Blog Post #56, May 10, 2009

The Great Post Player

Category: Post Play

What do the greatest post players all have in common? The answer is found in the acronym, “POST.”

P roactive
Wayne Gretzky, “The Great One,” when asked what he possessed that made him better than others, told reporters, while others play the puck where it is, he played it where it was going to be. Being proactive is a trait found among the elite of any sport. They see the play developing and are in position before it’s completed.  

Defense: In a recent TV special, Coby Bryant said, “You attack on offense. You have to attack on defense as well.” Great defensive centers anticipate penetration and, as the “Linebackers of Basketball,” are already waiting there to stop it. They also know the spot their assignments want to take, and they take it early. They see the shot develop and block out before it’s even released.
 
Offense: Great post players see a teammate about to be denied the pass and move to a position where they can receive the ball and make the backdoor pass. Against a zone defense, they are in the opening before the opening is there. They play chess while their opponents play checkers.

O bsessive
Great post players are obsessed with getting to the basket, stopping their assignments, and stealing the rebound.

Offense: Great post players are as obsessed with taking the ball to the basket, as some people are with getting a parking spot next to the grocery store. Dunks, layups, and free throws are like a drug to them. They get withdrawals when they settle for jump shots. So, they develop a dominant, unstoppable, penetrating, move through hundreds of hours of practice.

Defense: Bill Walton made it a goal to block his man’s first shot, every game. Great centers never, I mean NEVER, allow an uncontested shot. Their wills are gripped by an intense desire to get to that ball and deflect it.

I was obsessed with getting every rebound, especially the first defensive rebound of every game. I wanted to make a statement. When I looked at the statistics sheet after the game, and I didn’t have one rebound for every two minutes of playing time, I was disappointed in myself. I considered every shot to be a pass to me.

S mart
Great post players play intelligent basketball on both ends of the floor.

Offense: On offense, great post players make cuts when their defenders turn their heads and lose momentary vision. They make backdoor cuts to get open. They make perimeter cuts to get their men out of defensive rebound position and then, like a cat, take it.

Defense: On defense, great post players study their assignments and, when those players make moves, they are already there waiting for them. They communicate to perimeter players, letting them know where the help is, warning them of coming screens, and calling switches. 

T eam Player
Great post players understand and believe five players, working together, will beat any team with individuals. They perform the role they have been assigned because their teammates depend on them. For the benefit of the spirit of the team, they eagerly sacrifice self glory. They encourage teammates that are discouraged. They set examples of intensity and professionalism for their teammates to follow.

Defense: Great post players, on defense, have only one goal: Stop any play the offense is attempting to make. They will leave their own men to cut off drivers and challenge shots. 

Offense: In the spirit of Magic Johnson (not a true post players but you know what he did in the finals, playing the post, when Kareem was hurt), great post players don’t care who scores as long as it’s their teams that score. They understand a team can accomplish much when no one cares who gets the credit.