Why do teams struggle
in
organized basketball
leagues?
What
makes some teams so terrible in organized basketball? A big reason
is that they lack fundamental team play. They have
no idea how to run a simple
pick-and-roll or give-and-go to create easy baskets. They don’t know how to
make
the extra pass to get an open shot. As a result every possession is a
struggle to score. Every possession turns into
a one-on-one play, usually
ending in a tough shot that has a low percentage of going in the basket. It
results into
a turnover or fastbreak for the other team. When two horrible
teams play each other it is almost unwatchable. The game
is low-scoring, but
not because both teams are playing good defense. Sometimes you wonder if the
score will reach
double digits by halftime. Players have their heads down, the
crowd if laughing – everyone is embarrassed.
Many of these bad teams usually have players who lack fundamental
skills. They may be athletic and look like basketball
players, but they lack
basketball skills. They miss easy layups. They don’t know how to move without
the ball.
Most importantly they can’t shoot. Some can shoot the three, but
can’t make anything midrange. That is a
shame because the great players all
have midrange games and can get easy baskets. Shooting is particularly
important
in organized basketball because most teams play zone defenses,
whether it’s 2-3 or 3-2. Scoring against zones require
players who know how to
fill space, make cuts, pass, and shoot. Shooting is one of the most fundamental
skills of
basketball. If you can make an open shot you can become a very valued
on any team. If a players percentage is 50% when
he is open, then it will drop to
30% or less when he is covered. But most recreational players don't practice much
to
be successful. That's why there is only a few that can really play.
