The NBA head coach will provide general direction on a player's style of play, but rarely specifically instruct players' tactical details, all of which is done by the assistant coach.
As the coaching staff really improved Kobe and Michael Udin's pick-and-roll tactics under Shaquille O'Neal's advice, Larry Drew also made an appointment with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to specifically guide two pick-and-roll techniques.
Because Kareem is only a consultant, he doesn't follow the team every day, so special training for Michael Udin and Kobe was arranged after the afternoon training, and Kareem also deliberately rushed from home.
As for Larry Drew, as NBA assistant coaches, they all have a very tough job. Accompanying the players to train is only the most basic part. There were only four masters and apprentices left in the arena.
"Odin, your hook strokes have improved a lot. It seems you have worked hard in training, which makes me very happy."
After arriving at the training hall, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar first confirmed Michael Udin's progress.
"The media has reported that I am your disciple. How can I get to appear in the arena if I don't make progress?"
Michael Udin praised himself and his teacher.
Odin, did you know that your talent is at the highest level in the NBA, that is, the mid-high level, but you can reach the All-Star level with your mouth.
Take you to practice with me, at least in a good mood!
You and Kobe have been harassed by the Utah Jazz and want to learn their tactics? "
Jabbar twisted his waist, stretched his arms, and twisted his neck.
"Everything is arranged by the coaching staff, everything is arranged by the coaching staff!"
Michael Udin did not dare to take it himself.
"I watched the game against Utah. Even though I fell asleep during trash time, I still heard Magic Johnson's funny voice on TV. He kept saying that even though he was behind a lot, but Michael Udin and Kobe didn't give up, they kept playing pick-and-rolls trying to return to the game.
With such a crushing defeat in such a focused battle, Coach Harris doesn't want to let the two of you practice new tactics! "
Jabbar relentlessly exposed Michael Udin's old ass, and what he wanted to reveal was obvious.
"At least today Coach Harris agreed to improve our pick-and-roll tactics!"
Michael Udin can only haha and avoid discussing the core issue.
"Perhaps in the most critical of games, your mouth is more threatening than your shot.
It's not something I'm worried about, let's start practicing. "
said Jabbar thoughtfully.
Michael Udin was relieved, but Kobe was impatient.
Larry Drew pulled out two hurdles and placed them on the top three-point line according to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's instructions.
"Kobe, what do you think is the point of two pick-and-roll tactics?
Since you and their pick-and-roll core are really two things, Larry, can you talk about the proportions of Utah's pick-and-roll fouls. "
Jabbar is the type of consultant who knows how to guide others, he is very particular about the level of explanation.
"In last season's pick-and-roll partnership between Karl Malone and John Stockton, Karl Malone's direct fouls accounted for 52% of the ball, and Karl Malone's pass after receiving the ball accounted for 100%. In 5 of 5, John Stockton's own fouls accounted for 23% , and John Stockton passing the ball to someone else contributed 20%."
Data broadcaster Larry Drew accurately reports ball distribution for the Utah Jazz pick-and-roll.
"You're amazing Larry, I suggest Jerry give you an extra paycheck!
The Utah pick-and-roll duo mainly attacked Karl Malone. Between them, Malone had a lot of fake pick-and-rolls, namely, Malone ran back after half way, and then received a pass from Stockton to hit the basket.
This kind of cooperation really tests the passing ability of the ball player, Kobe, you are very difficult to reach that level, you are a natural striker, there is no way you pass the ball like that.
Kobe, you say, you want to attack right away with the help of Odin's screen, which requires Odin to have a very, very solid screen to block your defenders.
But Odin's width and body strength make it difficult to make a high-quality pick-and-roll, which also makes Odin's simple pick-and-roll very inefficient.
This is also the reason why Coach Harris didn't let you pick and roll often before. How do you think this situation should turn out? "
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's analysis made Michael Udin and Kobe suddenly realize that they did have a lot of problems.
"I have to make myself stronger!"
"I want to strengthen my passing skills!"
Both of them talk at the same time
"When did you become as strong as Malone?
When can you pass the ball as accurately as John Stockton? "
Kareem tormented the two brothers in their souls, and the brothers were at a loss for words.
Larry Drew also looked at Karim, he didn't know what good advice the legendary superstar could give.
"If the two of you want to play a deterrent cooperation that can change your opponent's defensive strategy, you must maximize your personal gain.
If Michael Udin covered Kobe, the opponent's little guy would definitely snatch him madly.
How about Kobe, you came to pick and roll Michael Udin? ", Karim continued to speak.
"To be honest, I really don't like pick-and-rolls!
Michael Jordan who defended me. I don't even need a pick-and-roll. I can definitely blow it up in a 1-on-1 situation! "
If it weren't for the limited singles after coming to the NBA, Kobe really wouldn't have wanted to practice deep pick-and-roll tactics.
"In terms of my experience playing in the NBA over the years, I believe one day you can match Michael Jordan.
But now whether you're up against John Stockton, Jeff Hornacek, or Brian Russell, you don't have absolute singleness skills.
You're young, Shaq isn't that old, and the Lakers can wait. It won't be difficult to win a championship based on your framework in three or five years.
Just don't think about it in recent years, the Utah Jazz would be an insurmountable mountain ahead of the Lakers. "
Jabbar's words were simple, straightforward and piercing.
"I am willing to change, I don't want to wait that long!"
Hearing this analysis of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe's character is naturally unwilling to endure for three to five years.
"Then I will continue. The point of pick-and-roll is to create offensive space. When it was not possible to directly create an offensive opportunity, it would be relegated to a small fight tactic or a big fight.
This is the essence of the pick-and-roll tactic to cause the little guys holding the ball from the outside to play big, and when the ball goes in, they can play big.
Combinations that take pick and roll to such extremes as the Utah duo are naturally powerful. What you want is not a pick and roll tactic. All you want is an efficient way to score points.
If Odin prepares a screen for Kobe, then some of the leaders of the perimeter defense like the Utah Jazz are easy to grab, bypass, and even easily make Kobe attack. Kobe's current singles and dual team abilities are hard to beat. Solve this situation. Therefore, I wanted Kobe to make a cover for Odin.
Come on, you two come here! "
Jabbar confronted Kobe with one hand and Michael Udin with one, placing them both in the designated positions.
"Kobe, you have to dribble to protect Odin."
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's words completely shocked Michael Udin and Kobe Bryant.
"How to handle the ball for teammates?"
Kobe looked at Karim in confusion.
"Shaq's hand-to-hand pass to the guards is what I call a ball handling screen. Kobe, you think of yourself as Shaq off the three-point line."
Jabbar's explanation made the brothers suddenly clear.
Sometimes when Shaquille O'Neal played back at the low post, Nick Van Exel would slip the line down and make the cut blank. At this point, Shaquille O'Neal let his teammates pass and pass the ball to the side, good for his team-mates. After the cannonball blocked the pursuing defenders, this kind of cooperation had a very impressive success rate.
"I see what you mean!"
Kobe's basketball IQ is unquestionable.
"Larry, you will defend Kobe, and I will defend Odin.
Odin, you go next door to Kobe!
Get moving, kids! Move! "
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar handed the ball to Kobe to officially start tactical training.