Raising The Team IQ

So many times I see close games that are lost not because one team has more talent than the other, but because one team is smarter than the other.  Sometimes the team with less skill is smarter and they go home with the victory.  It is the coaches job to see that this does not happen.  It is much harder to hit a three with a hand in your face or battle for a rebound with a put back, than it is to learn to play smart basketball.  I know it's fun to hit that three, but which is really more fun, hitting the three and losing because you shot 20% from three point land and missed some at the end of the game when it was not necessary, or taking less three's and going home with a win?  I suspect winning is more fun.

Let's look at some situations and you decide your answer.  I will give the correct answers at the bottom of the blog page.

1. Your team is up by 3 and is bringing the ball in under your basket.  There is less than a minute to go in the first half (50 seconds).  The possession arrow is in your favor.  What should you do on offense?
2. Your team down by 3 and is bringing the ball in under your basket.  There is less than a minute to go in the first half (50 seconds).  The possession arrow is in your favor.   What should you do on offense?  If you score, what should you do on defense?
3. There is about 5 minutes to go in the first half.  Your team is down by 15.  What should you be doing on offense?  Defense?
4. There is about 5 minutes to go in the first half.  Your team is up by 15.  What should you be doing on offense?  Defense?
5. Midway through the 4th quarter your team is still down by 10 and just trading baskets, but you are in the bonus.  What should you be doing on offense?  Defense?
6. There is a minute or less to go in the game and you are up by 2.  A fast break opportunity presents itself but it is not a clear 2 on 1.  What to do?
7. There is a minute or less to go in the game and you are down by 2.  What do you do on offense?  Defense?

Answers:

1. The dumb thing to do would be to shoot a quick outside shot creating a long rebound and an easy scoring chance for the other team at the other end.  The smart thing to do would be work the ball patiently trying to get it inside to extend the lead to 5 using up most of the clock.  Maybe you will get fouled and get two at the free throw line.  Come out in the second half, score and what was a 3 point lead is suddenly 7.
2. Push the ball quickly trying to get a good shot with a chance for another possession.  No three's trying to be a hero and tie the game.  Get a good look from short range or a foul, get a sure 2 and if you play good defense, go in at half down by one and come out in the second half with a chance for the lead.  If you do score, press, make one attempt for a steal and the lead, no foul, after that, trap and slow the progress of the other team so they cannot get a score.
3. This is where uncontested three pointers some of the time by your best shooters are ok but slow progress with sure inside 2's and trips to the free throw line cutting the deficit to under 10 at half is a higher percentage play.  Never begin to jack up contested three's just because you are far behind.  You will only get further behind.  On defense, play tough and try to create so turnovers that lead to easy fast break points.  That is really the quickest way back into the game.
4. The dumb thing would be to shoot outside shots trying to blow the other team out.  Wrong.  Play patient basketball working it inside for easy 2's, no long rebounds and fast break opportunities for the other team.  Trade baskets, keep the lead and look to expand in the second half when the defense of the opponent gets desparate and extends their defense.  On defense, play tough but don't foul.  You don't want the other team scoring with the clock stopped.  The clock is your friend.
5. Whenever you reach the bonus, drives to the basket and inside basketball is the only way to play.  That's where you earn trips to the free throw line.  You can make up the deficit while the clock is stopped.  Outside shooting never gets you to the line and the bonus is wasted.  On defense you must get a stop at least every three times down the floor by your opponent.  Turnovers and jumping the passing lanes can lead to some easy points at the other end.
6. The hero would take it in anyway hoping to go up by 4.  Maybe he gets it, maybe he blows the layup, does not get the foul, and the other team outnumbers you at the other end to tie or go ahead.  The smart player waits for his teamates to arrive, works it inside for a close in shot or a trip to the line to extend the lead to 4 or runs out the clock in the process.
7. The hero tries to make a three to win and maybe does.  Percentages say not.  Get a good quick 2 and press, looking for a turnover and a final chance to win without giving the oponent a chance to ice the game.

How did you do?  Hero?  Goat? Or smart team player going home with a win?