Basketball does not build character it reveals it
by PanamaSun on Mar 5, 2010 2:40 PM MST
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PrintEd Note: This was originally published two years ago but it is worth re-visiting..
Basketball does not build character…it reveals it.
Whoever said that it’s right on target. I’ve seen and played enough basketball in my life to know it’s true. This game really shows you who you REALLY are, which is great, but sometimes there are things that are better left unknown.
Allow me to elaborate on that.
This game has always been about individuality, and to be honest with you…that’s what attracted me. My dad used to play soccer; he always wanted me to play. It’s the number one sport in Europe and Latin countries, and I don’t see that changing any time soon. People grow up idolizing Maradona and Pelé, they are Gods to them (there’s a Maradona church in Argentina). My initial thought on playing soccer was: 11 players on the field and 11 in the bench…Are you friking kidding me?? , I’m never going to stand out! I pretty much sucked, kicked the ball like a Grandma on weed, so there’s no way I’m going to play that, I want to play something where people really appreciate my skills and have less competition.
And so it happened, fell in love with the game…or maybe it wasn’t the game, maybe it was how the game made me feel. The playground was like a constant therapy, if I was feeling insecure or self conscious about something, what better way to get your confidence a boost than watching a bunch of kids say ohhhhh, ahhhhh, wowww!!, every time you do a crossover or make a great move or shot.
My perception of the game changed when I met the right people at the right time: Coaches, players from other countries, scouts, fans. It’s a growing process. There were times that I couldn’t help just to smile when I saw my stats on the newspaper, even when the title of the article read "Panama loses to Brazil by 15 points". I used to think if having that kind of thoughts made a bad person, how come when coach nailed me to the bench when I didn’t pass the ball on a 3 on 1 fast break, I was thinking to myself "I hope we lose". But after learning how the game is really played, I realized that I was just immature and it’s hard to change, especially when you watch TV and watch the player’s highlights. It’s Human
And that leads me to Amaré. I can understand why he is the way he is. He was poor, coming from a troubled family, grew up without guidance and was drafted out of high school. The NBA is his playground, only bigger. He wants to be seen, heard and understood. He wants to fit in. He wants to show everyone his talent and show that he is way better than others.
Some people never grow up, as I said, it’s a combination of circumstances and people around you. I want to believe that he is the future of the Suns; I want to believe that he will learn the other aspect of the game that he has completely neglected, I want to believe that he will learn not to bash on his coach, shut his mouth and play hard, and stealing a line from my friend Mike Lisboa… I want to believe that some day he will truly LEAD. THIS. TEAM.
Thanks for reading.
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Adaptation
He’s been adapting, albeit sometimes slowly, throughout his career. He’s improved his jumper. His help defense is good. I’ve seen him boxing out recently. His one-on-one defense is no longer atrocious. His switch on Finley’s three was a mistake but I really don’t see him making a boner move like that again.
I think his character shows he has the ability to adapt. He is also driven to adapt. He can pout sometimes, but it’s a bit of frustration when he is trying to get better and he does not see reciprocal effort.
Given his family situation, I’m amazed at what he has done.
I only see him getting better from season to season. I think that speaks to his character.
He’s not where we want him to be, and maybe he won’t get there or he won’t have enough time to get there. His beginnings in the league to where he is now, though, does, in fact, mirror the manner in which he made his situation better through his own self-determination.
Again, he may never get where we want him to get, but think about how many players from his situation never get anywhere close to where he is now.
Mmmmm ... Guinness
Amare is still not close to being there...
There’s a principle in Economics (and Zonaflash, please correct me if I’m wrong) that basically says, if you reward behavior, you’ll get the behavior you reward.
Amare, like so many young players, has been seduced by the allure of money, fame and recognition that comes from making the nightly highlight reel. The reason is partly cultural, in the sense that the strongest influence on the modern game comes from the same street ball that infused the ABA and now informs the And-1 tour. But it’s also encouraged by the owners, who see that kind of sports entertainment as being a big money maker (Vince Carter ??), and ESPN who pander to an unsophisticated audience by inflating near-mundane feats of athleticism into 10 second highlights.
It’s why Pete Maravich is considered to be one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history, despite defensive play that makes Steve Nash look like Bill Russell in comparison.
But it’s also the reason Dennis Rodman, is imho along with Nash, the closest thing we’ve had to a true basketball revolutionary in the last 30 years. A man who focused on contributing to championships by doing all the little things that need to done to win those, and who made the mistake of originally thinking that his game would be enough for him to be rewarded. And he had to go off the deep end and become a caricature to get his just and deserved financial reward.
I guess what I’m trying to say is that there’s no financial incentive for Amare to improve on defense, and become a more complete player, the only motives for doing those things being his own desire to improve and win championships. It’s clear he doesn’t have the same pathological “hate to lose” attitude that the great players such as Russell, Jordan and Bird all had.
Once again, my unsolicited advice to Amare would be to get Karl Malone’s phone number, and Dennis Rodman’s phone number, and spend the summer woodshedding, put on 15 lbs of upper body muscle and learn to play smarter. A call to Charles Oakley wouldn’t be a bad idea, either.
"True glory consists of doing what deserves to be written, and writing what deserves to be read".
by Pliny the Elder on Apr 29, 2008 12:14 PM MDT up reply actions
Dennis Rodman
Your comments on Rodman make a ton of sense.
However, if you are saying the same forces that twisted Rodman and is the incentive system that is ruining Stoudemire, you are discounting the notion that personal convictions can overcome external impetus.
Has Nash not gone bonkers (ala Rodman) because he got some recognition or because he has greater internal fortitude? Maybe some of both, but I’m willing to wager my house the scale tips much more in the favor of the latter.
I don’t think Amare will ever have Jordan’s pathology, but I do seem him growing closer to that over the last few years. At least he’s talking the talk—which is more than quite a few players are even willing to do.
Mmmmm ... Guinness
Rodman..
Rodman’s thing, at least in San Antonio and the first couple of season in Chicago, was partially an act, to attract attention to himself in order to get paid. At least, that’s what he said in his biography. Personally, I think he was eventually seduced by the dark side of the force, but there’s still good there.
Nash, and other players, have no need for such stunts because their games are profoundly offense oriented, and therefore naturally attract attention. If anything, Nash has not capitalized on his fame, nor maximized his earnings. Also, he’s British/Canadian, so psychologically he’s a much more low-key person to begin with.
But it’s an interesting point you bring up, because it’s my belief that in order to become great Nash has had to learn over time to become less patient, more selfish and assertive and downright less deferential and respectful to other NBA players and coaches, although he clearly always had the “hate to lose” pathology.
If you look at Bird. MJ and Russ, they were all more than capable of being true assholes from time to time, and I think you need that to win titles, Tim Duncan notwithstanding.
"True glory consists of doing what deserves to be written, and writing what deserves to be read".
by Pliny the Elder on Apr 29, 2008 1:21 PM MDT up reply actions
Dark Side
So, with Nash, he has a different make-up or he has a different make-up because of his environment?
It looks like you keep going back to simply environment.
I guess it’s the old nature-nuture argument. Or, what does your nature do with your nurture?
Too much to talk about with the game coming up. Let’s get back to this when we need to kill some time in a few days weeks months
Mmmmm ... Guinness
The Spurs didn’t really have any of those guys. Duncan is quite, but really focused and consistent. He’s the big fundamental.
You do know
you are responding to a comment from April 2008, right?
Blogging Suns Basketball . twitter: @sethpo
I don't understand what you mean here..
My point was that most of the legendary players, when on championship teams could be real pricks and had an asshole/mean streak to them.
Duncan is the only one I can think of who really doesn’t.
"True glory consists of doing what deserves to be written, and writing what deserves to be read".
by Pliny the Elder on Mar 5, 2010 8:18 PM MST up reply actions
Oh, I understand you now. I thought you meant Duncan was one of those guys. I was just saying he wasn’t.
I find it weird how you guys were talking about this subject and Rodman two years ago while just two days ago I was talking about the same thing with some of the guys on here.
same song, different cover band..
just look at what we were saying about Amare, two years ago.
"True glory consists of doing what deserves to be written, and writing what deserves to be read".
by Pliny the Elder on Mar 6, 2010 12:52 PM MST up reply actions
I don't know anything about economics
I just make stuff up.
Incentives matter, but primarily on the macro scale, or on average. Individually, they do push people, but psychology plays a much greater role than the raw incentives.
All the pushing right now is for Amare to improve defensively. He knows that. He hears it constantly.
But at the same time, let’s not forget what’s gotten him all his pretty awards – offensive production.
Remember, what made him the Suns pick? Jerry Colangelo watch one of his rim rocking dunks and told the staff, “He’s our guy.” And that was the end of draft discussion.
And he’s All-NBA without defense? He’s been spoiled.
Where doubting Thomases believe
I still think defense
is coached and not a talent. Except for the rare exceptions in the league – guys that are defense only – teams are great defensively and not individuals.
Look at the Spurs. Sure, they have Bowen and Duncan and Manu is decent as well. But Finely and Barry? Horry? Parker? Do you really think on the Suns these guys would be “great defenders”.
The Suns (and Amare) have the atheltic ability to defend well. LB with his speed and length could easily be a great on the ball defender. Has anyone spent the time to teach him? I don’t think so. And don’t discount the difference between guys that played a few years in the NCAA like DJ (and Duncan).
Blogging Suns Basketball
by Seth Pollack on Apr 29, 2008 3:43 PM MDT up reply actions
We do need more defensive coaching
I agree 100%. Kerr needs to bring in a defensive coordinator.
Where doubting Thomases believe
Dan Dantoni
Has been a great defensive coach for LB.
Here’s his lesson plan:
(1) Become steals leader
(2) Gamble more in the passing lanes
(3) He the guy flinches, you jump! There are no fakes, only fouls waiting for you to commit.
Where doubting Thomases believe
Stan
great points, I also think defense in general is taught by coaches to teams, at least great defense. How good was Ivaroni?
Mark I
I think his reputation exceeded his performance just based on what we saw last year…and the year before.
Still, I do think the trade had a big impact this year. If you recall the Suns were growing into a very good defensive team just before the trade. Their rotations and help on pick and rolls improved as the year progressed. Why. Because they were able to finally devote coaching and practice time to it. The team had been together for awhile and had incorporated Hill into the offense and so they were moving on a path to becoming a solid defensive team – yet still limited of course by the lack of size and rebounding.
I made this arguement too many times to count after the trade. They had to spend so much time revamping the offense – b/c offense comes first in Coach D’s system – that they didn’t have time to do D.
They also have of course a huge hole in the middle of the court b/c Shaq can’t come out and cover the pick and roll. Again. Broken record.
I think Jack M said it best in his article you linked to this morning:
the Suns don’t specialize in situational defenses and active rotations, which require discipline and hours of practice to master.
Blogging Suns Basketball
by Seth Pollack on Apr 29, 2008 4:52 PM MDT up reply actions
Not coaching, but training
There is a difference between coaching and training.
One only needs to look at the way Coach Antoni runs his practices from an offensive perspective. No extended talking, no unnecessary stuff. They just run and practice and strengthen instincts and muscle memory.
It works on both ends. Although everyone told all the Suns’ defenders to switch on every three-point shooter at the end of regulation in Game 1, how is a player supposed to think that quickly? Like Maverick says, “If you think, you’re dead.” Amare needs that drilled into him—every player needs that drilled into him.
It astounds me that Mike Antoni can be so revolutionary on one of the court and so open to advanced training models yet refuse to put some of that effort onto the other end of the court.
Mmmmm ... Guinness
by JSun on Apr 29, 2008 4:42 PM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
You guys are forgetting something...
You can bring the best defensive coordinator in the world, if the players are not interested or committed…its useless. Its a matter of attitude.
"Basketball doesn't build character. It reveals it"
All year long
everytime there was one of those effortless games, inevietably Marjerle, Chambers or EJ would talk about how Cotton would never have put up with that.
Would have benched the started in the second quarter of those silly no effort games against the Heat or Wolves. The coaching can make it clear that they aren’t going to tolerate that by calling guys out and embarassing them and eventually by trading away those that won’t adjust and making that a priority for personnel moves.
Blogging Suns Basketball
by Seth Pollack on Apr 29, 2008 4:56 PM MDT up reply actions
Nice article
I agree, Amare has come a long way, and for our sakes, and his, I hope he continues on the path to becoming the best player in the league….its a possibility. But, I think it’s harder to change mental patterns or beliefs than learn a jumpshot, or some skill when you have drive and ability like he does. I think he can do it, it’s scary how good he is offensively already, but, simply said, he’s not close to a smart player yet. A smart player wouldn’t run over K.Thomas at the end when it mattered most, but, hard to be upset with a guy that has done so much for the Suns…
I wish him luck, changing is very tough, especially when so many fans say your the best in the league, easy to start believing it…
That’s why I like Chuck calling Amare out (& Shaq) on Amare for not rebounding like he should. Once again, on rebounding, there’s a reason sean marks would get more rebounds a game than amare, it’s the knowledge and desire of how to get a rebound…
On this, I think Amare’s desire simply isn’t there (yet), or his knowledge….tough to complain though about the best offensive forward in the league.
Amare can get there
He’s clearly never going to be a top top top player like LeBron or Kobe or MJ. He would already be there after 5 years if that’s the case. I do think though that in a few more years with the right coaching he can be right there in the top 10 in the NBA.
And think about that for a second. Top 10 basketball players. On the planet. Not bad. Are any of you top ten on the planet in what you do? Not me.
Blogging Suns Basketball
Coaching created Amar'e and the Sun's defensive liabilities
Lest we forget that the offensive style we played under D’Antoni was all about 7sol. We didn’t foul because it slowed the game down. It didn’t matter if the other team scored or not, we were going to push the ball up court and get a shot. The team was built to outscore people not stop people. We’ve had some decent defenders here….Marion, Bell…but team defense was not a focus until now. Plus, in all my years of being a Suns fan the knock was that we never had a big man to rebound and block shots. And we tried all sorts of stiffs or has beens to try and get one. So then Kerr goes out and brings in the biggest of the bigs in Shaq. But it wasn’t until Lopez was inserted into the line up that things got better. He’s young, big, and he’s athletic. And now the others are buying in, but we had to have someone in the middle to play goalie, which we have for the 1st time now.
So yeah it is about coaching, and Gentry is moving in that direction now that he has Lopez, Dudley, Amundson and the talent to play good d. But Gentry is having to get Amar’e to unlearn what he was originally taught. It’s not just about Amar’e, it’s the overall defensive rotation for the team and that mindset of outscoring people vs stopping them that’s been the issue. That’s why the Spurs, Cavs, Celtics, etc are considered good defensive teams.
I wrote this 2 years ago
Wow. It feels even longer than that! Thanks for re-posting this, Seth!
"Basketball doesn't build character. It reveals it"
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