A Commitment to Team Defense

Some quotes from the Boston Celtics camp on their goals and thoughts about being the best defensive team in the league. Comments came after Boston held Charlotte to 59 points in a 31 point victory. Here is an excerpt from espn.com:

"I think night in and night out, we want to come in and defend more than anything," said Perkins. "Obviously, you've got to put points up to win the game, but I just think we want to defend."

But coach Doc Rivers identified something special in this year's team and challenged his charges to be remembered like the 1985 Bears: one of the greatest defenses of all time.

"Doc brought it to our attention in the preseason," said Perkins. "We just kind of built from there. Doc asked if we wanted to be the best defensive team in history, like the '85 Bears. I think we've bought into it. We're playing intimate team defense and we just need to continue to do that."

"It's one thing to talk about it and another thing to actually do it," said Williams. "We're striving to [be the best defense], but we've got work to do. That's the mindset we have to have day in and day out. We're stressing defense every single play, ever single minute."

Which is why the Celtics enjoyed every moment of Wednesday's defensive-dominated victory. Asked what he prefers, shutting the opposition down or shining on the offensive end, Garnett didn't hesitate.

"Shutting people down," he said. "Because we work so hard in practice, man. Y'all have no idea what our drills are like.

"You know the majority of our practices are schemes. How we're going to defend, consistencies, schemes night-in and night-out for different people on different types of teams. But we work at it every single day.

"Every day, it's the same thing, same repetitive stuff, if not more. You know, when you shut a team down, that's hard work and effort."

"When you feel like you're forcing turnovers, it's just like it gets contagious and guys were everywhere," said Pierce. "It's great to watch."

One goal

Quote from Kevin Garnett after the Celtics beat the Cavs last night in Cleveland. KG was asked how the Celtics gelled together so well two years ago when they won the championship and how Cleveland can get there:

"The secret is that we came in with no egos, no agendas. One goal and we stuck to that. There wasn't something for your guys' morning papers, there wasn't something for headline news. That was what we was living. I think that's been the onus since we've been here. You've got to leave the ego at the door. Whatever swagger you've got, you bring it in here and you make sure it ain't cockiness. You do your job, you get the shooters open, you play defense, you talk, you give yourself up to get better as a team. ... That's the reason we work. I don't know what they have over here in Cleveland and what their beliefs are and what their studies are. But that's the formula for the Boston Celtics and why we were so successful our first year.''

Competitiveness

Story on the 2005 Duke team led by J.J. Redick:

Before a pickup-game session in early October senior Lee Melchionni approached Redick with an idea: "Let's play freshmen against seniors and show them what it's all about." All Duke pickup games go to seven--no need to win by two--and the rookies started off by matching the seniors basket for basket. With the score 6--6, Boykin tipped in Boateng's miss for the upset--and a chorus of primal screams echoed through the gym. "The freshmen were celebrating like they'd won the national championship, hugging, high-fiving, all that stuff," says Williams. "We got kind of mad about that."

For the next five games the seniors abused the freshmen, piling up win after win, not one of them close. When Boykin started laughing with Melchionni after the seniors had finished off the freshmen, the fiery Redick turned and delivered a stone-faced rebuke: "Jamal, if I'd just lost five games in a row, I wouldn't be making jokes about it."

Sharing the Ball

Milwaukee Bucks coach Scott Skiles has put an emphasis on ball movement during training camp:

"We put a lot of emphasis on moving the ball," Skiles said. "If you get into a playoff series against a really good ballclub, and in the regular season as well, you've got to move the ball, strong to weak. The guys right now are good at it. They're really playing unselfishly, looking for the open man and hitting the open man."

Carlos Delfino, who was accquired by the Bucks during the offseason, has always been known as a great passer:

"When you share the ball and you're pushing the ball without dribbling, it creates a great up-tempo game. We have many guys who can do that, and for me, it's great basketball.

We understand sharing the ball makes the team grow. As long as we continue to understand that, we have a chance to be a very good passing team. "

"Push the ball, not dribble. It's nice to watch. It's faster and everybody is involved on the plays. When you catch or make a good pass, it creates a good atmosphere. You're talking about creating shots for everyone."

Rebounding and more from Bill Russell

*To succeed you can't play any other way than with passion. We enjoy the game more because of what we put into it.

*I didn't have to rely on extraordinary inner resources, flashes of inspiration, to tell me to get my body where it had to go. My objective was clear. I wanted to make sure of the rebound.

*The guy who insists on going up as high as he can every time is reacting -and losing- rather than taking a specific positive action necessary to accomplish what he wants. Most of my rebounds came from positioning, where I was able to get the ball while in heavy traffic.

*To me, knowing how to act is everything. You cannot just throw yourself at at problem and expect to succeed. You cannot win the NBA championship on the first day of the season. It has to be won at every practice, every meeting, each and every game on the schedule. During the season, you learn to master all the important skills needed to get you to the championship game.

Paying the Price

Pictured above is a hill that 49ers head coach Mike Singletary had installed this summer at their training facility. What had been a gentle slope is now padded with 2,500 tons of dirt. It takes a run of about 45 feet to get to the top.

Coach Singletary calls his creation, "Pain"

Singletary said that athletes who trained that way “were a cut above some of the other competition around the league and had a long playing career.”

“It’s something you can’t get in the weight room. Something you can’t really get on the track,’’ he said. “It builds something that’s kind of a mystery.”

"We set the bar high, and these guys worked their tails off,” Singletary said. “You do that, and something develops inside a team. You can’t buy it. You can’t talk through it. You have to do it. We paid the price.”

Your habits make it happen

"The things that you do when you're practicing, you don't know how it's going to benefit you," Reynolds says. "But if you create those habits all the time, then when it's time to make the play or make the shot, your habits are going to make it happen."

-Scottie Reynolds, Villanova guard

Taking his defense to the next level

Brandon Roy has received a challenge that he likes from his head coach Nate McMillan, to be 1st team All-NBA:

"You should make a goal to defend on a high level every night," Roy said McMillan told him. "Not only would it take us as a team to the next level, but it would take me to that next level as a player that I want to be at. This is just the next natural progression in my game. A lot of people may say I got my contract because of scoring. But I think I got my contract because I am all-around, I'm versatile, and I'm always looking for ways to improve my game."

Said coach Nate McMillan:

"All the good players who win big -- All-Stars who are not only All-Stars, but who win at a high level -- they all do that. We know that this was what he needed to do. He can do it. And he knows he can do it."

Pop Quote

"If there is no humor, there is no ability to take criticism or handle embarrassment. We really are big believers in getting over yourself. If you're taking away from the group, you don't need to be here. It's that simple."

-Gregg Popovich

Calm in the face of a storm

Teammates and coaches have raved recently about the composure and poise that Carson Palmer has shown while the Bengals have won 3 straight comeback games with Palmer leading the game winning drive on all three occasions. Palmer is showing his teammates the face they need to see in adverse situations.

Said coach Marvin Lewis two weeks ago after a big home win against Pittsburgh:

"We've got a quarterback who's comfortable at those points in the game. He's got a calm about him."

Here is what WR Chad Ocho Cinco had to say after a comeback last week against Cleveland:

"The whole thing keeping me going is No. 9. He's so confident in the huddle. The way he has been the last two weeks is unbelievable. Especially the situations we've been in.

After the comeback win today over Baltimore, Ocho Cinco said the same thing:

"That was Carson in the huddle, being very confident, being very sound, keeping everybody calm. When he talks the way he does in that huddle, with that confidence and that swagger like that, there's no doubt that we're going to go down and score."

2009-10 GM Survey Results: Defense

Click on this link for a survey on who are the best individual & team defenders in the league. There is a common theme among the players listed: they are all leaders on their teams:

Manning and Preparation

Good article in the USA Today on Peyton Manning & they way he prepares his young receivers to be great:

Former Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy gives a glimpse of Peyton Manning's singular drive — in this case, those three-hour drives that distinguish the three-time league MVP.

The Football Night in America analyst revealed the regular three-hour commute Manning made from Indianapolis to Columbus, Ohio through May and June 2007 to get then-rookie receiver Anthony Gonzalez oriented to the Colts offense.

Manning's commitment to integrating Gonzalez, then an Ohio State student restricted by NCAA rules from joining the Colts for spring workouts, is reflected anew in his mentoring of rookie receiver Austin Collie, running back Donald Brown and second-year wideout Pierre Garcon.

Many expected the 4-0 Colts to take a step back without Dungy and veteran receiver Marvin Harrison and with Gonzalez sidelined by a sprained knee since Week 1.

"Peyton has tons of ability, but really his preparation is why Peyton's great," Dungy said. "I remember Anthony Gonzalez's rookie year, he couldn't come over to practice with us until June.

"Peyton drove over twice a week to Columbus to throw with Anthony. That's the type of preparation people can't really appreciate, the extra time he spends bringing those young guys along as quick as he has."

When the Colts won Super Bowl XLI, Manning broke down every regular-season and playoff game of the Chicago Bears' defense and had backup Jim Sorgi analyze their four preseason games.

"He digested 22 games in two weeks to get ready for one game," Dungy said of the Super Bowl MVP.

Manning's coaching of Collie resulted in a diving, 21-yard touchdown off an audible in Sunday's 34-17 rout of Seattle.

"(Colts coach) Jim Caldwell told me Peyton would go out and work on one or two concepts with his young receivers every day," SIRIUS NFL Radio analyst Rich Gannon said. "He'd talk to Garcon, Collie and Brown about all the different adjustments that come off of that route based on coverage, down and distance, corner technique.

"He makes everyone around him better."

Manning, 33, leads the league with a 114.5 passer rating, 1,336 yards, has nine touchdowns and has thrown for 300 or more yards in his first four games for the first time.

"Throw in the lack of a consistent running game, Peyton's been absolutely magnificent," ESPN Monday Night Football analyst Ron Jaworski said.

Said Dungy: "I appreciate what he's doing even more now because in 2004 he threw 49 touchdowns with Marvin, Reggie Wayne, Brandon Stokely, Dallas Clark, familiar weapons," Dungy said.

"He's hotter and doing it with Collie, Pierre Garcon and Donald Brown. He makes it look ho hum.

"But he's never satisfied."

Kevin Eastman Newsletter

As I study successful teams, I see one common characteristic very clearly. Every one of these teams has a person or people who hold themselves personally accountable. These are the special people who only need a coach to teach them what and how to do something; then they take that and run with it. They understand that a major part of their job is to be self sufficient and personally accountable for their improvement and productivity. As I look around the NBA at these special players, I see some other distinct traits, all related to this personal accountability. These players:

• don't blame others first; instead, they look first for what they contributed (or did not contribute) to the situation

• don't complain; instead, they look for ways to correct things that aren't working

• don't procrastinate; instead, get things done now

• always give more than they ask of others

• always look to take on as much as they can handle, rather than look to pass things on to others all the time

• are constantly trying to improve their game so they can bring more to the team and consistently fulfill their role

• are self starters and study the game (and themselves) enough to know what needs to be done; then go about doing it

• do the unrequired work, knowing that it simply needs to get done -- extra shots, extra weight training, extra film watching, etc. – without constantly needing a coach to tell them to work

• hold others accountable for their jobs and roles because they know the importance of accountability as it relates to winning; this creates a collective responsibility

• always be among of the most trusted players on the team, by coaches and players

Taking the next step

Article from espn.com on Portland wanting to take their team to the next level. Here is an excerpt on their mindset defensively:

Regardless, Portland will have to take another step forward from a year ago to challenge the likes of L.A. And to do that, it's counting on improving the defense -- again, a goal about which Pritchard, McMillan and the key players seemed to be in lockstep agreement.

"For most teams, when they took that next step, when they won consistently and they won big, those stars that team had committed to the defensive end of the floor," McMillan said. "It seems to me every team that wins the title, they end up talking about how they committed to the defensive end."

"Two years ago when Boston won it, some key guys who weren't really known for playing defense, that's all they talked about, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce. Kobe talked about it this past year. You're going to need offense, but those teams that seem to commit to the defensive end of the floor, they've taken steps to put themselves in a position to win [a title]."

He's walking the walk on that front, too. McMillan devoted the entirety of Portland's first practice on Tuesday to defense.

Mbah a Moute drinks in the work on road to improvement

From the Milwaukee Journal

St. Francis — During a water break at a recent Milwaukee Bucks practice at the team's training center, forward Luc Richard Mbah a Moute positioned himself alone at a basket and hoisted a number of jump shots while the other players quenched their thirst.

It's also not uncommon to see the second-year player stay after practice and put up even more jumpers with assistant coaches.
Improving his mid-range jump shot has been high on Mbah a Moute's list since the end of last season and it's something he took seriously over the summer and in training camp.

"He's put in hours and hours on it," said Bucks assistant coach Bill Peterson, who worked regularly with Mbah a Moute over the summer. "And good, quality time. Not just messing around. I think we'll see progress. Will he be where we want him to be? Not quite yet. He's only a second-year player. He's really focused on it. He wants to get better."

Said coach Scott Skiles: "He's worked on his shot tirelessly."

Last season as a rookie, Mbah a Moute averaged 7.2 points on 46.2% shooting and he and departed forward Richard Jefferson were the only two Bucks to play in all 82 games. Mbah a Moute's 491 field goals attempted were the fewest among the players in the regular rotation. Mbah a Moute, though, didn't take long to establish himself as the team's top defender.

In an effort to avoid a drop-off in his second season, Mbah a Moute has worked in the weight room to get his legs and upper body stronger. He wants to improve at taking contact and finishing around the rim and develop his low-post game.

But sharpening his jump shot was as important as anything, and Mbah a Moute thinks he's made progress.

"I got better," he said. "My shot got more consistent. I worked a little bit on my defense. I was also trying to develop a post game a little more and be more aggressive there."

Asked what he's hoping to bring to the table this season, he said, "The same thing I brought last year. Come in and play hard and defend every night. Compete and give my best for the team. Be unselfish on the offensive end and try to make plays for the team. That's all."

For the most part, the Bucks have had Mbah a Moute working on the mechanics of his shot, getting him to follow through more consistently, keep a wider base, as he tends to keep his feet together when he shoots, and use his legs to get into his shot.

"When you get a wide base, you have balance," said Peterson. "When you have a wide base and push you have more force when you shoot the ball. He's pretty good when he steps in to shoot. Where he gets in trouble is when he is just standing. His feet tend to get inside his shoulders and he's got no lift and he ends up hitting the rim. Or he's short, something like that.

"Here's a young man who has put in a lot of time. He's not a natural-born stroke guy like Carlos Delfino or Mike Redd. He's put a lot of time in and he's gotten better and better and will continue to get better. It's a work in progress."

Working with Peterson and assistant coach Adrian Griffin over the summer, Mbah a Moute would shoot until he made 2,000 shots a week, doing so for five or six weeks. Some of those shots were even from the three-point line as the coaches tried to extend his range.

"From where he was last year at this time to now, he's way, way better," said Peterson. "He can do it. He just has to keep doing it; repetition, repetition, repetition."

Leadership 101- Bo Pelini

Good notes from Bo Pelini on leadership:

Building a Culture:
*#1 Job is coaching your coaches/leaders
*What do you what to be know for?
*You get what you ask for and demand
*Surround yourself with the "right" people
*Committed to the little things (NO gray areas)
*Base principles & accountability
*Win with people- "Coach'em up"
*Leaders don't point the fingers- they point the thumb back at themselves
*Don't leave things open to interpretation
*Give feedback (Honest-Fair-Critical)
*You are who you are in ALL things (Classroom-Practice-Games)

*Coach Pelini spoke extensively about Jerry Rice. He worked with the 49ers early in his coaching career and was simply amazed with Rice's "everyday perfection". He said that he was the absolute best football player he has ever seen. He did everything with perfection on the forefront of his mind. His preparation (in-season & off-season), TEAM relationships, coachability, family, and even in the locker room and training room was done to perfection. Jerry set the bar for the 49ers- who's setting the bar in your organization?

Brandon Roy Workout

Adversity

Bears assistant coach and former Detroit Lions coach Rod Marinelli had a rough go at it last season but maintained the respect of his players through his work ethic and attitude. Here is what he says about adversity:

"You become more creative, you become more determined and you embrace that," he said. "You embrace that. Adversity is something special. It really is, if you embrace it. If you run from it, it'll wear you out. But if you embrace it, try to find a way to get better - that's what I tried to do."

Scores and Stops

"There's not a team in the league that can't score the basketball," Wallace said. "But the good teams are the ones that can do both -- score and get stops. Some nights you really can't control whether that ball goes in the basket or not. You can get the best look, get the best shot, but sometimes it just don't go.

"You can always control your defensive energy. You can get up and pressure guys and make their job tough."

Working Out: Chris Paul