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Today at practice the Fire did shooting and dribbling drills in socks as a way to create more variables. Alex Sarama says he read about the concept of “differential learning” in a paper 6 years ago and incorporated it into his CLA principles.
#WThoughts - Major takeaway,
Can you create an efficient offense without giving away your defensive spine?
That’s the separator. The league is getting more skilled, more spaced, and more guard-driven, but in the #WNBA, physicality still cashes checks. 🧾🏀
I'm excited about @DallasWings
Dallas is a must-watch, but I would not call them trustworthy yet.
They need a hierarchy late in games.
Who creates? Who spaces? Who screens? Who decides? Until that is answered, they are a dangerous team, not yet a serious team.
#WThoughts
Exciting start for @theportlandfire
Not just happy to be here.
They are going to steal games with pressure. But against elite frontcourts, they need help.
They can't survive a season losing the glass & hoping turnovers erase it every night.
That math gets mean.
#WThoughts
#WThoughts - Atlanta’s formula is sustainable:
Gray = downhill shot-maker / two-way guard.
Canada = pace, pressure, point-of-attack disruption.
Rhyne Howard = gravity even when the shot is not falling.
Angel Reese = possession multiplier.
Naz Hillmon = connectivity
#WNBA
#WThoughts - Ultimately, the league is becoming more about who can force two defenders onto the ball and make elite decisions while playing 4 on 3 on the backside than who has the prettiest continuity package.
#WNBA
Burton is operating like a table-setter:
Gets the ball over half with pace.
Organizes early offense.
Defends the point of attack.
Keeps the turnover floor low.
Allows the wings/bigs to play in rhythm.
#WNBA
#WThoughts - Veronica Burton is becoming one of the best stories in the league. She had 16 points & 6 assists in the opener, then 13 points, 12 assists, & zero turnovers in a win over Phx
Atlanta & GS look the most organized
Dallas has the highest entertainment profile
NY has the most interesting short-term problem; injuries are forcing discovery
Portland has an identity
Indiana’s offense is real, but the opener exposed some defensive questions
#WThoughts
The #WNBA first week has been messy in the right way: expansion volatility, star injuries, new usage trees, more guard-driven pace, and teams still figuring out whether they are built to play NBA-style spread advantage basketball or more traditional W execution ball.
#WThoughts
Welcome to the Wichita State family, associate head coach Melanie Balcomb! 🌾
"She brings championship experience, a Final Four pedigree, and a track record of developing elite players at the highest level." - Head Coach Terry Nooner
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UCLA WBB's Cori Close pod w/ Athletic
In the summer, had Zoom calls w/ parents, on how important it’d be to have the same message
Eliminate distractions, be present focused. Don't talk about draft. Celebrate each others’ kids. If they had a complaint, come to her, not their kid
Taking the April Eval period with an experienced grain of salt, but I’m going to encourage these clubs to develop some sort of system for which players can start displaying better decision making. TEAMS develop a common language and some operational standards - and it helps everyone be better. They need the accountability and foundation. Teach them! And players - don’t run away from the coaches who challenge you in this way, please.
But - this I’ll stand on: the free-for-all is not benefitting anyone. And “pressing” does not qualify as a system.
@rickrosenberg I don’t think so. The coach is finding a fit for their program. For the team to be successful. The player has to be happy in that role, system, playing style. That’s not for a school to assume.
The #transferportal is exposing a hard truth: a lot of recruits simply don't watch basketball. They ignore team styles & coaching play styles & just assume their individual bag translates seamlessly to any system. Fit matters more than you think. 🏀📉 #TransferPortal#Ncaaw
Great if you are a fantastic 1 on 1 player. Can you run a play, can you execute a scheme, do you know what your other 4 teammates are supposed to be doing? Do you have the ability to make your other teammates better? Do you get good grades? Make good choices? College coaches will invest in the full package more times than not compared to a high scorer, high volume shooter.