Let’s just drop the “roster construction” and really think here. Does Red have anything to do with Lampkin dropping the ball 10 times a game? Bell not being able to make a free throw or throw a 2 foot entry pass ? JJ stepping out of bounds twice? You guys are blaming Red for everything and at some points it’s on the players. They care when they are playing well and don’t when they get boat raced Iike last night…
I played golf at every level including division 1. If I missed a 3 footer, should I blame my coach? Blame him for putting me in starting line up? Tell him it’s his fault for not teaching me how to make it? NO! It’s on the player. These kids have been playing basketball their entire life. At some point you have to blame them for THEIR mistakes
Yes, coaching matters more than you’re allowing.
Golf…. Seems like an odd analog. Even my equally odd Tennis experience makes more sense. How about this: I’m currently just out there hitting with my machine and watching YouTube videos for pointers. I have terrible footwork, inconsistent technique. So, when i miss a shot, it’s usually not because of a lack of athleticism, it’s because of preparation. A coach sees things. The nuances that make a difference.
I watch tennis vids and think the player is doing things beautifully. Then the better coaches show me the details of what those players can improve—things I don’t see at first (or second) glance. And they have methods of drilling those better techniques so that when the player is on the court against a real opponent, muscle memory is a thing, and the player doesn’t have to just react. The player Acts. Instinctually. That makes a difference.
Talent is not good. No one creditable is disputing that. But we are being out executed by teams with less talent. Other teams know how to do basic things: switch on D, run a fast break, rebound and box out at the same time, set a pick, Use a pick, get open for perimeter shots…. Basic stuff. Did these players do this stuff with previous teams? Maybe. But, that’s what practices are for—if they’ve lost something, you re-instill it. If they never had it and we recruited them anyway, you teach it. And practices are run by… by? Anyone? Anyone? That’s right—coaches!
Then there’s the psychology. We have a crap team in the midst of a crap season. Motivating players that see light is much different from motivating them when they don’t. And then add the fact that paid players aren’t really as ‘hungry’ as they used to be…. It’s a new world. This coaching staff isn‘t managing any if this well. I’m sure they’re all great fellows, but you don’t want Mr. Rogers leading your battalion.
