When you’re first taught the game of basketball you are usually taught by learning a handful of golden rules and essential team skills called, The Fundamentals. Jerry Sloan has taken that handful and has added to it a few variables and options but has essentially built an entire offense of out executing these beginner skills at a higher level then your opponent. Yes I have simplified it a bit, it is a very complicated offense that is filled with cuts, and picks that number in the hundreds every night, but it is all pretty close to it’s ancestral parent, the fundamentals.
I’m not going to run down a list of fundamentals now, but I do want to mention two that I feel would of made a difference last night in a close win (Clippers), and on Friday (Warriors) in a close lose.
-Follow your shot. This seems to be as extinct as canvas Chuck Taylor’s from the NBA. Every now and again you will see Lebron fire an 18 footer, miss it, and be right there with a monster dunk. The next thing you know the clip is on ESPN and some new sports news guy gives birth to a new catch phrase. This all stems from following your shot. As you follow through on either an outside jumper or a three pointer and expect to make it, the next thought should be after the ball leaves your hand, “I am going to get my own rebound.” We all learned this playing Jr. Jazz… I have to assume the Millionaires on the Jazz were taught this too. Follow your shot.
-Box out. Can someone please get the Dennis Rodman VHS highlight tape to ESA, stat! Love him or hate him, the man could box out and position himself as well as anyone that has EVER played in the league.
If you do get a chance to watch the tape you will see he got most of his rebounds at two times in the game: the first quarter, and the last.
The first because he would surprise guys right out of the gate with his physical play and toughness when most guys are just finding some rhythm. Rebounds don’t take rhythm. They take position, quickness, physicality, and a willingness to get busted up a bit (I know Millsap is a great rebounded, he has a lot of these qualities).
The final quarter, because guys have slowed down and are tired of being pushed around and beat up going after rebounds against a guy that never takes a possession off. He battled every single missed shot. So by the time the fourth rolled around, everyone else was sick of being abused down low. Thus Rodman’s game changing ability was born. Box out.
If you look at any good rebounded, they seem to follow these two rules pretty closely. I truly believe that any player has the ability to be a good rebounded. Not every player wants to do what it takes though.
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