“Foul” Flops Flaw Game & Character

05/29/07

My Two Cents

By Gary Knox

They say basketball prepares you for life.The skills you learn on the floor, such as
honor, commitment, respect, sportsmanship discipline and practice BUILD character.

I’ve been watching the NBA Conference Finals. The game is full of  “flop” artists,  players who’ve
mastered the art of  hardwood trickery. They insult the fans, by resorting to flopping to get
favorable calls from the referee. If you have to fake or exaggerate contact with another player to steal a trip to the line or regain possession, YOU’RE THE FLOP!

In all my years of covering girls high school basketball, I can say the game remains pure,
free of floppers .Players respect themselves and their opponents enough to play the game the way it was intended, with solid defense and offense. The professional players could learn from the girls’ game. Floppers don’t waste the ref’s time, play your opponent straight up NOT horizontal.

That’s my two cents.

MORE TWO CENTS

5-16-07

My Two Cents

By Gary Knox

THE JUMP HOOK

One of the most effective and devastating offensive weapon has vanished
from the paint.
 
The Jump Hook is an unstoppable low post scoring weapon. It doesn't matter if you are a point guard or a post player.

Back in the day, basketball players used it routinely to score over bigger opponents and to get 3-point plays.

The Jump Hook works as a power move or as a finesse move. If you get a pass or loose ball around the basket, defenders are at your mercy.

Most of the time you don’t even have to look at the basket. Just pivot. Get that non-shooting shoulder in position (towards the defender in the paint), jump and let it fly high off the glass. You can even use the Jump Hook as a "runner" or a"tear-drop".

Miami Heat Superstar Dwayne Wade brought back the mid-range bank shot.

Ladies, I challenge you to jumpstart the Jump Hook. Cretin-Derham Hall’s Alyssa Karel used the Jump Hook quite effectively throughout her high school career. She also used the Jump Hook-Runner (non-shooting shoulder is square to the basket).

The Jump Hook can add 6 to 7points to your scoring average. It’s a simple yet effective weapon that EVERY basketball player should have in her arsenal.
With this low post move, you’ll keep defenders guessing and put them in foul trouble.

So, get your dad, grandfather or better yet grandmother… to introduce you to this lost art.

But, don’t confuse the Jump Hook with the Sky-Hook. Leave that shot for the 7-footers.

That’s my two cents.

Continue this discussion in Cyber Court.

MORE TWO CENTS

COURT DEMEANOR

5-6-07

My Two Cents

By Gary Knox

Court demeanor is an important part of your game.  29 years ago, during my high school years, I wondered why the best basketball players didn’t belong to any team.Basketball is more than shooting the ball through the hoop and putting up points.
 
Court demeanor is critical to the game. There must be honor on the hardwood. You see scouting reports that say…“very athletic, great defender, superior ball handling skills, All-City player,  BUT COURT ATTITUDE IS SUSPECT!” You don't want that in your report!

Sometimes a good player with good court demeanor will make a team over a great player with bad court demeanor. Coaches on every level want “coach able” players, with good attitudes. A great player can get overlooked because of court character flaws. You don’t want to be a great basketball player with NO team because of poor court demeanor. You can be passionate, compete, but still maintain good sportsmanship.

Strike a balance in your game. Compete with character. Practice fair play. Score the respect of your opponents, teammates, family, coaches and scouts with good court demeanor.

That’s my two cents.

MORE TWO CENTS

2007 Minnesota AAU Invitational

4/29/07

By Gary Knox

It’s an annual rite of spring for ball players. I’m talking about AAU basketball.   

On Sunday, I attended the 2007 Minnesota AAU Basketball Invitational at Robbinsdale Cooper Senior High School.

The talent and competition were great. But, I couldn’t help but notice the folks camped out in the stands, mothers, dads cradling babies, sisters, brothers, grandparents, great grandparents, neighbors and friends. Generations, many three deep, watched and cheered. Their eyes were drawn to the paint. They had traveled many miles, some as

far away as Winona, Becker, Hancock and Fulda, to support a loved one. And, it became increasingly clear their emotional investments in their children, were larger than any championship title, tournament trophy or individual points scored.

I then turned my back to the action on the floor and aimed my camera into the stands to capture a much bigger story unfolding, the “love of the game”. I listened with a trained ear and the wisdom poured out. Here’s what one proud father said. “We come for the love of the game. We watch the kids compete. They learn discipline. They learn hard work. They learn how to compete in life. They got good teamwork. They have good friends for life. It’s fun to watch them grow. That’s what good competitive sports is all about. You learn about life, life’s lessons.”

Al Garcia is a father of two. His daughters play for North Tartan and the Metro Stars.While Garcia’s story is great, it was far from unique. The same sentiment bounced from one riser to the next.

I love this game!
   
That’s My Two Cents