The Chicago sports world lost a great man today. Former Bulls great and Comcast Sports Net Bulls commentator Norm Van Lier passed away at the age of 61. Norm's nickname was "Stormin" Norman and he lived up to it as a player. Norm was a feisty point guard who was always mixing it up and diving for loose balls on the court. He was a solid play maker and managed to maintain double-figure scoring seven of the ten years he played in the NBA. Norm's "intensity" on defense was the attribute that set him apart and made him a three-time All-Star as well.
I was fortunate to work with Norm Van Lier at Sports Channel (Comcast Sports Net) and the Chicago Bulls. I also considered Norm as a basketball mentor and friend. Norm lived his life with "intensity" and was not afraid to share his point of view on Chicago Bulls basketball. His wealth of basketball knowledge gave him the permission to speak his mind about whomever and however he chose. Norm wanted today's basketball player to understand that playing hard every practice and game is mandatory. He would point out the players that did not do it and hold them accountable to adjust it. He was "old school" and there are not enough people that share his philosophy. Norm also was one of my celebrity guests at the grand opening of our Schamburg Bulls basketball programs at the Schaumburg Sports Center and a host of other Chicago Bulls sponsored events throughout the years.
I had the pleasure of being coached by Norm in a pre-game scrimmage at the United Center a couple of years ago. Norm was intense as a coach and pushed our team to play hard even though it was a scrimmage. He gave me a compliment about the way I played defense. This was a surreal moment for me because I grew up emulating Norm! I truly appreciated it because the compliment came from Norm Van Lier. I grew up and am currently a die-hard Chicago Bulls fan and watched "Stormin" Norman when I was a little guy. My godfather, Flynn Robinson, was a Chicago Bull for about a year with Norm Van Lier. Flynn was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers and there was no cable TV at that time to watch my godfather play. Even though he was my godfather, my dad's rule was that we pulled for home team anyway. My formal basketball years were then developed watching Norm and his backcourt mate, Jerry Sloan play for the Chicago Bulls. The were both as tough as nails and arguably one of the best backcourt tandems ever in the NBA. They played tenacious defense and made it hard on their opponents at all times. I grew trying to emulate Norm's style of play.
As youth, grade and high school coaches, it is important to demand your players to play hard every practice and game. They will appreciate you for it and will maximize their opportunities on the basketball court in the future. There is no substitute for players giving "48 minutes of intensity" or however many minutes of "intensity" you play at your game level. Players, give your best effort at ALL times. Don't ever let it be a question about your desire and will to play the game of basketball!
"Goodbye Norm! I am going to do my part in carrying on your basketball philosophy!!!"
Yours in Basketball,
Coach Stewart
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Pick and Roll- the most efficient offensive play in basketball
The Pick and Roll is one of the oldest, but most effective offensive plays in basketball. John Stockton and Karl Malone of the Utah Jazz, ran the pick and roll to perfection. They are both future Hall of Fame basketball players and two of the 50 Greatest Players to ever play in the NBA. The Pick and Roll was the primary source of offense and gave both players scoring opportunities that opposing players had difficulty defending.
The "ball handler" dribbles the basketball toward the "screener" for the pick to be set. The "ball handler" has to utilize the pick by coming directly off of the "screener's" shoulder, making sure there is no space for the defender to slide through. If the defender is able to slide through the pick, the pick and roll immediately breaks down.
The "ball handler" proceed to dribble off of the "screener's" shoulder towards the basket. The "screener" then seals the defender on his outside hip and "rolls" towards the basket with his or her outside hand up for the pass. The "ball handler" has to make the decision to pass the basketball to the "screener" if he or she is open. If the "screener" is not open for the pass then the jump shot should be open for the "ball handler."
This is a simple play coaches can run at the youth and high school levels to get player open layups and jump shots. Remember, keep the game simple and players will execute!
Yours in Basketball,
Coach Stewart
The "ball handler" dribbles the basketball toward the "screener" for the pick to be set. The "ball handler" has to utilize the pick by coming directly off of the "screener's" shoulder, making sure there is no space for the defender to slide through. If the defender is able to slide through the pick, the pick and roll immediately breaks down.
The "ball handler" proceed to dribble off of the "screener's" shoulder towards the basket. The "screener" then seals the defender on his outside hip and "rolls" towards the basket with his or her outside hand up for the pass. The "ball handler" has to make the decision to pass the basketball to the "screener" if he or she is open. If the "screener" is not open for the pass then the jump shot should be open for the "ball handler."
This is a simple play coaches can run at the youth and high school levels to get player open layups and jump shots. Remember, keep the game simple and players will execute!
Yours in Basketball,
Coach Stewart
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
"Shooting the Rock with Barack- Part 2
This past Sunday, I was granted the opportunity to play basketball with the President of the United States, Barack Obama. I was on a short list of guys that President Obama requested to play with and while he was in Chicago and I was honored to join him.
We met at 10:30am and secret service people were everywhere. There were police setting barricades and helicopters flying around to secure the location for the president's arrival. President Obama arrived at 11:00am sharp with his Chicago White Sox hat on looking like a "true" south sider! He greeted everyone personally and proceeded to get ready to play basketball!
The teams were split and there were four groups of players. President Obama and I were not on the same team this time though. He and I started out playing on different courts and we both won our games. We would play against each other in the second game because both of our teams won in the first games.
We began playing the second game against the President's squad and it was tight! President Obama scored the first three baskets for his team. (A jump shot and two layups) We were down 3-1 early in the game. Our teams battled defensively through the game and that limited the open scoring opportunities for everyone. The score of the game was 10-10 and game point was 11. I brought the ball up the court on the dribble and passed it inside to my teammate for a layup which was blocked. The President's squad drove the ball down the floor and turned the ball over to one of my teammates. My teammate proceeded to throw me the ball as I ran toward our basket. I caught the basketball and dribbled it as my defender dropped back to defend the basket. I stopped and pulled up for a 19 foot jump shot and hit the bottom of the net! We beat the President's team by one basket! President Obama was one of the first people to congratulate me on making the shot. He also was fired up at his teammate for giving me an open look at the basket. President Obama called me the "bionic man" because I wear a knee brace due to my chronic knee problems. I thought it was hilarious and everyone shared in the laughter when he said it.
When we finished playing, President Obama thanked everyone for attending and told us he looked forward to playing with us again soon. We all thanked him as well. One of the the guys yelled to the President, "When will you fly us out to D.C. to play at Camp David?" President Obama replied, " It may be sooner than you think."
Stay tuned........
Yours in Basketball,
Coach Stewart
We met at 10:30am and secret service people were everywhere. There were police setting barricades and helicopters flying around to secure the location for the president's arrival. President Obama arrived at 11:00am sharp with his Chicago White Sox hat on looking like a "true" south sider! He greeted everyone personally and proceeded to get ready to play basketball!
The teams were split and there were four groups of players. President Obama and I were not on the same team this time though. He and I started out playing on different courts and we both won our games. We would play against each other in the second game because both of our teams won in the first games.
We began playing the second game against the President's squad and it was tight! President Obama scored the first three baskets for his team. (A jump shot and two layups) We were down 3-1 early in the game. Our teams battled defensively through the game and that limited the open scoring opportunities for everyone. The score of the game was 10-10 and game point was 11. I brought the ball up the court on the dribble and passed it inside to my teammate for a layup which was blocked. The President's squad drove the ball down the floor and turned the ball over to one of my teammates. My teammate proceeded to throw me the ball as I ran toward our basket. I caught the basketball and dribbled it as my defender dropped back to defend the basket. I stopped and pulled up for a 19 foot jump shot and hit the bottom of the net! We beat the President's team by one basket! President Obama was one of the first people to congratulate me on making the shot. He also was fired up at his teammate for giving me an open look at the basket. President Obama called me the "bionic man" because I wear a knee brace due to my chronic knee problems. I thought it was hilarious and everyone shared in the laughter when he said it.
When we finished playing, President Obama thanked everyone for attending and told us he looked forward to playing with us again soon. We all thanked him as well. One of the the guys yelled to the President, "When will you fly us out to D.C. to play at Camp David?" President Obama replied, " It may be sooner than you think."
Stay tuned........
Yours in Basketball,
Coach Stewart
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Sportsmanship- another key to success
Sportsmanship in youth sports is not being stressed enough. It is an important ingredient in the development of an athlete. There are a number of talented athletes playing sports but you hear stories about the lack of character and discipline that some athletes fail to possess. It is very unfortunate because they probably did not have a coach that stressed to the athlete the importance of having a good attitude and being coachable.
Basketball coaches should stress sportsmanship for the youth basketball player to make them accountable for their actions. It should not matter how much talent a player has in regard to making the player adhere to rules and have a positive attitude. Children look to adults for discipline no matter what the may say or do. As coaches, it is our job to give them a solid foundation so they can succeed on the basketball court and in life.
A basketball player's attitude can and will determine their altitude! Don't let your basketball players sell themselves short. Make sure they are conducting themselves properly on and off the court!
Yours in Basketball,
Coach Stewart
Basketball coaches should stress sportsmanship for the youth basketball player to make them accountable for their actions. It should not matter how much talent a player has in regard to making the player adhere to rules and have a positive attitude. Children look to adults for discipline no matter what the may say or do. As coaches, it is our job to give them a solid foundation so they can succeed on the basketball court and in life.
A basketball player's attitude can and will determine their altitude! Don't let your basketball players sell themselves short. Make sure they are conducting themselves properly on and off the court!
Yours in Basketball,
Coach Stewart
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Triple threat position- The key to being a true offensive threat
In the grade, middle and high school I have watched this season, there are only a few players that are truly using the triple threat position on offense. A player can pass, dribble or shoot out of triple threat position. The offensive player is in total control when in triple threat position because the defense can only anticipate what they are going to do.
The other component that makes the triple threat position dangerous is for players to always face the basket. Facing the basket gives the offensive player an advantage to look for a shot, see passing lanes and seams to the basket. It is important for players to discipline themselves to catch and face the basket every time they catch the basketball on the perimeter. A good defender will not guard a player to shoot the basketball that is not in triple threat position. You will become predictable and liability if you are not at least a threat to shoot the basketball.
Offensive players, remember to stay in triple threat position when you are offense. I will give you an immediate advantage over your defender and you are a threat to pass, dribble and shoot at all times.
Yours in Basketball,
Coach Stewart
The other component that makes the triple threat position dangerous is for players to always face the basket. Facing the basket gives the offensive player an advantage to look for a shot, see passing lanes and seams to the basket. It is important for players to discipline themselves to catch and face the basket every time they catch the basketball on the perimeter. A good defender will not guard a player to shoot the basketball that is not in triple threat position. You will become predictable and liability if you are not at least a threat to shoot the basketball.
Offensive players, remember to stay in triple threat position when you are offense. I will give you an immediate advantage over your defender and you are a threat to pass, dribble and shoot at all times.
Yours in Basketball,
Coach Stewart
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Lincoln Way North vs. Bolingbrook
Tonight, two Bulls Academy players face off against one another on the high school circuit. The Lincoln Way North Phoenix will host the Bolingbrook Raiders tonight at 7:30pm. Junior guard, Kendall Salley and the Phoenix will take on University of Wisconsin senior guard Diamond Taylor and the Raiders.
Coach Bob Curran of Lincoln Way North is a long time friend and Coach Rob Brost of Bolingbrook is a good friend and former Supervisor of Basketball Operations at the Bulls Academy. Both men are excellent basketball technicians and provide good structure and discipline for their teams. t
Both young men have compete against one another here at the Bulls Academy and I expect to see the same sportsmanship during their high school game tonight. I feel like a proud father watching his boys play against on another! I am extremely proud of both players regardless of the outcome of the game!
Yours in Basketball,
Coach Stewart
Coach Bob Curran of Lincoln Way North is a long time friend and Coach Rob Brost of Bolingbrook is a good friend and former Supervisor of Basketball Operations at the Bulls Academy. Both men are excellent basketball technicians and provide good structure and discipline for their teams. t
Both young men have compete against one another here at the Bulls Academy and I expect to see the same sportsmanship during their high school game tonight. I feel like a proud father watching his boys play against on another! I am extremely proud of both players regardless of the outcome of the game!
Yours in Basketball,
Coach Stewart
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