the USA Pavilion at the Shanghai World Expo). Recent envoys have included WNBA President Donna Orender, current Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra, and WNBA star Cynthia Cooper. Right now, retired NBA journeyman Sam Perkins and WBNA star Sue Wicks are in Indonesia. Former LA Laker Mark Madsen is in Tunisia with former WNBA standout Monique Ambers.

Next month, State will send sports stars to teach soccer in Azerbaijan,bring 12 Venezuelan girls to play soccer in the United States, send basketball stars to Serbia, and bring 20 Russian kids to learn swimming in the U.S. Later this summer, State will bring 20 Panamanian kids here to learn soccer and send 20 American kids to Russia to play beach volleyball near the Black Sea.




from FIBA

[england2012]

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Basketball 2012 'needs long-term support'

Britain would be wasting money if it pulls funding from basketball after the London 2012 Olympics, the secretary-general of basketball's governing body FIBA has warned.

Patrick Baumann, who is also one the International Olympic Committee's inspectors overseeing preparations for the 2012 Games, described it as "a scenario where we (FIBA) would have concerns."

"The problem has been indicated in different sports. I would not like to see this because basketball does not deserve those sorts of ups and downs," he said.

"We feel that now you have 2012 to help the sport in the UK it would be a waste of money if you were not to continue that support (after London 2012).

"You can not expect a sport that is not in the minds of British people to suddenly win medals if you do not create a base for it to build.

"You will be able to get a new team for 2016 and if you modify the funding stream that can hurt the legacy from 2012.

"I think that basketball will show the country that it can perform in 2012 and it deserves the investment."

Baumann is a vocal cheerleader for British basketball as a developing sport. It has great potential, he argues.

Baumann said: "It is important that the funding stays in place.

"What we do not want is for the Olympic Games to finish on Sunday and for on Monday there to be a great split for basketball and for Britain not to be able to play strongly on a European basis.

"Britain should be looking at hosting a European Championships, at the least.

"For Britain to be able to host netball championships and not basketball - that would be just silly."

Baumann is also a vocal cheerleader for basketball internationally.

He is London for the countdown to the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey, which starts on August 28.

With the world's biggest names from the United States and beyond on the bill, tickets are already sold out. Around 350,000 people are expected to attend the world's biggest basketball competition as over 450 million people globally now follow the sport.

The winners will qualify for the London 2012 Olympics.

The event will be played in four cities - Ankara, Istanbul, Izmir and Kayseri - and feature 24 teams, with 288 players playing 80 games. Two new venues have been built especially for the championship.

Baumann, who as a former player, coach, referee, and referee instructor, admits he is "absolutely biased", insists that basketball is the "second best and most popular sport in the world" after football.

He said: "It is the biggest thing we can dream to have. I think that for basketball it is the World Championship that is more important than the Olympic Games because we have the best of the best competing. It is 24 teams whereas at the Olympics we only have 12."

Baumann, who is calling for the number of basketball teams to be increased at the Olympics, said: "We are asking and keep asking to have 16 teams at the Olympic Games. Football has 16 teams at the Olympics and if you compare what we bring to the Olympics, 12 is a poor number for a team sport.

"When you have 12 and you have a place for the world champion and each of the continents, that is at least six places that are already gone.

"America and Europe is where the domination is and Europe will not necessarily be able to get their best teams at the Games."

For the moment, Britain must not miss the opportunity to bolster the sport's popularity by making the most of its school and grassroots success. There is also work that needs to be done before British basketball can challenge at international tournaments.

He notes: "What is lacking is the level after that (school and grassroots) and the structure that seniors need to get to be a national team like football teams have.

"There is not the mechanism that brings those kids to the clubs and raises them in to the national squad.

"I think what is crucial here is that Britain has the core elements for it, which is the passion at the right age level."




from FIBA

[rules_coach]

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FIBA presents Official Basketball Rules 2010

Following the amendments put forward by the Technical Commission and approved by the FIBA Central Board in May 2008 and April 2010, FIBA has published the Official Basketball Rules 2010 on its website.

These Rules will come into effect as of 1st October 2010, after this summer’s FIBA World Championship for Men and Women.

The principal changes concern the court markings and the twenty-four second rule and are described in detail in Article 2. Court and Article 29. Twenty-four seconds, respectively.

Together with Official Basketball Rule Book for 2010, FIBA has also published the remaining four integral parts of the 2010 Rules, namely regulations on Basketball Equipment, the Referee's Manual for Two-Person Officiating, the Referee's Manual for Three-Person Officiating and rules governing Official Interpretations.

Additionally, the New Court Markings for 2010 are also available on fiba.com

While these Rules and Regulations have been approved by the FIBA Central Board, they are subject to editorial finalisation by 30th June 2010.

Please note that until and during this summer’s FIBA World Championship, all FIBA sanctioned competitions will be played under the Official Basketball Rules 2008 edition.

For the full list of FIBA regulations, click here.




FIBA

[pedro_saban]

In memoriam of Juan Antonio Samaranch, IOC Honorary President

( para la Versión en Español= Ver a Continuación )

It is with great sadness that FIBA today learned of the passing of International Olympic Committee (IOC) Honorary President Juan Antonio Samaranch, who presided over the organisation for more than two decades (1980-2001), becoming one of the most recognisable figures in world sport. He was 89.

During his time at the head of the IOC, Samaranch oversaw a large number of changes within the Olympic Movement and the sporting world as a whole, being brought to deal with the increasing weight of commercialism within sport as well as issues such as professionalism at the Games.

Among his many achievements, he can be credited with the creation of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and also oversaw the inclusion of the first female IOC Members.

Prior to his involvement with the IOC, Samaranch – who was born in Barcelona in 1920 – pursued a successful diplomatic career that saw him hold the offices of Spanish ambassador to the Soviet Union and Mongolia.

Heading the Spanish delegations at several Olympic games, he went on to become Spanish Secretary for Sports and President of the Spanish National Olympic Committee.

In 1980 he replaced Lord Killanin to become the seventh president of the IOC, a seat he held until 2001. In recognition of his services to sport, he was given the title of Honorary President.

FIBA Secretary General and IOC Member Patrick Baumann said: “This is a very sad day. President Samaranch’s contributions to world sport and basketball have been priceless, not only during his time at the head of the IOC, but throughout a life largely dedicated to sport.”

“He and FIBA Secretary General Emeritus Borislav Stankovic worked tightly together to bring professional basketball to the Olympic Games, which has largely improved the level of competition at this event, while substantially increasing interest in it. Accordingly, the game of basketball has grown at all levels, which has benefited the sport as a whole.”

“I speak on behalf of FIBA in sending my sincerest sympathies and condolences to his family and his many friends. He will be sorely missed.”

En memoria de Juan Antonio Samaranch, Presidente Honorario del COI

La Federación Internacional de Baloncesto (FIBA) mostró su "tristeza" por el fallecimiento hoy del presidente de honor del Comité Olímpico Internacional, Juan Antonio Samaranch.

   "Es un día muy triste. Las contribuciones de Samaranch al deporte mundial y al baloncesto no tienen precio, no sólo en el tiempo en el que estuvo al frente del COI. Le echaremos mucho de menos", aseguró Patrick Baumann, secretario general de FIBA y miembro del Comité Olímpico Internacional.  

   Así, el suizo recordó la importancia del directivo catalán para el baloncesto. "Samaranch y Borislav Stankovic trabajaron muy fuerte para traer el baloncesto profesional a los Juegos Olímpicos, mejorando el nivel de la competición y aumentando así su interés", destacó Baumann, que en nombre de FIBA quiso enviar sus "condolencias a la familia y a los muchos amigos" de Samaranch.

"Juan Antonio Samaranch ha fallecido a las 13h25 el día 21 de abril de 2010 como consecuencia de una parada cardiorrespiratoria", informó el hospital Quirón barcelonés en un breve comunicado, firmado por el doctor Rafael Esteban Mur, director del Servicio de Medicina Interna.

Hombre de influencia, Samaranch ha sido uno de los españoles más conocidos de los últimos 30 años. "Desde sus muchas cualidades, quiero destacar, en primer lugar, la de español universal, que ha brillado con luz propia en la primera fila de un escenario auténticamente mundial", describió de Samaranch el rey Juan Carlos I de España, en el prólogo del libro "Memorias olímpicas", que escribiera el presidente de honor del COI.

Nacido el 17 de julio de 1920 en Barcelona en una rica familia de industriales del textil, trabajó primero en la empresa familiar. Como deportista amateur, organizó en Barcelona en 1951 los primeros campeonatos del mundo de rink-hockey (hockey sobre patines de ruedas) y consiguió la victoria del equipo español, en lo que fue un éxito que le valió el reconocimiento del dictador Francisco Franco, del que fue admirador.

El régimen franquista le nombró delegado nacional de Educación física y de deportes entre 1966 y 1977. Diplomado del Instituto Superior de Ciencias Empresariales de Barcelona, Samaranch pasó a ser profesor de economía y consejero en el sector bancario, convirtiéndose en presidente de la Caja de Ahorros Provincial de la Diputación de Barcelona, antes de ocupar desde 1987 a 1999 la presidencia de la potentísima caja de ahorros "La Caixa" de Cataluña.

Miembro del COI desde 1966, Samaranch fue el primer embajador de España en Moscú (1977-1980) tras la reanudación de las relaciones diplomáticas con la URSS.

Jefe de protocolo del COI de 1968 a 1975, y de 1979 a 1980, fue nombrado para la comisión ejecutiva en 1970 y desempeñó el cargo de vicepresidente entre 1974 a 1978 antes de acceder a la presidencia en 1980, para la que fue reelegido en tres ocasiones (1989, 1993 y 1997), antes de dejar el cargo en 2001.

En 1991, el rey Juan Carlos I de España lo nombró marqués de Samaranch por su trabajo en favor del movimiento olímpico y la atribución de los Juegos de 1992 a Barcelona, que supuso su momento más glorioso.

Los Juegos de Barcelona 92 cosecharon algunos de los mejores resultados del deporte español y Samaranch no dudo en calificarlos de "los mejores de la historia".

Viudo de María Teresa Salisachs-Rowe, fallecida el 16 de septiembre de 2000, heredera de una gran dinastía catalana de la industria textil, Samaranch es padre de un hijo, Juan Antonio, miembro del Comité Olímpico Español (COE) y del COI desde julio de 2001, y de una hija, María Teresa.

Su fin de presidencia estuvo marcado por varios problemas de salud.

En julio de 2001 fue hospitalizado en Lausana a los 81 años por una "fatiga extrema" tras el congreso del COI en Moscú. El día anterior había anunciado en la capital rusa la elección de su sucesor, el belga Jacques Rogge, tres días después de designar a Pekín sede de los Juegos de 2008.

En agosto de 2001 tuvo complicaciones agudas de hipertensión arterial debido a "un enorme esfuerzo antes y después" del congreso de Moscú, y fue hospitalizado en Barcelona.

En diciembre de 2007 volvió a ser hospitalizado en Madrid por una subida de tensión.

Samaranch, presidente vitalicio de honor del COI, no ahorró esfuerzos para volver a traer los Juegos a España de nuevo, pero su apoyo no bastó para otorgar a Madrid la sede de estos ni para 2012, que serán en Londres, ni para 2010, que se celebrarán en Río de Janeiro.

FIBA

[alexs]

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Stern ‘encourages’ players to play for their countries

NBA supremo David Stern has reaffirmed his support for international basketball.

The NBA commissioner, speaking after the NBA Europe Live announcement about the league’s pre-season games to be played next summer on the old continent, said: "We encourage our players to represent their countries.

“The World Championship continues to grow and there will be a good competition in Turkey that will lead in to a good Olympics in London which will lead in to a good Championship in Spain in 2014.

“We are cooperating with FIBA on that as we have for many years and we hope to see the competition of national teams continue to grow.”

Many of the league’s biggest stars will be at the FIBA World Championship this summer, including Team USA, which will have an entire roster of NBA players.

Most of the national teams will have current or former NBA players on their rosters in Turkey.

As for NBA Europe Live, the following games will be played:

    • New York Knicks v Armani Jeans Milano, Oct. 3, Milan ‘Mediolanum Forum’
    • Los Angeles Lakers v Minnesota Timberwolves, Oct. 4, London ‘The O2’
    • New York Knicks v Minnesota Timberwolves, Oct. 6 Paris ‘Palais Omnisports Paris Bercy’
    • Los Angeles Lakers v Minnesota Timberwolves, Oct. 7, Barcelona ‘Palau Sant Jordi’




FIBA

[greek_ball]

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Greece women take important steps in basketball

Greece are eager to build on the success of last year’s EuroBasket Women campaign in Latvia when they shocked nearly everyone with a fifth-place finish.

The ramifications were huge because the Greeks claimed the last spot on offer for the FIBA World Championship for Women.

Evina Maltsi led the Greek team and was so prolific that she was voted MVP of the EuroBasket.

It was a team effort from start to finish for the Greeks, though.

Dimitra Kalentzou was the point guard of the Greek side and is now on the books of Sony Athinaikos, a team she has helped lead to the EuroCup Women Final.

She spoke to FIBA.

FIBA: Dimitra, the FIBA World Championship for Women isn’t that far away. Greece will play the United States, France and Senegal. This must be something you are very excited about.

Dimitra Kalentzou: Of course I am looking forward to the FIBA World Championship because it is a dream that came true last summer and we will participate in this in September. We don't have the chance every day to play against the United States.

FIBA: How has the success of the national team and now, the winning streak that has put your club side Athinaikos in the EuroCup Women Final, helped women’s basketball in Greece?

Dimitra Kalentzou: For sure it has been helpful because a lot of people right now know more about women's basketball in Greece. The Greek national team during the summer and now my team, Athinaikos, are helping the Greek basketball fans to understand that the progress in women's basketball has been very big the last three years.

FIBA: Your Sony Athinaikos coach, George Dikeoulakos, was an assistant last summer for the Greece women’s team. He says that you have a very high I.Q. Does that mean that one day, you will coach basketball?

Dimitra Kalentzou: "Thank you, Coach.” Right now, I am a basketball player and I am trying to think this way. It is impossible for me to predict the future, but I am positive in this idea.

FIBA: What will the main goal be for Greece in the Czech Republic?

Dimitra Kalentzou: We play against the Olympic champions, European Champions and the African Champions. It's going to be very difficult for us, but we proved that we can manage hard situations like this. Our aim will be to go to the next phase.


Jeff Taylor FIBA

[metro_west]

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Where did all these point guards come from?

Around the time Shaquille O'Neal roamed this earth with absolute impunity, we would ask, wistfully, "where have all the big men gone?" This was not a really bad, basketball-related Kinks parody, but a real question: At least in the collective imagination, once the population of competent seven-footers (or slightly below) in the NBA was stable, even flourishing.

Then abruptly -- and this is not in any way intended to detract from Shaq's achievements -- being Michael Olowokandi was enough to get you selected number one overall. The Hack-a-Shaq strategy may have been desperate and sad, but offering up these raw meat sacrifices wouldn't have been necessary if real centers had been on the roster in their place.

Of course, the gleaming coda to it all was that Shaq, and the Lakers, were brought down by Ben and Rasheed Wallace. These two Pistons proved that the best way to defend O'Neal was not with an equal or lesser traditional big man, but with new thinking.

Theories abounded as to why seven-footers had gone the way of Andesaurus Delgadoi. Kids all wanted to be Michael Jordan, meaning they grew up working on their handle, refused to bulk up (um, okay), and all turned out shorter. The more accurate answer would be "all turned into Kevin Garnett", which didn't happen much, or "all turned into Dirk Nowitzki", which took place overseas independent of these market forces. Oddly, the supreme seven-footer of the pre-Shaq period, Hakeem Olajuwan, was acclaimed for the wing-like agility he picked up playing soccer as a youth in Nigeria -- where, it should be added, he had little interest in a future in basketball.

That's Exhibit A. Exhibit B is far less controversial. Around the mid to late-nineties, all of a sudden true point guards -- as in, smart distributors who could get theirs while holding a team together -- were in short supply. They were replaced on the map of basketball species by the dreaded combo guard, or venom-ed point.

Allen Iverson, Stephon Marbury and Steve Francis were the patron saints, but as much as it pains me to say so, Jamal Crawford and Gilbert Arenas (however redemptive he once was) belong to this wave. As did young Chauncey Billups, Mo Williams, Mike Bibby, Monta Ellis, and so on. Terrell Brandon faded out piteously, and Jason Williams, he was the old way regurgitated back in its own face. As a Maverick, even Steve Nash fell victim this syndrome. Everyone wanted to be Jordan, or something. Plenty didn't make it pro as a result. This, my friends, is how Darrell Armstrong, Jacques Vaughn, and Mark Jackson stuck around the league so long, and why Dwyane Wade was doubted.

So we have two currents in history, presumably flowing into the league from the outside: Fewer big men of note, and fewer pure point guards. No wonder everyone was so bummed. Now, let's glance at the present: We have an embarrassment of point guard riches. The paradox: They are no longer a rare commodity at the exact moment at which they have become most prized.

To stress this again, even if it bores the 'brows right off of you: The Class of 2009 boasts totally excellent PGs Brandon Jennings, Darren Collison, Ty Lawson, and putatively, Ricky Rubio. Tyreke Evans, Stephen Curry, Rodrigue Beaubois, Jonny Flynn, cannot be hailed as "pure", but their scorers' fervor by no means hampers their playmaking ability. This is the combo guard brought back from the brink. And we've yet to really see with Jrue Holiday or Eric Maynor can do, but signs are encouraging.

And already, across the league, there was Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Russell Westbrook, Steve Nash, Rajon Rondo, Tony Parker, Derrick Rose, Devin Harris, and Andre Miller.

If you're out of breath just from reading that, or skipped much, I think I've done my job. Oh, and standing atop this year's mock drafts despite his shameful loss in some amateur shin-dig over the weekend, John Wall is the grand prize in this upcoming lottery. Don't believe the backlash: Wall is a transformative force and then some, as you saw any time that Memphis Kentucky bothered to push the tempo and let their freshman guard work with the slightest bit of space. So fine, he was smothered and died, and given the quality of his teammates, that means he's vulnerable in the pros. Maybe sound logic if everyone/anyone else had pulled their weight. Downgrade John Wall at your own peril.

If that sounded like a crazy old lady trying to remember all her grandchildren, or the names of the gnomes that litter her front lawn (which is, naturally, on a major highway), it's because that's how crazy things have gotten. I don't know what the definition of a commodity is, or how much it depends on a balance between supply and demand, but we are facing the strange problem of too many sound, effective, even star-like PGs currently populating the league. The question: Is this like when the big men vanished, and has something happened to artificially generate this bunch?

I'm glad you asked. Shaky as it is, it seems as if this represents a backlash against the likes of Iverson and Marbury. Iverson, at least, is still beloved. And yet youngsters saw what a hard road he had to hoe, all because he refused to play the position he was built for. The timing doesn't work out exactly right, but then again, we're talking about some epiphany (brought on by a coach? relative? trusted adviser?) that lead these kids to see that they needed to take the PG's responsibilities seriously. In some cases, this is a stretch.

I've heard that Curry is now contending with Evans for ROY; okay, I can't argue with the wind. Regardless, that Curry went from "shooter learning the position" to "his own scoring man" to "and yet can feed with the best of them" shows that, even if it's been a learning process, Curry ended up learning how to be the guy that threw passes in Nellie-ball. Kind of like Stephen Jackson before him. There's a difference between defying the role and trying to make peace with it.

But do we really want to ascribe this shift in positional ranks to the free will of teenagers? We have also, over the last few years, seen a shift (supposedly) from the paint out to the perimeter -- or, in other words, the point guard can now be as important as the big man when it comes to building a franchise. Looking at the Hornets or Suns, it's hard to not see where this thinking comes from.

Then again, didn't they change some rules at some point to enable zone and encourage ball movement, open shots, and faster play? I forgot exactly what happened, but its the changes in defensive standards that seem to have had the most pronounced effect. As has been said a million times over, speedy guards can now go to town. No one could touch them before, and now they really can't. If the crossover is as much about creating space as showing off, this provided a built-in move. As Ziller put it, the rules provided Nash with a crossover. All of a sudden, he had that much more space around him to see the floor, or start winding toward the basket.

The question remains, though, why so many point guards? The explosive production of rookie Marcus Thornton has shown that scorers, as much as point guards like his teammate Darren Collison, can produce speaking-in-tongues numbers when no one expected. There is, strictly speaking, no reason that someone from the previous, benighted generation wouldn't have been able to increase their impact under the new rules.

The point is, then, that even with Evans, or Curry (you can make whatever you want of Nellie-ball stats, frankly), there's an ethical imperative to mind the distributor, or at least shaper-of-possession, part of playing the one. That, as much as the rules, accounts for the rabbitz-like explosion of PGs. Is there a video game called Rabbitz?

It's entirely possible that whoever draws the Number of John Wall in the lottery may already feel set at that position. Still, unless that team is Utah or New Orleans, they still have to pull the trigger. Otherwise, they face the equivalent of passing on Michael Jordan because of Clyde Drexler as the Age of the Point Guard reaches its zenith. Two point-guard line-ups are possible, maybe even for Jerry Sloan.

The Hornets alone could justify a pass, if only because Paul is heavenly, Collison the ideal back-up, and Wall an unknown factor. That team needs to return to prominence, and any number of other highly-rated prospects in 2010 could help get them there. Point guards are somehow at a premium even as they fall from the sky, but this can only continue for so much longer. Then again, the Twin Towers didn't do so badly for themselves. Nor did -- watch me now -- Pau Gasol and a hobbled Andrew Bynum last spring.


From NBA Fanhouse and FIBA

[Lucas311]

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Question-and-answer with USA Basketball’s Jerry Colangelo

A month after the announcement of USA Basketball’s new national pool of players, Jerry Colangelo, national director for USA Basketball and the former owner of the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury, was able to squeeze in some time for an interview with the BusinessMirror.

BusinessMirror: How does USA Basketball keep its National Basketball Association (NBA) players focused on team play, winning and the competition when on international duty? After the gold medal in Beijing, how do you prevent any letdown in intensity and focus?

Jerry Colangelo: All of the USA team members are professionals, and so competing to win, while focusing on playing as a team and setting aside personal goals are things that are part of their lives every time they step on the court. A question I’m often asked is about managing all the players’ egos and I can honestly state it has never been a problem because our players are aware that they are representing more than themselves or their professional teams. They know they are playing for their country, which is the highest honor for an athlete. We also are very fortunate to have a very talented coaching staff, led by Duke University’s Hall of Fame head coach Mike Krzyzewski. The players respect coach K and he has a special ability of connecting with the players and getting buy-in from them. The composition of the USA Basketball teams for 2010-12 will be different than it was in 2008, just as the teams in 2006 and 2007 that represented the United States in various Fiba or Fiba Americas competitions were different than the 2008 Olympic Team.

Each team develops its own chemistry and character, and while we have the entire coaching staff from the 2006-08 USA National Team back and some of the players from 2006-08 back as well, it will still take time for the players to find their roles and to play as a team. We do not expect any letdown. We all know 2008 was a great experience and an accomplishment to be proud of, but that is in the past now. We’re starting the building of another USA Basketball national team all over again, and the fact that the United States has not won a World Championship since 1994 is not lost on anyone involved with the 2010-12 USA Basketball national team.

BusinessMirror: Is it difficult to persuade an NBA player to be in the national pool? How do you account for fatigue because of the long NBA season?

Jerry Colangelo: I haven’t found it to be difficult to secure commitments from NBA players. You have to accept that there will be injuries and personal issues for some of the players. But we’re fortunate to have a tremendous pool of gifted players to be able to choose from. In building the 2006-08 national team, we were able to change the program’s atmosphere and its perception in a positive way. Thanks to the commitment of the 33 players who were part of our 2006-08 national team, it again became a prestigious and a desirable thing to the players to be part of. The players know what an honor it is to be selected to the USA team and to represent their country, and they also understand the commitment that has to be made if we are going to be successful. Most players in the NBA have reached that level because they are gifted and because they are extremely competitive. They love playing against the best and certainly the Olympics and World Championships present an opportunity to represent your country and play with and against the best players from around the world.

BusinessMirror: After Beijing, what countries look to offer the toughest competition to the US and why? What has Team USA learned from the past Tournament of the Americas and the Olympics in terms of playing the international brand of basketball and their skills improvement?

Jerry Colangelo: With a field of 24 teams competing in the World Championship there are a number of teams that should be considered medal contenders in 2010. Spain, Argentina, Greece, Lithuania, Croatia, Brazil and Serbia are all excellent teams and there are any number of other teams that are also capable of putting a run together to win the World Championship. What makes this World Championship such an exciting competition is the format. From the Eight-Finals through the quarterfinals, semifinals and the championship game, it’s whoever is best that day and we know there are many teams that possess the talent required to win on any given night. And that’s all it takes, being the best on that one night. These aren’t the best-of -three or best-of-seven series. These are a series of sudden-death games where only the winner lives on to compete for the gold medal. The primary obstacles the US faces whenever it fields a team in international competition are becoming a team, determining each player’s role on the team and becoming familiar with the style of international basketball. It takes time to build a team and many of the other national teams that we will face have the advantage of having played together for years. Also, the international basketball style is different than the NBA style and what many of our players are used to. The games are shorter than NBA games, and the passion of the players and their fans can make games electrifying.

BusinessMirror: How fun is it to be at the helm of USA Basketball?

Jerry Colangelo: I’ve enjoyed my experiences with USA Basketball, it has been tremendously rewarding. It was rewarding in 2006-08 when I served as managing director of the USA Basketball men’s mational team and had the opportunity to start and build a men’s national team program. It was gratifying to rebuild the men’s national team and see USA teams capture gold at the 2007 Fiba Americas Championship and the 2008 Olympics. I also take a great deal of satisfaction in seeing NBA stars once again really wanting to be part of the national team program, taking pride in representing their country, and in our teams doing so many positive things on the court for the sport of basketball and off the court as well.

Now that I have been elected chairman of the 2009-12 USA Basketball board of directors, I’m enjoying having the opportunity to be involved with all of the USA Basketball teams, men’s and women’s teams at the national, collegiate and developmental levels. Our women’s program is remarkable. Our women are ranked No. 1 in the world by Fiba, they’ve won 63 of their last 64 games in major international competitions and they’ve won an amazing four consecutive Olympic gold medals. USA Basketball has a tremendously successful tradition for its men’s and women’s teams and I’m looking forward to working with USA Basketball’s CEO/Executive Director Jim Tooley, his staff, and all of the coaches and players who will play for USA Basketball teams over the next couple of years and continuing to build on those successes.

BusinessMirror: Can you tell us what is so far your most memorable moment in your tenure with USA Basketball?

Jerry Colangelo: There honestly have been many. Obviously, defeating Spain in that great gold-medal game in Beijing at the Olympics was very memorable. So was seeing the joy on the faces of our players and coaches who had put in three summers of work. Recapturing the Olympic gold for the United States was incredible rewarding experience, but so, too, was seeing our program build over the three years and finish up by playing a beautiful game. Also, seeing the USA men and women teams win Olympic gold is quite an achievement. All of the players involved not only played basketball at a very high level, but they respected the game and represented themselves and their country in an exemplary manner and I’m very proud of that. There are also a lot of other special memories—our numerous interactions with members of the US Armed Forces, the many great people we meet during our travels. As I said, I have a lot of great memories from the past four years and I’m sure we’re going to have many more.


From businessmirror.com.ph by FIBA

[sammy]

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NBA Basketball Stats Cutting Edge

With the advent and increasing popularity of fantasy leagues, video games, internet forums, sports radio and online betting, never before have the jobs of owner, coach or general manager been so heavily present in the media.

Every fan or player can see himself in those roles and communicating about it is considered by many as quite amusing. This weekend I watched a very interesting video on espn.com called “Dorkapaloosa” which showed an MIT forum treating the subject of advanced statistical analysis and team performance in pro sports.

The NBA was represented on the panel by Dallas owner Mark Cuban, Houston GM, Darryl Morey, and espn.com funny man Bill Simmons. Cuban is the best example of a modern-day internet mogul, hands-on owner who knows how to use new technology and marketing genius to rebuild his franchise, win games and put fannies into seats. Morey represents a new breed of young, highly-educated math wiz applying his savoir faire to making smart personnel decisions and trying to get an edge on opponents by breaking down statistically their tendencies, strengths and weaknesses in various game situations.

Number-crunching can give an edge if used and applied intelligently by coaches and players (for instance, knowing from which spots on the floor certain teams or players will have a better or worse shooting percentage). But there are limits to their relevancy when you include parameters of individual and group psychology often described as team chemistry. Teams test future draft picks or free agents with a battery of physical and psychological exams, running thorough background checks through scouts and networking.

Simmons and Cuban pointed out that all the math geniuses applying their skills to data analysis in sports will soon reach a ceiling and the next frontier will be on the psychological side because in the last few years, team chemistry issues have often been decisive in major personnel decisions after years of free spending and over-paying many NBA players on raw talent alone.

In these times of falling revenue, the goal for the teams is to get the biggest bang for their buck by finding undervalued players, what I would describe as the Spurs school of smart management. The best example of that this season is the Oklahoma City Thunder GM, Sam Presti and his hand-chosen Coach of the Year Scott Brooks, who have transformed a group of relatively inexpensive young bucks.

The group of Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, James Harden and Russell Westbrook plus an experienced Serbian Nenad Kristic, along with an inexperienced Congolese Serge Ibaka and a Swiss defensive gem Thabo Sefolosha all add up to make a cohesive and enthusiastic unit on both ends of the court.

The Thunder’s surprising fifth place in the strong western conference attests to their brilliant management skills and personnel decisions in a business where making the right choice 50 percent of the time is considered the average!

This brings us to wonder if the new owner in Charlotte, Michael Jordan, will develop a Jerry West-like golden touch for personnel decisions along with a Mark Cuban-like hands-on marketing strategy. Or will he disappoint in much the same way that Elgin Baylor, the former GM, and Donald Sterling, the owner, have disappointed Clippers fans for 30 years!

From a personal standpoint, I have to admit that all this geeky, computer science applied to basketball bores me as much as salary cap science, but I do agree with Mark Cuban that the NBA could modernise their game stats to more realistically describe the action.

We must find ways (as Dean Smith did 50 years ago – this stuff isn't so new after all!) to better evaluate defensive performance through individual opponent's real shooting percentage, ball pressure, deflections, changing opponent’s shots, possessions gained by diving on the floor, efficient rotations, charges taken, etc…

On offense, let’s calculate accurate overall player evaluations by touches, efficient screens, passes leading to an assist, keeping offensive rebounds alive, spacing and a multitude of other factors that are just as important as classic stats!

Don’t worry, the smart teams already do calculate this stuff! In the end, I think that the glorious incertitude of sports is what attracts us the most because the teams with the biggest budget and most talent don’t always win the championship and the human parameters of preparation, hard work, courage, solidarity, perseverance, abnegation, cohesiveness, leadership and smart management are often decisive.


George EDDY from FIBA

[freeball]

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Fans react to Manu Ginobili possibly playing this summer

Spurs fans are keeping a close eye on Manu Ginobili's future with the Spurs. "Will he or won't he resign?" seems to be on their lips.

Recently, Manu made comments on possibly playing for Argentina in this summer's FIBA 2010 World Championship in Turkey.

The fan reaction was mixed and as one fan points out, Manu playing in the summer could mean good things for the Spurs the following season.

John at MundoAlbiceleste said the following:

"Let’s not forget, every time Manu comes back from International duty; it seems like he and the Spurs will go to have a great season (apart from 2008 that is).

2002 – FIBA World Championship Runners Up
2003 – NBA Championship
2004 – Athens Olympic Gold Medalist Winner 2005 – 2nd NBA Championship
2006 – FIBA World Championship Semi-Finalist
2007 – 3rd NBA Championship
2008 – Beijing Olympic Bronze Medalist Winner
2009 – Unfortunately he had an injury prone season
2010 – Another great outing at the FIBA Worlds?
2011 – Another NBA Championship?"

Spurs Fan Henry said:

"Yeah John we love Manu if he wants to play for his country so be it."

Mark_M said:

"He can play just promise that he won't get injured!"

Beverly chimed in with this:

"I think that Manu needs to sit out for the summer. Afterall, his wife is about to have twins. He needs to be home to play daddy. And he is prone to injury. He needs to be healthy so the Spurs can win again next year."

As you can see, fans seems to be split down the middle on Manu playing this summer. It will be a hot topic should both parties sit down and discuss contract extension for Manu.

[javier_bol]

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Reinventing the wheel in NCAA Basketball March Madness 2010

It's not news that the NCAA is unfamiliar with the expression 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it'.

This we knew.

But the latest needless plans to reform March Madness are just beyond stupid.

I've been avoiding this issue over the last few weeks, trying to focus instead on actual basketball, but I've reached breaking point.

So here's my anti-expansion rant.

The whole history of the tournament has been one of expansion. Until 1950 there were just eight teams (imagine!), then 16, 22, 32, 40, 48, 52, 53, 64 and then 65 (itself a bizarre, dumb concept).

But while the numbers crept up as the number of Division I teams grew through the years, the NCAA is now considering a Big Bang-like expansion adding 31 teams, making it a 96-team free-for-all.

Ninety-six teams. That should be great, right? Think of all that basketball! But really, who wants a bunch of teams barely good enough to make up the numbers at the NIT taking over our beloved Tourney?

Bracketologists over at ESPN did the math on a 96-team tourney and came up with these numbers for how many teams would get in from each conference if it were in effect this season:

" Big East ( 13 ) " ACC ( 8 ) " Big 12 ( 8 ) " Atlantic 10 ( 6 ) " Big Ten ( 6 ) " SEC ( 6 ) " Conference USA ( 5 ) " Missouri Valley ( 5 ) " Colonial ( 4 ) " Mountain West ( 4 ) " Pac-10 ( 4 ) " WAC ( 4 ) " West Coast ( 3 ) " Metro-Atlantic ( 2 ) " Mid-American ( 2 )

The number of bids from the big conferences is just plain ridiculous. Thirteen teams from the Big East? Is there even any need to bother with a regular season if everyone is playing into March anyway?

The most interesting storylines this season, such as the will-they-won't-they battle UConn faces to get into the Big Dance would be gone, because everyone is going, whether they deserve to or not.

As late as 1975 only one team per conference made it to the promised land (before the tournament grew beyond 25 teams for the first time). But now we're talking about letting conferences in en masse.

Not only that, we'd be welcoming teams that couldn't even come up with a winning record in the mid-majors.

The only argument in favour of such huge expansion is that next time the NCAA inevitably sits down to 'fix' the tournament, it would, for once, be broken.

In It To Win?

What is a college basketball coach's job?

This topic has come up since Texas Rick Barnes came out last week and claimed that he rates the target of winning a national championship behind putting players in the NBA.

That's right. He doesn't care about winning, as long as his players get drafted.

Wait. What?

"We would love to win a national championship, but we're not obsessed with it because we're obsessed with these guys trying to live their NBA dream," Barnes said. "What's happened to Kevin Durant, LaMarcus Aldridge, T.J. Ford -- I'd give up a national title for all of our guys to be able to live their dream."

Sure, a coach at college level has a much bigger job than just winning, and that's because his or her job also involves developing the players not only as athletes but also a students and as people.

They check they get to class on time, that they don't step out of line off the court, that they fulfil their responsibilities.

It's right that a coach should prioritise the future of his players over winning, at least to a degree. This is part of the fundamental discipline in a program, and part of making sure there is not a win-at-all-costs culture in an environment that is, after all, amateur and part of an educational process.

But that responsibility to the players extends far beyond three letters. The NBA is not a realistic goal for the vast majority of college players, even at a top-level program like Texas.

Maybe Barnes' comments are just a recruiting tool - too many players coming out of high school today are far more concerned with which round they might get picked in than whether they might be going to the school that gives them the best chance to win or to get on in life.

But then what do you need to recruit top-level talent for if you don't actually care about winning anything?

Barnes needs to check his job description. I'm pretty sure he's not a talent scout for the NBA. I'm pretty sure he's head basketball coach at the University of Texas.

No Gratitude

Jarvis Varnado specialises in seeing what you've got and throwing it right back at you.

The Mississppi State senior is college basketball's career blocks leader with 546.

But one of his own team-mates has accepted a huge gift from Varnado, and essentially tossed it right back in his face.

Coming into his final year, Varnado made the huge gesture of giving up his scholarship so State could sign bluechip recruit Renardo Sidney.

Varnado does not come from a family that can necessarily afford this kind of generosity - his father has had to take out a loan to cover tuition fees.

But this week Sidney was ruled ineligible for the rest of the season and a third of the next after receiving $11,800 in improper benefits.

Way to repay your most generous team-mate.

2K For No. 1?

You wait forever for a program to rack up 2,000 wins, and then three come along at once.

First Kentucky did it earlier this season, then North Carolina followed.

Now Kansas is one game away after beating Missouri 77-56.

The Jayhawks may be coming in third, but they should have one advantage over the Wildcats and Tar Heels.

Thanks to Syracuse's loss to Louisville and Kentucky's loss to Tennessee, Kansas will take their shot at 2K as the No. 1 ranked team in the land.

Tweet Tweet

Some people never learn.

Idaho senior guard Kashif Watson used Twitter last week to publicly criticise coach Don Verlin last week, claiming the program would never win with Verlin coaching the team.

Excuse the grammar, but it read like this: "Don't gett how we pose to win wit this guy coachin us, just don't want it that bad I guess."

Not smart, Kashif, not smart.

Think Verlin's not going to see that? So Watson got suspended, for senior night no less. How did we find out?

He tweeted about it, of course.


Smokey Roberts from FIBA

[oVserver]

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NBA Basketball: NBA Trades and Free Agents 2010 Deadline

Now that the NBA trade deadline is behind us, things seem much clearer to me concerning this season's playoffs and also the destinations of top free agents this coming summer.

The biggest trade from both standpoints is obviously the arrival of Antawn "the gentleman" Jamison as LeBron James' new sidekick in Cleveland. He didn't take long to intelligently fit into his new role on the best team in the league right now, which is no small feat considering he had accumulated some bad habits playing on one of the worst teams, Washington.

Habits typical for losers like forcing bad shots and not playing defence but all of that is long past and Jamison is the perfect complement to LeBron's penetrating game by spotting up for corner threes and crashing the boards when James fires from outside.

Antawn also complements perfectly Anderson Varejao who bangs in the paint but can't shoot from beyond 15 feet. Let's add that in my 25 years covering the NBA, only Grant Hill matches Jamison's sincere kindness with the fans and the media.

For me, Danny Ferry made a brilliant two-pronged move to make the Cavs just as dangerous for the title as LA or Orlando in June but also a quasi-guarantee that he'll be able to convince James to stay because no other team except the Lakers would give James a better shot at winning several titles in the coming years.

I don't believe for a second that LeBron will sign on to rebuild the pathetic Knicks or Nets; leaving his home state, just for a few extra marketing dollars. This is the crucial moment when we will find out if LeBron is really about winning or just about money!

Shaq's thumb injury is luckily not such a big deal because Ilgauskas will sign up soon with his beloved Cavs and O'Neal will be back to bang with Dwight Howard (he's already started playing mind games with big Dwight!) and the Lakers' towering trio in May and June and in between time the Cavs are cruising to the best record in the league and home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.

Ferry learned the business from the masters, Popovich and Buford in San Antonio and he's making all the right moves. The other trades pale in comparison and I would go so far as to predict that this summer Bosh will join Wade in Miami, Stoudemire will sign with Chicago and Joe Johnson will end up being the Knicks' consolation prize.

Teams like Washington, Detroit, New Jersey and the Clippers will have lots of money to invest but no one to sign!

Surprises are always possible but the scenario I just laid out for you is very logical. I'd like to wrap this article up by underlining the amazing stats that the young French guard Rodrigue Beaubois is putting up with a peaking Dallas team, the other big winner in the trade sweepstakes by acquiring Butler and Haywood (wow, Washington is helping everybody but themselves right now).

With Jason Terry out for two weeks, Roddy will get plenty of opportunities to confirm his new status and he will also be an excellent replacement for Tony Parker on the French national team this summer at the World Championship in Turkey if Parker confirms his non-participation.

One last point, the top eight in the west is pretty much set because Memphis, Houston and New Orleans are running out of gas down the stretch!


by George Eddy from FIBA

[james_ball]

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Unknown Legend: Who is the winningest coach
in men's college basketball?

Bob Knight? No. His record of 903 victories was surpassed last week by Herb Magee at Division II Philadelphia University.

But even Magee is playing catch up.

The honour belongs to Don Meyer, another Division II coach, at Northern State, a small college in Aberdeen, South Dakota.

On Saturday, he coached the final game of his career, signing off with a 56-51 loss to Southwest Minnesota State.

But that counts as a rare loss for a man who racked up 923 victories in his 38-year career.

You can debate whether or not Meyer deserves the honour of topping both Magee and Knight, and many may say not when they learn that 665 of those victories came at Lipscomb when it was an NAIA school.

But the fact is, the NCAA counts those victories, and if its good enough for the NCAA, well, then it's the record.

Meyer got there through relentless intensity, contantly on his players to fix the errors in their game until they were able to execute his game plan flawlessly.

"It wasn't always a bed of roses," Wade Tomlinson, who was on Meyer's 1986 NAIA championship winning team, told ESPN.

"I can remember going back to my dorm room and visualizing holding him down and punching his head. But he is exactly what an 18-to-24-year-old male needs at that time in their life. He was exactly what I needed."

There can be no greater example of Meyer's intensity than what happened on September 5, 2008, and then on every day since.

That night, Meyer fell asleep at the wheel, and drifted into the path of a semi hauling 60,000 pounds of corn.

Meyer broke every rib in his body, had to have his spleen removed, and ultimately lost most of his left leg, confining him to a wheelchair and later a walker.

If that wasn't enough, surgeons operating on him that night also discovered he had cancer.

But Meyer never quit. He fought and beat the cancer. And he continued to coach, with all of his trademark fire, from his walker on the sidelines.

Earlier this year, Meyer was finally forced to admit that it was becoming too much for him, and he called time on his career.

“It is time for someone with more energy and time available to deal with the unique challenges of a basketball program like Northern State,” Meyer said in a statement last week announcing his retirement.

He departs as the record holder, and, even though Magee is likely to take that from him in the not-too-distant future, Meyer's legacy will live on not in numbers, but in the hearts of the hundreds of players he ever coached.

Because that is how it always works for the greatest coaches.


by Smokey Roberts from FIBA

[campball]

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College education important for Turkey’s Balbay

Dogus Balbay has called his time with Turkey’s national teams “the best experience” of his life.

The promising point guard, a 21-year-old college player with the Texas Longhorns, has excelled for the under-16, under-18 and under-20 Turkey national teams and one day hopes to suit up and play for Bogdan Tanjevic’s senior side.

He will have to overcome the second serious knee injury of his young career, however, before that happens after getting hurt in a game against Texas Tech over the weekend.

Texas athletic trainer Eric Fry has issued a statement that said: “MRI results showed that Dogus Balbay tore the ACL in his left knee. He will miss the remainder of the season.”

Balbay injured his knee as a freshman but battled back to become an integral part of the Longhorns.

A junior this season, he played in all 27 games and made 22 starts at point guard for nationally ranked Texas.

While basketball is a very important part of Balbay’s life and will continue to be once he recovers from his latest injury, his decision to get a college degree in America looks smarter now than ever.

Before his latest setback, he had spoken about the decision to go to the United States in an interview for FIBA.com.

Here is part of that interview.

FIBA: Dogus, why did you decide to play college basketball instead of launching your professional career in Turkey?

Dogus Balbay: I knew that it was going to be really hard playing basketball and going to school at the same time in Turkey, so I decided to come to the States because I wanted to get my degree and play basketball at the same time. I didn't really care about playing for a professional team because your degree is really important. You're going to be done with basketball when you get to be 35 or 40. That was the main point, to go to school, get my degree, and play basketball at the same time.

FIBA: What are you majoring in and what career would you like to have after you play professional basketball?

Dogus Balbay: I'm majoring in Middle Eastern studies. One of the reasons I picked this is because it's familiar to me. I have some background about Middle Eastern studies. I wanted to learn more about the Middle Eastern countries around Turkey. It includes Turkey, too. I think it's really interesting. I'm learning a lot about Turkey's neighbors. I don't know what I'm going to do after my basketball career, but I'm sure after getting my degree in Middle Eastern studies, it's going to open a lot of doors for me.

FIBA: There are so many places where you could have gone to college. Why Texas? What kind of coach is Rick Barnes?

Dogus Balbay: Texas being one of the best is one of the reasons I came here. This was the only school I officially visited. I really liked it as soon as I walked on the campus and saw the facilities. I said, ‘Yeah, this is the school I like. I want to come to Texas.' I can really tell this is one of the best schools academically and athletically in the United States. Working with Coach Barnes, he is one of the best college coaches. He is a great person. He's always thinking about his players. He wants his players to get better every day. This is a great opportunity for me to work with him every day. He's not just talking about basketball, he talks about life too, from his experience. He's a great person and a great coach.

FIBA: Was it difficult to adjust to the game in America when you arrived from Turkey several years ago?

Dogus Balbay: It was kind of hard because I realized that in the States, basketball is more about individual play. You've got to be really talented, strong and athletic in order to do some special things. In Europe, you don't really have to have those talents. I would say American basketball is more individual and Europe is slower paced.

FIBA: How did the experience with Turkey's youth national teams help you develop as a player and also, what did it mean for you to compete for your country?

Dogus Balbay: Playing for the national team helped me a lot. It was the best experience I've had in my life. I played for the under-16, under-18 and under-20 teams. We did a really good job in the competitions. We won the European Championship in the under-16 group. We got fourth place a couple times and we got third place another time. I had a great time playing for the national team. It really helped me a lot to get to the United States. Playing for my country is the biggest honor to me. Representing my country in competition was great. You had the flag on your chest. You're just playing like it's your last game. That's how you fight for your country.

FIBA: Which country do you like to play against most in international competition and why?

Dogus Balbay: I guess I could say Spain because basketball is at a really high level in Spain. Their basketball IQs are really high. They have some talented players at each age group. Every time I played against Spain, I was really having fun out there.

FIBA: What does it mean for Turkey to host the FIBA World Championship? Do you think Turkey will win a medal and possibly gold?

Dogus Balbay: It's a great opportunity for Turkey. We're going to have a lot of tourists come watch the games. They'll also see the cities and the country and learn about our culture. I think it's going to be great for our country. It's going to help us economically and with everything. It's going to be our goal to try to get a medal in this World Championship. We can definitely do it if we really get prepared and work hard. We have great players. That's going to be our goal.


Jeff Taylor from FIBA

[reubens]

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FIBA – Beyond fiba.com: discover the growing FIBA online family

The event website for the FIBA U17 World Championship for Women, france2010.fiba.com, was launched in Toulouse on the occasion of the draw for the first round, and here at fiba.com we thought we would use this opportunity to take a closer look at the FIBA online family.

fiba.com, which was born in 1996, has seen many different faces and has had a variety of different looks as it has grown.

It remains the central platform for keeping up to date with the institutional and sporting news of world basketball.

Need to take a look at the latest rules and regulations? fiba.com has them here!

Want the latest and most trustworthy stories and information about international basketball? Look no further than the fiba.com news section!

Basketball is your livelihood and you cannot afford to remain uninformed? Visit our continually updated Experts Corner!

Born into a dynasty that traces its roots back to 1932, fiba.com is no orphan. The website archive.fiba.com provides you with extensive stats and information about past FIBA Championships. Search for information according to participating teams/countries, Championships and even players.

The FIBA Hall of Fame counts among the extended family. If he or she is a basketball legend, then there’s a good chance you can find them at halloffame.fiba.com, which will remind you of the game’s rich heritage.

Back to fiba.com, which is now firmly settled into adulthood having become the head of a steadily growing online FIBA family.

Already established offspring includes the five FIBA Zone websites, and an ever-growing number of event sites.

With specific event-related information – travel tips, guides to host cities, detailed game reports and a home page for each participating team – our events sites are intended to help travelling fans, while ensuring that those who can’t attend nevertheless feel at the heart of the action.

And so france2010.fiba.com has joined the other three up-and-running online event websites, all relating to the 2010 World Championships – turkey2010.fiba.com, czechrepublic2010.fiba.com and hamburg2010.fiba.com.

One of the younger members among the FIBA online family, FIBAtv.com was launched in 2009. This high-quality video on demand and live streaming service guarantees you won’t miss any of the action. Watch archive games, interviews, our weekly show and, of course, catch World Championship games live on FIBAtv.com.

But the more youthful additions are FIBA’s new media and social networking sites.

Our very own myFIBA is a community website that lets you set up your own webpage tailored to your tastes and needs. Create a profile, display your photos and videos…you can even share your personal stats! Express yourself freely and make new friends who share your passion for basketball. Whether you’re a player, a coach or just a fan, myfiba.com has something for you.

Twitter , Facebook and YouTube represent the youngest branches of the FIBA online family tree. Refreshingly dynamic, occasionally a little cheeky, they have the exuberance of youth that too often mellows with age.

Having quickly blossomed to become a significant online community, FIBA’s facebook page has given rise to plenty of interesting discussions, with basketball fans from around the world interacting on a wide range of topics. Be heard and share your opinions with the thousands of basketball fans who have joined our facebook page over the past months.

Our YouTube channel is also generating plenty of enthusiasm. With videos that include interviews, game highlights and a number of compilations, watching and sharing the best basketball action has never been easier.

If you’re always on the go but still need to know what’s going on, if you want a great overview but don’t always have the time to dig deeper, simply subscribe to our tweets and you’ll be kept up to date with what’s going on in the international game.

Or simply try surfing FIBA.com/mobile on your phone. You will find all of our content on a platform specifically designed for mobile devices, making fiba.com great experience wherever you are.

Whoever you are and whatever you are after, if you love basketball, then FIBA’s online family has something for you.

So take a look at what our different websites have to offer and join the millions of fans who visit us to keep up to date, share their views or just be entertained by the great game of basketball.


FIBA

[triniDad]

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For Coach K is too early to know
which players will show up for Team USA

DURHAM (2010 FIBA World Championship) - United States coach Mike Krzyzewski is excited about the make-up of his national team roster for the next three years but admits it's far too early to know which players will be in Istanbul for the 2010 FIBA World Championship.

Nine of the 12 members of the gold-medal winning 2008 Olympic side were among 27 players named in the USA national team for 2010-2012 on Wednesday.

Beijing Games stars Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade are among those selected.

"This is the first step is naming the pool, announcing the pool, and then we see what happens with all the guys with family situations, with injuries, contracts and all that," Krzyzewski said in a teleconference.

The United States have an embarrassment of riches, especially when considering the number of quality players, potential future all-stars like Stephen Curry of Golden State and Brandon Jennings of Milwaukee, who are not involved.

Bryant, James, Wade and Chris Bosh were very important to the United States at the Beijing Games. Each was called upon to make important contributions in the gold-medal game against Spain, however, each has a question mark hanging over his head before Turkey.

James, Wade and Bosh are going to be free agents while Bryant has battled injuries this season.

"I would say this about Kobe: He is totally committed to USA Basketball," USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo said. "He has been. It's very much appreciated.

"That is why he is part of this pool, because of his interest in continuing. There is no doubt that a lot of players have wear and tear during the course of their careers, and that's why it's important not to put the cart before the horse.

"We are taking one step at a time here. We're hopeful that all of our players are going to be healthy for our mini-camp in July, but only time will tell. As far as Kobe, we couldn't say enough things about him in terms of his leadership and the job he did for us in this last run we had."

Krzyzewski was appointed coach of Team USA in 2005 and led the team on a rampage at the 2006 FIBA World Championship until they faced Greece in the Semi-Finals.

The Greeks upset the Americans 101-95.

That result served notice that nothing could be left to chance in international basketball, and Team USA has been supremely focused and aware of the pitfalls ever since.

Player availability is something that Krzyzewski has no control over.

"Over the three years, a little bit over three years, that I was associated with (Team USA) before, I learned not to, like what Jerry said, put the cart ahead of the horse because there is just a lot of human things that go on," Krzyzewski said ahead of his Duke Blue Devils basketball team’s game against the University of North Carolina.

"We have to allow those things to go on and then react accordingly, but having a strong pool gives us some flexibility in that regard."

The United States will take on Slovenia, Brazil, Croatia, Iran and Tunisia in the Preliminary Round at the FIBA World Championship.

All of their games in the tournament will be played in Istanbul.


Jeff TAYLOR for FIBA

[ver_onica]

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BRA – Brazil supremo Carlos Nunes thinks big

RIO DE JANEIRO (2010 FIBA World Championships) - Big things are happening in Brazil, the land of the gold-medalists at last year’s FIBA Americas Championship.

The country is gearing up for this year’s FIBA World Championship in Turkey, where Brazil will take on Team USA, Croatia, Slovenia, Tunisia and Iran.

But it also has one eye on the 2016 Olympic Games that will be in Rio de Janeiro.

The country’s basketball confederation decided recently to put the reins in the hands of Ruben Magnano, the coach of the Argentina side that finished runners-up at the 2002 FIBA World Championship and then clinched gold two years later at the Athens Games.

Brazil Basketball Confederation president Carlos Nunes gave this interview to Jeff Taylor for FIBA.com.

FIBA: Mr Nunes, after playing well in Athens at the 2008 Olympic Qualifying Tournament but failing to qualify for the Beijing Games, Moncho Monsalve led a much stronger team to the FIBA Americas Championship gold medal last summer. Did he meet your expectations in his two years as coach of the national team?

Carlos Nunes: Moncho did an excellent job with the Brazilian national team. Our spot to Beijing 2008 was very close to us. If we had had the complete team, I can assure you the Brazilian team would have taken part in the 2008 Olympics in China. Moncho brought a breath for Brazilian basketball and after the FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Athens, we knew he could lead the team to the title in the FIBA Americas Championship in Puerto Rico last year. It is also import to say that we had a very committed staff and players who showed a lot of professional spirit.

FIBA: Did Moncho’s back operation before Christmas contribute to his departure from the national team? Why exactly was the decision taken to have a change and appoint Ruben Magnano?

Carlos Nunes: We had a contract with Moncho until the end of 2009 and we were very surprised with his recovery. The surgery had nothing to do with our decision to change the coach. We built a project that goes from the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey until the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Moncho could stay with us until Olympics in London 2012 at tops and for that reason, we needed somebody who could stay with us from the beginning until the end of the project. Of course we want to win everything in the next six years, but we are going to work thinking in a long-term focus on the Olympic Games we are going to hold. It is everybody’s dream to win an Olympic medal in our home, with our fans. Our goal is to make this dream come true. Rubén Magnano is an excellent coach, with a very impressive record with the Argentina national team, compatible with our goal. He has the silver medal at 2002 FIBA World Championship and the gold medal at the 2004 Olympics, which made him the perfect candidate for the job.

FIBA: Other than winning a silver medal at the 2002 FIBA World Championship and a gold medal at the 2004 Olympics, what about Ruben Magnano impresses you?

Carlos Nunes: Of course the results are very important, but the most important thing is the work philosophy that Magnano implanted during the five years he worked at the Argentinian Federation with the senior and youth categories. He is a very serious and competent professional.

FIBA: Brazil had a very difficult group at the 2006 FIBA World Championship and failed to progress beyond Group C in Hamamatsu. What are your thoughts about the recent draw in Turkey which placed Brazil in Group B with Team USA, Slovenia, Croatia, Iran and Tunisia?

Carlos Nunes: There is no weakest or strongest team in this group. The 2010 FIBA World Championship is a hard competition and all groups are very difficult. Our group is very good and we are going to have a great preparation to achieve the best result. Our first game will be against Iran and we have good chances of victory. It is very important to begin the World Championship with a positive result.

FIBA: How does hosting the Olympics help the basketball movement in Brazil?

Carlos Nunes: The Olympic Games in Brazil will represent an expressive investment for all sports, technical and structural. In our case, we are having results from the 2006 FIBA World Championship for Women and 2007 Pan-American Games. The number of basketball players and fans increased in Brazil. I am sure that in the next few years, basketball will grow even more.

FIBA: The women’s team will play in the Czech Republic. Is winning a medal a real possibility? Can you see the day when Brazil can once again win a world title, as in 1994?

Carlos Nunes: Our goal is always to win. All preparations are made for winning titles. The World Championship is not different. Talent we have. And to do in Czech Republic what we achieved in Australia in 1994, we looked for foreign coaches for our national team to amplify our options. Our director Hortencia Marcari went to Europe to talk to a few coaches and we are going to have a name in a few days. It is important to remember that (coach) Paulo Bassul is still part of our plans.

FIBA: Since being elected president, what has been the biggest challenge that you have faced? Is this job harder than you expected?

Carlos Nunes: I took over the presidency of the CBB in a very important year, with important competitions for the senior and youth teams and we had the challenge to keep the administrative changes away from our team’s preparations. We achieved important results. We won the title of FIBA Americas Championship for Men in Puerto Rico and guaranteed our spot in Turkey. We held the women’s competition and ended with the title and the spot for Czech Republic. We also received a lot of compliments about the tournament organization, which has given us a lot more confidence and motivation to apply as host city for the FIBA America Olympic Qualifying in 2011. This year we have the World Championship and we will give all necessary support for both teams, men and women. We already started our preparation, searching for competent coaches to lead our teams to the title. We also have to win our spot in two more World Championships. This year, our under-18 teams will play the FIBA Americas Championship looking for a place between the 16 best teams in the world. But the main challenge is about to come. Our spot at 2012 Olympic Games in London is our goal. The men’s national team missed three Olympic Games and they cannot stay out of one more. We always find some obstacles in front of us, but this is normal. But when you have competent professionals like we do, there is no obstacle we cannot overcome.


FIBA

[Roberto Azar]

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The Tao of the Jump Shot: Eastern Approach to Life and Basketball

( para Traducción al Espeñol= Ver el Mensaje Anterior )

"... The Tao of the Jump Shot by John Fitzsimmons Mahony takes us in this eBA 128 Basketball Statistics Registration Course on a journey through inner  and outer mastery of the jump shot. But it is much more than a book about Basketball. It   describes how to move with grace, prize every action, and experience the beauty of life  through the simple act of getting a ball through a hoop.

First Sentence:
"ANY PHYSICAL OR MENTAL ACTIVITY that's constructive and creative and aims for  perfection helps in our quest for the spiritual foundations of existence."

The book is a path to the sublime
Well thought-out and well written. The author merely designates the jump shot but it is   really an implicit comparison to a way of life.

With the aid of cohesive metaphors and illuminating paradoxes the book allows the western  mind to comprehend the art of "letting go". a concept which is not only difficult to learn, but also it is all too often misinterpreted as a form of inactivity.

The author explains to the participants of this eBA 128 Basketball Statistics Registration Course that the shooter should be absorbed in what he (she) is doing, and not how  he (she) is doing. The book serves to counterbalance our culture often relies solely on  rational thinking. 

This book on Taoism and Basketball  designated on the jump shot, is by far the   best at communicated to the western mind that inherent in everything is the natural  tendency to act harmoniously with the rest of the universe. John Fitzsimmons Mahony is one introspective and intelligent author that just happens to also coach   Basketball, and offers us a very different point of view about shooting training ! ..."


A paragraph of my exposition "Field Goals Statistical Registration"
edited today in  eBA ONLINE


 Prof. Roberto Azar  - eBA Stats Team - The Basketball Statistics Analysis

Go to: eBA-Stats.com  ~ eBA ONLINE Clinics  ~ eBA WIKI Encyclopedia  ~ eBA Store  ~ eBA Blog

[Roberto Azar]

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El Tao del Jump Shot: Un Enfoque Oriental de la Vida y el Baloncesto

( for English Translation= See the Next Message )

"... El Tao del Lanzamiento en Jump por John Fitzsimmons Mahony nos lleva en este Curso eBA 128 de Registro de las Estadísticas del Baloncesto al lector a un viaje a  través del manejo interior y exterior del lanzamiento en jump. Pero éste es mucho más  que un libro sobre baloncesto.
Describe como moverse elegantemente, detallando cada movimiento, y experimenta la  belleza de la vida a través del simple acto de lanzar el balón a través de un aro.

Primera Frase:
"CUALQUIER ACTIVIDAD FISICA O MENTAL que sea constructiva y creativa y tienda a la  perfección ayuda en nuestra búsqueda de los fundamentos espirituales de la   existencia."

El libro es un sendero a lo sublime
Bien ideado y bien escrito. El autor meramente apunta al lanzamiento en jump pero ésta es  una implícita comparación con una forma de vida.

Con la ayuda de metáforas cohesivas y paradojas iluminadas el libro permite  a la   mente occidental comprender el arte de "estar relajado", un concepto que no  sólo es difícil de aprender, sino que también es a menudo mal interpretado como una forma de inactividad.

El autor explica a los participantes de este Curso eBA 128 de Registro de las Estadísticas del Baloncesto que el lanzador debe estar concentrado en lo que el (ella) está haciendo, y no en cómo el (ella) lo está haciendo. El libro sirve   para contra-balancear nuestra cultura que a menudo se basa solamente en el       pensamiento racional.

Este libro sobre Taoísmo y baloncesto enfocado en el lanzamiento del jump, es seguramente el mejor comunicado a la mente occidental en lo inherente a la tendencia natural de actuar armoniosamente con el resto del universo. John Fitzsimmons Mahony    es un inteligente e introspectivo autor que justamente ocurre que también entrena   baloncesto, y nos ofrece un muy diferente punto de vista sobre el entrenamiento  del lanzamiento ! ..."


Párrafo de mi exposición "Registro Estadístico de los Lanzamientos de Campo"
editada hoy en eBA EN-LINEA


 Prof. Roberto Azar  - eBA Stats Team - Análisis de las Estadísticas del Baloncesto

Ir a: eBA-Stats.com  ~ Clínicas eBA EN-LINEA  ~ Enciclopedia WIKI eBA  ~ Tienda eBA  ~ Blog

[Sandra Mirsov]

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About Statistics & Methods: fraud ?

( para Traducción al Español= Ver a Continuación )

About Statistics & Methods: There is a general interpreted sensation that statistical knowledge is many times incorrectly used with intention, by finding ways to translate information from the observation that are favorably disposed to the presenter. A famous quote, included in our frontpage,  from former British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli is  "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics."

In truth , the well-known book How to Lie With Statistics by Darrell Huff identify many cases of deceptive uses of statistics, concentrating on graphs designed to deceive  either deliberately .

By choosing (or rejecting, or modifying) a certain sample, results can be manipulated; throwing out  bad data values or local anomalies is one means of doing so ( eliminating one or more low performance games of a certain player from his season balance, is a known example ). This may be the result of without restrictions fraud or of complex, balanced and unintentional bias on the part of the statistician. Do you know the case of that point guard that at home plays, with the locals guys at the computers, had 11.1 assists per game... meanwhile on the road he served only 3.2.....?

( from the exposition at eBA ONLINE: 'Statistics & Statisticians' )

Next Course eBA 122 - Basketball Game Statistics Registration opens: September 08, 2008, 21:00 GMT

 Sandra Mirsov - eBA Stats Team - The Basketball Statistics Analysis

Sobre Estadísticas & Métodos: fraude ?

Sobre Estadísticas & Métodos: Existe una percepción general de que el conocimiento estadístico es frecuentemente mal usado en forma intencional, al encontrar formas de interpretar los datos que son favorables al presentador. Una famosa máxima, incluida en nuestra página de inicio,  del Primer Ministro Británico en 1868 Benjamin Disraeli es: "Hay tres tipos de mentiras: las mentiras, las grandes mentiras y las estadísticas."

En verdad, el conocido libro Cómo Mentir con las Estadísticas   de Darrel Huff identifica muchos casos de uso decepcionante de las estadísticas, poniendo énfasis en los gráficos designados deliberadamente para confundir.

Al elegir (o rechazar o modificar) un cierto muestreo, los resultados pueden ser manipulados; desechando datos de bajo valor o anómalos es uno de los medios de hacer ello ( eliminar uno o más partidos de baja performance de un cierto jugador de su resumen anual, es un ejemplo conocido ).  Esto puede ser el resultado de un fraude sin restricciones o de una compleja, balanceada e inintencionada desviación por parte del estadígrafo. Conocen el caso de aquél base que en los partidos de local, con los muchachos de la casa en las computadoras, tenía 11.1 asistencias por partido.... mientras que de visitante solo servía 3.2....?

( de la  exposición en eBA EN-LINEA: 'Estadísticas & Estadígrafos')

Próximo Curso eBA 122 - Registro de las Estadísticas del Baloncesto se inicia: Septiembre 08, 2008, 21:00 UTC

 Traducción & Enlaces: ebastats - el foro de las estadísticas del baloncesto

[Roberto Azar]

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Seleccionar el Jugador MVP en un Torneo

(for English Translation= See Below )

Una pregunta nos fue hecha vía e-mail por nuestro amigo "Safa" sobre la forma de seleccionar el jugador MVP en un torneo, y he aquí la respuesta que le hemos enviado.
No existe un método exclusivo y único de seleccionar un jugador MVP en un torneo. Todo depende de los organizadores y a veces también de criterios económicos...
Generalmente las carreras hacia el MVP no son carreras de buena fe en los deportes profesionales.
Claramente lo que define al MVP es completamente subjetivo con opiniones tan diversas como las conclusiones estadísticas: analistas educados verterán argumentos sobre números y estadísticas.... ahora bien, se puede legítimamente designar un MVP sin mencionar su habilidad para jugar defensa?

Cada Liga tiene su sistema de elección del MVP:

Los equipos de MVP Awards Varsity eligen su MVP por medio del voto de los equipos.

El método de votación de la NBA para el TSF -The Starting Five - Primer Quinteto- es:
Tres (3) puntos son otorgados por cada voto de primer puesto en una determinada categoría.
Dos (2) puntos son otorgados por cada voto de segundo puesto en una determinada categoría.
Un (1) punto es otorgado por cada voto de tercer puesto en una determinada categoría.
A cada miembro del TSF - The Starting Five le fue requerido entregar sus tres elecciones topes en cada categoría: MVP, Jugador Defensor del Año, Sexto Hombre del Año, Jugador que más Adelantó, "Comeback (retorno de una celebridad a su nivel anterior)" de Año, Rookie -  jugador en su primer año en la NBA - del Año, y Entrenador del Año.

Los premios al Primer Quinteto de la Euroliga de la ULEB son otorgados a través de  una combinación y suma de votos de jugadores, entrenadores, periodistas y aficionados a través del sitio web de la ULEB.... esta ultima posibilidad como Usted preverá le da la posibilidad de "bombardear" la votación a favor de un jugador de su propio país....

Y no se olvide de que el Baloncesto es también Business... y para la ULEB seleccionar "a mano" a Papaloukas del CSKA (sin discutir de que se trata del mejor base en Europa actualmente) como el "sexto hombre" de un Quinteto Inicial en el reciente Final Four justamente jugado en Atenas, la ciudad de Papaloukas, fue un gran golpe publicitario....!

En mi opinión, el Quinteto del Torneo y la selección del MVP debe ser realizada por medio del voto de los jugadores de los equipos (con una influencia del 30% en la selección), entrenadores (influencia del 60%) y periodistas (influencia del 9%)... dando solo una del 1% para el voto de  los organizadores, y si Usted desea "motivar" a los aficionados, entonces Usted puede crear premios especiales como el "jugador más popular" o algo parecido....


 Prof. Roberto Azar - eBA Stats Team - El Análisis Creativo de las Estadísticas del Baloncesto

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Select MVP Player in a Tournament

A question was made to us via e-mail about the way to select MVP player in a tournament by our friend "Safa", and here is the answer we sent him.
There is no one exclusive way to select MVP player in  a tournament. It's all depends on the organizers and sometimes on economical issues...
Generally the MVP races are not a bona fide race in the professional sports.
Clearly what defines the MVP is fairly subjective with opinions as diverse as the statistical conclusions: educated analysts  pour arguments over numbers and stats.... so you can legitimately argue for a MVP case without mentioning his ability to play defense?

Each League and tournament have it's system to elect the MVP:

MVP Awards Varsity teams elect their MVP via team vote.

The NBA TSF -The Starting Five- Voting Methodology:
Three (3) points were awarded for every first place vote in a given category.
Two (2) points were awarded for every second place vote in a given category.
One (1) point was awarded for every third place vote in a given category.
Each member of The Starting Five was asked to submit their top three choices in each category: MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year, Most Improved Player, Comeback Player, Rookie of the Year, and Coach of the Year.

The ULEB Euroleague awards for the best Starting five is done throughout a combination and sum of votes of players, coaches, journalist and fans through the ULEB´s web site.... this last possibility as you can preview give you the possibility of bombing the voting in favour of the player from your country....

And don't forget that Basketball is Business too... and for ULEB to select manually Papaloukas from CSKA (without arguing that he is not the best point guard in Europe now) as the "sixth man" of the Starting "Five" in the recent Final Four just  in Athens, Papaloukas city,  was a great publicity blow....!

In my opinion, the Starting Five and the MVP selection must be done via team players (with an influence of 30% on the selection), coaches (influence of 60%) and journalists (influence of 9%)  votes... giving only a chance of 1% for the organizers, and if you want to "excite" the fans, therefore you can create special awards as "popular player" or something like this....


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