FANs –KNOW YOUR BASKETBALL
The chief objective of basketball is the same now as it was in 1891, when Dr. James A. Naismith, a Canadian minister who was attending the International Y.M.C.A. Training School (now Springfield College), invented the game. Dr. Naismith wrote in his description of the game:
“The purpose of the game is to put the ball into your opponents’ goal.” (Most coaches would add: “More often than the opponents!”)
To the average person, basketball seems to be an ex¬tremely easy game to play—a simple matter of “running and shooting.” However, the complicated individual and team maneuvers which are performed with such lightning speed and finesse in modern basketball are far from simple. Behind the action lies years of individual and team practice, whether the fan is watching a high school, college or pro¬fessional game.
The “one-on-one” is the best play in basketball and is responsible for many important baskets. The one-on-one occurs when the teammates of an expert player give him the ball and angle or cut away from him so that he will have an open area or one side of the court all to himself in which to use his fakes, maneuvers, drives and shots, to score upon the opponent who is guarding him.
The ease with which great players can score (almost at will) when opposed by just one man is almost unbelievable. Yet, the importance of team play is obvious when a “look at the record” reveals that few “one-man” teams have won championships.
George Mikan, the protege of Ray Meyer, De Paul University coach, and acclaimed the outstanding player in the first half of the century, entered the professional ranks following his college career and sparked the Minneapolis Lakers to the top of the professional basketball world. But it wasn’t all Mikan. He was aided by three All-America Collegians—powerful Vern Mikkelsen of Hamline; high-scoring Jim Pollard of Stanford; Slater Martin, the diminutive backcourt star of Coach Jack Gray’s Texas Longhorns —and the coaching leadership of John Kundla.
Wilt Chamberlain, former Kansas University star, broke just about every basketball record (9) in the book with Eddie Gottlieb’s Philadelphia Warriors during the 1961-1962 NBA season. Chamberlain averaged 50.4 points per game and amassed a season total of 4,029 points. In addi¬tion, he secured the most rebounds (2052). Paul Arizin, Villanova’s former All-America contribution to the War¬riors, averaged 21.9 points per game and scored a total of 1706 points for the season. These two great players were aided by three outstanding teammates—Guy Rodgers, Tom Gola and Tom Meschery—but they still couldn’t win the championship.
There are many great stars in high school, college and professional basketball and not infrequently there will be two and even three outstanding players on the same team. When they do not win the championship, fans wonder why. — Well, it takes more than two, or three ,or four, or even five outstanding players to make a team. It takes a group of players (stars included) who believe in training, in team play, and in their coach. But that isn’t all of it. The coach must understand basketball, know how to coach the game, be a student of tactics and strategy, and equip the players with a sound offense and a strong defense. This man, the coach, must also believe in true sportsmanship, be able to inspire his players, and be dedicated to his job.
That still isn’t enough! The players on the floor must be supported by teammates who are on their toes on the bench and who believe in them and in their cause and back them to the limit. Then, you have the kind of combination which is needed to win the big games and the championships!
HOW TO WATCH THE GAME
THE FREEZE. When a team is in the lead near the end of a hotly contested game you may expect the freeze. The team in possession of the ball will try to “play out the clock” by continuous passing and cutting. And, if the defensive players cannot intercept the ball or force a bad pass, they may become purposefully aggressive in their defensive play and foul an opponent (poorest shooter) so they will have the opportunity to secure possession of .the ball following the free-throw attempt.
EVALUATING THE STAR – We haven’t paid much attention to individual play so far and that’s good. Basketball is a team sport! However, outstanding players will always attract attention and an opinion will form in the spectator’s mind whether or not the spectator deliberately sets out to evalu¬ate them.
Let’s select a player and pose a few pertinent questions. First, is he an all-around player? One who tries’ as hard on defense as on the offensive? Oh is he half a player; desperate for glory and the acclaim which accompanies scoring—and merely going through the motions when it comes to defensive play? Can he play without the ball (blend in with his teammates by screening and cutting when his team is in possession of the ball)? When on the defense, does the star work at it? Does he talk and point out his opponent and hustle for all he is worth? If he takes it easy on the defense, there may be an excuse.
1st , he may be carrying a number of personal fouls and his value to the team as a scorer, feeder or playmaker may be so great that the coach has specifically instructed him not to take any chance of fouling out of the game.
2nd , he may be handicapped by an injury. Either rea¬son may be sufficient to excuse his lack of defensive hustle. If it is late in a hard fought game where the player’s scoring touch is needed, the coach may be wise to keep him in the game. However, these excuses won’t stand up as a regular diet.
Well, you’re really coming along in knowing your basket¬ball. Now, it’s up to you to decide whether you should concentrate on the parts of this little book which are devoted to the player and the coach.
