24_001 30-05-2007 9:59 Pagina 1

FIBA ASSIST MAGAZINE FOR BASKETBALL ENTHUSIASTS EVERYWHERE MAY / JUNE 2007
ASSIST26

sergio hernandez
argentina’s offensive
system
Zelimir Obradovic
lindsay gaze
the shuffle offense
peter webb-ray mcclure
let the rules be the guide
PANATHINAIKOS’
william sutton
building a champion on
and off the court
jacques huguet
injuries affecting
OFFENSE
the ability to play
4-
26_003 30-05-2007 13:14 Pagina 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2007 FIBA CALENDAR COACHES

june 2007 FUNDAMENTALS AND YOUTH BASKETBALL
03 - 10.06 FIBA Asia Championship for
Women in Incheon, Korea The Pick-and-Roll: All of the Solutions 4
29.06 - 08.07 FIBA U21 World by Ryan Krueger
Championship for Women
in Moscow / Moscow
Region, Russia OFFENSE
july 2007 Argentina’s Offensive System 12
12-22.07 FIBA U19 World
Championship for Men by Sergio Hernandez
FIBA ASSIST MAGAZINE
26.07 - 05.08 FIBA U19 World
IS A PUBLICATION OF FIBA Championship for Women The Shuffle Offense 18
International Basketball Federation in Bratislava, Slovakia
51 – 53, Avenue Louis Casaï 28.07 - 05.08 FIBA Asia Championship for by Lindsay Gaze
CH-1216 Cointrin/Geneva Switzerland Men in Tokushima, Japan
Tel. +41-22-545.0000, Fax +41-22-545.0099
www.fiba.com / e-mail: info@fiba.com august 2007 Panathinaikos’ offense 24
IN COLLABORATION WITH Giganti-BT&M, Cantelli 15 - 26.08 FIBA Africa Championship
Editore, Italy for Men in Benguela, by Zelimir Obradovic
PARTNER WABC (World Association of Cabinda, Huila, Huambo and
Basketball Coaches), Dusan Ivkovic President
Luanda, Angola
20.08 - 24.08 FIBA Oceania HOOP MARKET
Championship for Men in Billy the Kid is Back (to Back) 28
Editor-in-Chief Melbourne, Sydney and
Giorgio Gandolfi Brisbane, Australia by Raffaele Imbrogno
22.08 - 02.09 FIBA Americas
Championship for Men in
Editorial Office: Cantelli Editore,
V. Saliceto 22/E, 40013 Castel Maggiore
Las Vegas, USA REFEREES AND GAME
(BO), Italy, Tel. +39-051-6328811,
Fax +39-051 6328815
September 2007
03 - 16.09 FIBA Europe
ADMINISTRATION
E-mail: fibaassist@cantelli.net Championship “EuroBasket” Let the Rules be the Guide 30
Printed in Italy.
Copyright 2007 by FIBA. for Men in Alicante, by Peter Webb and Ray McClure
The magazine is published 6 times per year. Granada, Palma de
FIBA, Cantelli Editore and the Editor-in-Chief Mallorca, Sevilla and
are not responsible for the opinions expressed Madrid, Spain Right or Wrong? 34
in the articles. All rights reserved. 20 - 30.09 FIBA Africa Championship
The National Federation and their affiliates can for Women in Dakar,
reproduce any part or all the magazine for their
internal use, but not sell any part or all of the
Senegal
25 - 29.09 FIBA Americas
SPORT MARKETING AND MANAGEMENT
magazine to an external publisher without the
written permission of FIBA. Championship for Women executives and marketing
in Valdavia, Chile Building a Champion on and off the Court 35
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 24.09 - 07.10 FIBA European
Mirco Melloni, Corrado de Belvis, Lisa Championship for Women by William Sutton
Cavallini, Gerald Couzens and Raffaele in Ortona, Lanciano, Vasto,
Imbrogno; and the contributors Mirko Chieti, Italy
Ocokoljic, Patrick Hunt, Radmila Turner and 26.09 - 29.09 FIBA Oceania FIBA RESEARCH AND STUDY CENTRE
Marcos Michaelides. Championship for Women in FIBA at SportAccord 2007 40
Correction Dunedin, New Zealand
The article, “USA Team Strategy in Japan” OCTOBER 2007
(January-February 2007, pages 18-23) 22 - 27.10 FIBA World League for DOCTORS, CONDITIONING
incorrectly noted that Team USA Head Women Final Round in
Coach, Mike Krzyzewski, was the author. Ekaterinburg, Russia COACHES AND TRAINERS
We regret the error. doctors
Injuries affecting the Ability to Play 42
HOW TO SUBSCRIBE: by Jacques Huguet
A one-year (6 issues) subscription to FIBA Assist Magazine
costs Euro 40 (europe), a n d euro 45 (outside europe)
to be payed in one of the following ways: NEWS
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BY FAX: ++39 051 6328816 for readers who need informations, The World in Brief 46
FOR INFORMATION: ++39 051 6328836 please send an e-mailto
(from 9 am to 1 pm Central European Time) fibaassist@cantelli.net OFF-THE-COURT
The Odd - The Funny - The Unusual 50

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FIBA EUROPE
COACHES - FUNDAMENTALS AND YOUTH BASKETBALL

THE PICK-AND-ROLL:
by Ryan Kruger
ALL OF THE
SOLUTIONS
Ryan Krueger has been the assistant The ball handler must always come off "bingo" a pick I want a crossover (or thru
coach of Virginia Commonwealth for a shoulder to shoulder with the screener, the legs) dribble, because it's the quick-
year and of Maine Central Institute for as not to allow his defender any room to est change of direction move.
two seasons. For four years he has fight over the top of the screen.
worked with the New Jersey Nets, at The first look in the pick-and-roll is
first as a video coordinator and, begin- Waiting for the screener to be set is always the ball handler. I want him to
ning last season, as assistant coach. He vital. If he does not, he will get the scoring or making a play 80% of the
has written two books, "Yellow Brick screener called for an illegal screen. time. In any pick-and-roll the ball han-
Basketball Drills", whose proceeds go The ball handler should be setting his dler's first thought is "attack the big
toward the social campaign "Coaches defender away from the screen (with an man". His options are always drive first,
vs. Cancer". He has also been an in-out dribble, a step across or rip-thru), shoot second, and pass third. If you do
instructor at Five-Star Camp. exactly as the screener's feet are hitting not want the ball handler to shoot it, you
the ground to set the screen. This should not be running the pick-and-roll
PICK-AND-ROLL PHILOSOPHY insures that the big man is not moving with him. The ideal situation is to get the
Guard Notes when the guard comes off and that the ball handler penetrating to the rim out of
The guard must set up his defender. If he big man will be able to set the best pos- any pick-and-roll.
wants to use the screen and get to the sible screen for the guard.
middle, then his setup is to fake to the Pick-and-rolls "create offense". The ball
baseline, the opposite if he wants to go He must "turn the corner" like he is run- handler must come off the pick-and-roll
to the baseline. ning downhill, picking up speed and to score. He must go hard to the rim,
With the dribble I like to teach the cannot be stopped. He must run off the with the chest facing the basket, as
inside-out move to get the defender screen in attack mode!!! All he is think- opposed to the sideline: he must go
leaning away from the screen. Now, ing is attacking that big man, getting into north-south, not east-west. If the ball
with him off balance, I like teaching a the paint by either splitting the pick-and- handler has confidence in his reads, he
quick crossover dribble to run the roll or getting around the screener's can overcome a lack of quickness.
defender right into the screener in the defender outside shoulder.
direction he wants to attack. I want my Big Men Notes
players coming off "clean" in every pick- When he comes off the screen, the ball The key of a great pick-and-roll starts
and-roll. handler must drive it at least two drib- with how the big man sets his screen. I
If a player is coming off "dirty" (where bles. He "bails out" the defense, if he am a huge believer in drilling "screening
his defender is able to stay attached to takes one bounce and picks up his drib- angles" into the heads of our big men. If
him), the ball handler is now forced to ble. Even if the defense is "blitzing" him the center or the big forward
attack two defenders (his defender and (trapping), he must "stretch" the defense "telegraphs" his route and saunters into
the screener's defender, since he was by taking a minimum of two dribbles, it as a snail's pace, it makes the
never screened), instead of one. and dragging the screener's defender defense's coverage very easy. What is
as far as possible, so the distance he hard to guard is when the big man
If the ball handler has not used his drib- must recover is greater. sprints into the screen and puts separa-
ble, I teach two ways to set up his tion between himself and his defender.
defender without a dribble. If the "Bingo" is a term I use to describe the It's hard to give an aggressive "show" at
defender is crowding him, taking away ball handler beating his defender away the level of the screen, when you are
his airspace, I teach the "step across." from the screen. trailing the play and cannot get there in
This move backs the defender off him, time!
so he has space to manoeuvre and also I do not like backing his defender down
get him leaning away from the screen. If to get into a pick-and-roll. Backing down What is also hard to guard is when a
the defender is giving him space, I teach a defender takes away the ball handler defender does not know on which side
a quick "rip-thru" away from the screen, ability to quickly "bingo" the pick. To do of the pick to give his "show". The guard
a violent ball and foot fake away from so, he must spin away from the screen, must help the situation by keeping the
the screen. which, in my opinion, is too slow. To ball in the center of the floor. If he

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declares a side, it's to the benefit of the make sure he goes over the screen, If angle as to force the ball handler's
defense, because now it is easy to know the ball handler's defender has to go defender to go over the top. It is to the
which side to give a "show". over the screen, he is no longer guard- defense's advantage to go under and let
"Telegraphing" the screen is when ing our ball handler. That means that, for you shoot a jump shot. They have kept
everyone in the building knows which a short period of time, we have created you out of lane, kept you from getting the
hand the defender is bringing the ball a situation where our guard can play shot at the rim, and kept you from "suck-
handler to. I like the big man starting one-on-one with their screener's ing in" their perimeter defenders (which
with his head under the rim and coming defender. creates wide open spot up of the small
up through the lane. Now no one knows forwards), all because we allowed them
which side the big man is going to set I want constantly put the defensive cen- to go under. Pick-and-rolls should be
the screen. We call this "changing the ter or power forward in positions where great "attack" situations for your aggres-
angle late". The big man must run into they are unable to get a "show". It is sive/athletic ball handlers (hopefully you
the screen and set it with his back any- much easier to attack a big man, who is have some!).
where between the "flat to the baseline" "loose," than it is to turn the corner ver-
and, at the very worst, "back to the cor- sus a hard show. With flat angle high pick-and-rolls, we
ner". Setting the screen with his chest to want to set a screen outside of the
the sideline, just make to easy to go It is unacceptable for teams to go under three-point line, because it gives the ball
under. I care less about "laying wood" on your pick-and-roll. The job of your handler more room to manoeuvre and
the ball handler's defender, than I do screener is to set the screen at such more space to get "a head of steam" and

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FIBA EUROPE
COACHES - FUNDAMENTALS AND YOUTH BASKETBALL

be in a dead sprint coming off the pick, as

opposed to starting from a stationary posi-
tion.

On traditional angle high pick-and-rolls, the

big man should set the screen with his foot
touching the three-point line. It's the
guard's job to run his defender off the
screen, not the big men's job to adjust to the
guard. Whenever possible, I would prefer to
set a flat angle pick-and-roll, as opposed to D.1 D.6
a traditional angle, because it causes a
great deal of confusion for the defense, and
consequently, much harder to defend.

A very tough situation to get a "show" on is

when the big man starts on the right block,
sprints up through the right elbow, and
then changes the angle of the pick at the
last minute, bringing the ball handler to his
left hand. It makes very tough for your
screener's defender to get a show,
because they expect the pick to be set D.2 D.7
bringing the ball handler to his right hand. I
call this coming up "thru the elbow" and
setting a "banana screen."

On traditional side pick-and-rolls, I want my

big men to be somewhere between setting
the screen with their back to the corner and
chest to the sideline (worst case scenario).
This is easy when the big men start low
(below the free-throw line), because of the
path they take to set a screen. Where they
run into a problem is in transition setting
"drag" screens and when they are on the D.3 D.8
perimeter outside of the three-point line.
When they run into a side pick-and-roll from
the top of the key, their path ends up being chest to the sideline, bringing the ball
a straight line to the ball, which means their handler to the middle, the screener has
back is to where half court and the sideline his back to baseline, bringing the ball
meet (the exact opposite angle of what we handler to the baseline as well), we obvi-
want!). In this situation, the angle the big ously want the screener to have his back
man takes invites the under, which cannot flat to the baseline, no exceptions. The
happen. When the big man setting the pick- key here is to make sure the "hat" picks
and-roll starts high, he cannot take a are set slightly more towards the middle
straight line path to the ball. He must take of the floor than a traditional side pick.
his path towards the rim and then veer out D.4 Since you are bringing the ball handler to
to set the screen at an acceptable angle. the baseline, it simply gives him more
We tell our big men to "circle under the ball" room, if the screen is set more towards
in this situation. All this means is they must the middle of the floor. With this, we just
get even or below the ball, before they tell our players we want them to "stay"
break off their route and go set the side off” the sideline, when setting "hat" picks.
pick-and-roll. Against the team that you
know they will go over, chest to the sideline TEACHING THE PICK-AND-ROLL
is ideal. When teams are going under I would estimate that 75% of the basket-
against you, I teach setting the screen in the ball played in the NBA involves some
same spot, but adjusting the angle such that sort of pick-and-roll action.
the center's back is facing more towards So, I like teaching it, drilling it, and rein-
the opposite corner, as opposed to the side- forcing what we want out of our ball han-
line, forcing them over the top. D.5 dlers (and the big men) a lot in practice. If
it's occurs, 75% of the time we have the
When setting a "hat" pick (a side pick, but ball, we should spend a lot of our practice
instead of having the screener with his time perfecting it! The most important
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D.9

D.10

thing I want our guards to understand are would be a scary combination.

our reads on how the defense is playing
us. The pick-and-roll is very much a mental What happens though when we concen-
exercise. Many players are able to get trate solely on our "reads" (how the
away without having a great understand- defense is playing us) is that we lose track
ing of concepts, because of their amazing of the minor points of pick-and-roll. I
athletic ability. remind our players of the "3 S's." Stay
If you can combine that with a basic "square" (staying square as opposed to D.11
understanding of how you want to attack, backing our defending down), "setups"
as a result of how they are playing you, it (fake one way to come off another), and

D.12

"shoulders" (come off shoulder to shoul-

der with the screener). I spend most of my
time reinforcing the reads, but I cannot
allow the players to slack on these 3 "S's,"
especially the setups. They more often
than anything else determine whether or
not our guards are coming off "clean" or
"dirty.

I have found that a routine works best

when working on our pick-and rolls. For
example, when working on side pick-and-
roll reads, we go through the same reads
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FIBA EUROPE
COACHES - FUNDAMENTALS AND YOUTH BASKETBALL

in the same order, with the same verbal

commands each day. Our first read is ver-
sus "short show." When I say "short show",
our players immediately understand that
they must attack the big man, turn hard the
corner with two dribbles, and get to the
elbow of the free-throw area for a pull up
jumper. I do not take time to explain every
read. The first few weeks I do, because that
is our time to implement our entire pick-
and-roll philosophy. But, once they know
what we want to get done, the commands
become shorter, so that we can get more
work done with less talk. Because we do
the same reads in the same order everyday,
it becomes a habit. I will reinforce having
"good setups" or certain key points, but I
keep the verbal commands to a minimum
and I keep them consistent. Same reads,
same order, same terminology every day.
The simple commands I give to the players
are in quotes. All I say is what's in the
parentheses and they know what to do. I
believe there must be defense in the drill. It
is not enough to come off a coach, who is
setting a screen and just to know that a
defender hard showed, or went under. They
have to see and feel it. We will have nor-
mally one coach involved in the drill or two
coaches on the "red" situation on the high
pick-and-roll. The following is the order of
the reads we work.

READS ON THE HIGH PICK-AND-ROLL

1. "Soft Show." When the ball handler
sees that the screener's defender
makes a soft show (when he makes a
short and not aggressive step out) and
his defender goes over the screen, this
means that the screener's defender
must totally contain him with his show.
He must attack his shoulder, like a
"snowball rolling out a mountain," with
a minimum of two dribbles (diagr. 1).
2. "Hard Show (and Over)." To contain the
ball handler, the big man's defender
must show hard and lose contact with
the screener. Any time the dribbler
sees a "daylight, he takes it," looking to
split the screen. The ability to consis-
tently split the pick-and-rolls separates
good from great pick-and-roll players.
The ball handler throws the ball out in
front of him and through the open
space, and explodes through the tiny
space to get a shot in the lane (diagr. 2).
3. "Red-Quick Change." When the two
defenders show hard early, almost
trapping (we call "red") the ball han-
dler, as he gets at the level of the
screen (the screener's defender is
showing out hard and the ball han-
dler's defender is running over the top
of the screen), can make a quick

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change of direction and a spin dribble even for a short period of time, the
to go away from the show, and drives guard with a big man. The ball handler
to the rim. The ball handler's defender drives the ball hard at the outside
will have a hard time stopping his shoulder of the screener's defender,
momentum, changing direction, and getting him to slide, and then he spins
containing the dribble. back to the middle of the lane for a lay
4. "Bingo." When the ball handler's up (diagr. 6).
defender finds out that the screen is 9. "Flat Angle." The screen must be set as
coming, he tries to force the dribbler to high as possible, out of the three-point
the screen. When he does this, he line, to give the ball handler more room
becomes vulnerable to the "Bingo", it to move with the ball. The dribbler must D.13
means to be beaten away from the be in a straight line with the screener,
screen. The ball handler sets up his because if he is off to one side of the
defender, as he was going to use the court, the screener's defender can
screen, and get to the middle, then he show out and help on that side. The drib-
beats him to the baseline. The one bler must force his defender to lean on
caveat with going "bingo" is that if he one side, and then make a cross-over
does so, he must be able to get his own dribble to change the side and attack
good shot, because there are very few the basket. Even if the defender tries to
other options as a result of his spacing force the ball handler on one side (we
(diagr. 3). call this defensive strategy "blue"), he
5. "Under-Footrace." Whether the screen- will move on to that side, then spinning
er's defender shows or not, if the ball back off the pick (diagr. 7).
handler's defender goes under the 10. "Blue-In & Out." When the defender D.14
screen, he will be unable to gather and tries to force the ball handler to a cer-
contain the ball handler on the other tain side of the court (usually on the
side of the screen. So, if the ball handler weak hand of the dribbler), often times
attacks hard the rim, there is nothing his the screener's defender is loose, far
defender can do to stop him. He can try from the dribbler. The dribbler will fake
to contain him on the other side of the a drive between the two defenders,
screen, but he will not be able to get and then he will go to the middle with a
back in front of him and control his pen- hard in-and-out dribble, attacking the
etration. It is a footrace to the rim. The outside shoulder of the screener's
ball handler must attack the rim with the defender and turning the corner,
maximum intensity, with no more than because the dribbler's defender will
two dribbles (diagr. 4). A stop and shot not be able to defend or contain the
behind the screen is always an option in dribble (diagr. 8). D.15
this type of action, but we only mention 11. "Blue-Split." When the defenders tries
this option to our players, without using to force the ball handler on a certain
it in the drills, because we want them to side of the court (usually on the weak
attack the rim. hand of the dribbler), often times the
6. "Under-Rescreen.” The screener's screener's defender is loose. The ball
defender shows out and the ball han- handler must attack the outside shoul-
dler's defender goes under the screen. der of the screener's defender to get
In this case, the ball handler takes one him leaning, then he makes a cross-
hard dribble, coming off the screen, over dribble back to the middle, split
and automatically the screener him and get to the rim. The ball han-
rescreens the ball handler's defender, dler's defender will not be in a stance
who went under the screen. The ball to guard him or contain his drive to the D.16
handler makes a cross-over dribble basket (diagr. 9).
back to the outside. The screener's 12. "Blue-Spin, Still Get Middle." If the
defender will not be in a position to defenders try to force the ball handler early, before the screener's
show, and the ball handler will be able on a certain side of the court - with the defender is in position. The ball
to turn the corner and drive to the bas- screener's defender at the same handler simply attacks the basket.
ket (diagr. 5). height of the screen - then that means His defender is not on the position
7. "Under-Change Direction." The defen- there is no help on the opposite direc- to contain the dribble, and the ball
sive situation is the same of "show and tion. The ball handler makes one drib- handler will run past the screener
under". The ball handler uses the ble going to the screener's defender defender, who will be going in the
screen, but, as soon as he comes off, and then makes a spin back dribble to opposite direction (diagr. 11).
he quickly changes the direction. He the middle and get and over the top of 14. "Switch." Any time the defenders
must attack his defender, who is either the screen (diagr. 10). switch on the pick-and-roll, we
loose or on his heels. 13. "Blue-Go Early." Same defensive situ- want that the ball handler attacks
8. "Loose & Over-Attack the Big." The ation, but many times the ball han- the screener's defender off the
defense must pay the choice to guard, dler's defender changes its stance too dribble. We don't want to give the
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FIBA EUROPE
COACHES - FUNDAMENTALS AND YOUTH BASKETBALL

ball to the screener posting up a small- ball handler reads the "show and
er defender down in a wrestling match. under", he uses the screen, but, as he
As the ball handler comes off the comes off, he quickly changes direc-
screen and there is a switch, the tion and attacks his defender, who is
screener rolls into the post for creating either loose or on his heels.
space, while the ball handler takes his 6. "Blue-Crossover & Split." If the
time, dribbles back outside the three- screener sets a "hat" pick, a pick with
point line and then plays one-on-one his back to the baseline, the ball han-
with the screener's defender to finish dler will attack the screener's
with a lay-up, not with a jump shot defender, creating a one-on-one sit-
(diagr. 12). uation. He will attack his outside D.17
shoulder, getting him leaning or slid-
READS FOR THE SIDE PICK-AND-ROLL ing to the baseline, and then he will
1. "Soft Show." When the ball handler crossover/quick spin back to the
sees that the screener's defender middle and get to the rim, because
makes a soft exit and his defender the screener's defender cannot slide
goes over the top of the screen, he with him. (diagr. 17).
must attack the outside shoulder of the 7. "Blue- In & Out to the Outside." Same
screener's defender, like a "snowball "hat" pick. The ball handler will attack
rolling down a mountain" with a mini- the screener's defender outside
mum of two hard dribbles (diagr. 13). shoulder, with an in-and-out dribble,
2. "Hard Show." To contain the ball han- drives to the baseline and shots in
dler the screener's defender shows out the lane (diagr. 18). D.18
hard and loses contact with the screen- 8. "Blue-Pocket Jumper." Same "hat"
er. Anytime the dribbler "sees daylight, pick. The ball handler takes one/two
he takes it." He throws the ball out in hard dribbles right at the screener's
front of him and through the open space defender, and finds that pocket of
and explodes through the tiny space to space, where he can get a jump shot
get a shot in the lane (diagr. 14). (diagr. 19).
3. "Bingo." Many times, when the drib- 9. "Blue-Still Get Middle." Even if the
bler's defender sees that the screen is defense tries to force the ball handler
coming, he tries to get into the ball han- to the baseline, it doesn't mean that he
dler and forces him into the pick. When cannot try to drive to middle. Often the
it does this, he becomes himself vulner- defender will allow a penetration in
able to the "Bingo." The ball handler the middle. The ball handler dribbles
sets up his defender as if he was going to the baseline, and then spins back to
D.19
to use the screen and get to the middle, the middle, attacking his defender on
and then he beats him to the baseline. the outside shoulder (diagr. 20).
The one caveat with this solution is that 10. "Blue, Pop, Backdoor." On this option
the ball handler must be able to get his the ball handler can pass to the
own good shot, because there are very screener, who, after bringing the
few other options as a result of his screen, has rolled out. When the ball
spacing (diagr. 15). handler sees that his defender
4. "Under-Footrace." Whether the screen- comes out to guard him, but in a hard
er's defender shows or not, if the ball no middle stance, as soon as he
handler's defender goes under the passes the ball to the screener, he
screen, he will be unable to gather and will make a quick back-door cut to
contain the ball handler on the other receive the ball for a lay-up. His
side of the screen. So, if the ball han- defender will be out of position to
dler attacks hard the rim, there is noth- cover his cut (diagr. 21). D.20
ing his defender can do to stop him. He 11. "Blue, Pass & Follow Get." The ball
can try to contain him on the other side handler passes the ball to the screen-
of the screen, but he will not be able to er who, after the screen, has rolled defender and we don't want him to
get back in front of him and control his out. As the screener receives the ball, pass the ball to the screener in
penetration. It is a footrace to the rim. he will dribble at the guard to set a low-post. As the dribbler comes off
The ball handler must attack the rim dribble screen on the ball handler's the screen and the defense has
with the maximum intensity, with no defender. The ball handler will drive switched, the screener must roll to
more than two dribbles. A stop and shot and turn the corner. There will be no the post for spacing (not for receiv-
behind the screen is always an option help by the screener's defender, ing the ball. The ball handler should
in this type of action, but we only men- because he is down too far to give take his time and back his dribble
tion this option to our players, without any help on the drive (diagr. 22). outside the three-point line, then
using it in the drills, because we want 12. "Switch, Drive the Big." Anytime go one-on-one against the screen-
them to attack the rim (diagr. 16). the defenders switch, we want the er's defender, going to the rim, not
5. "Under-Change Direction." Once the ball handler attacks the screener's making a jump shot (diagr. 23).
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D.21

D.22 D.23

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FIBA EUROPE
COACHES - OFFENSE

ARGENTINA'S
by Sergio Hernandez

OFFENSIVE
SYSTEM
Sergio Hernandez coached the the full court to the half court offense.
Argentinean National Basketball League The guard without the ball and the small
clubs Deportivo Roca Rio Negro, forward sprinted the floor wide and deep
Regatas San Nicolas, and Estudiantes on the outside lanes, looking to get
Olivarria, where he won two titles, one ahead of the defense. We were able to
FIBA Pan-American Championship, and get the offense flowing into offensive
one South American League for clubs. transition with the aim of playing a "high-
He then moved to Boca Juniors, winning low game" between 4 and 5. Getting the
one title and one South American ball inside was a priority.
Championship title for clubs. He was
also selected Argentinean Coach of the On-ball screens (pick-and-roll) were
Year three times. In 2005, he started to used in full court transition and the trail-
coach the men's national team, finishing er 5 screened down for the wings, who
in fourth place at the 2006 FIBA World often changed sides in "crossing" cuts.
Championships. We often started the half-court offense
with a high-low post set, or “horns” set.
OVERALL OFFENSE
We tried to flow into offense very quick- I will now describe some of the various
ly every time. We were also able to slow plays designed to meet the specific
the tempo, based on the situation on the roles for our players.
court. Both guards were able to alter-
nate moving the ball on offense, while THE PLAYERS
the power forward or the center were in
charge of inbounding the ball. GUARDS
The big man, who was not the inbound- All guards were excellent ballhandlers.
er, sprinted down the middle of the floor Their main attacking moves were the
to take position close to the basket. The hesitation, crossover, and change-of-
inbounder trailed behind his other four pace dribble.
teammates.
Each player could shoot well from the
We showed a very good transition from perimeter and were able to effectively

D.1 D.2

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D.3

D.4

D.5

D.6

D.7

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FIBA EUROPE
COACHES - OFFENSE

use the dribble penetration to get to the

basket. Their ability to pass off the dribble
MAN-TO-MAN OFFENSE
was outstanding. PLAY FOR 5 OBERTO
The set is a one-four formation on the
They were also very good at taking, and free-throw line extension, with 4 and 5
making, a "pull-up" jump shot, as well as at the elbows of the free-throw line, 2
driving hard to the basket and finishing it and 3 at the wings, and 1, with the ball,
off "in traffic" with a layup. In short, they in the middle of the court. 1 passes to 3
were excellent at reading the defense while 4 screens for 5, who goes to the
and knowing when to change the tempo low post on the other side of the court
of the play. (diagr. 8). D.10

FORWARDS After the pass, 1 cuts in the lane and

The forwards were very athletic and ran goes off 5 on the other wing position. 4
the floor with great understanding of then screens for 2, who cuts in the lane
space and positioning. Each player and looks to receive the ball from 3
passed the ball well in the half court and (diagr. 9). 4, after the screen, pops out,
possessed an excellent ability to pass the receives the ball from 3, and 3 screens
ball to the open player, either inside or down for 2. 4 can pass to 2 (diagr. 10).
outside. The forwards had good range on
their perimeter shots with the "catch and If 4 cannot pass to 2, he passes the ball
shoot" and pull-up jump shot. In addition, to 1, and goes in the low-post position.
they had the skill, quickness, and strength In the meantime, 3, after the screen,
to play inside and outside. cuts in the lane and goes off the screen D.11
of 5. 1 passes to 3 and 3 passes to 5 on
CENTERS the low post (diagr. 11).
Outstanding rebounders under the offen-
sive and defensive boards, our centers PLAYS FOR 4 SCOLA
also had good medium-range jump shots 4, Luis Scola, the power forward, and 5
and very effective moves inside. The jump set up high and low. 3 is in the corner, 2
hook was a favorite. In addition, they shot at the foul-line extension, and 1 is the
well from the low- and high-post position ball handler (diagr. 12). 1 passes to 2, 2
and passed well to teammates cutting to passes back to 1, and then cuts off 4's
the basket from the perimeter. screen (diagr. 13). 1 passes to 2, 4 now
TRANSITION OFFENSE sets an on-ball screen for 2, who then
dribbles off 4. After the screen, 4 rolls to
D.12
the basket and receives a pass from 2: if
PLAYS FOR 5 OBERTO he cannot shoot, he passes to 5 if 5's
5, Fabricio Oberto, the center, sets an on-
ball screen for 1, while 4, the first trailer,
cuts to the low-post position (diagr. 1). 1
dribbles off the 5's screen, who then rolls
to the basket to receive the ball and shoot
(diagr. 2).

If 5 is the first trailer and goes deep in the

lane under the basket, 4 plays pick-and-
roll on the ball for 1, and then 4 rolls to the
free-throw area (diagr. 3). 1 dribbles
toward the opposite wing 2, who cuts to D.8 D.13
the baseline (diagr. 4).

2 receives the ball from 1 on the low post

and passes it to 5 for the shot (diagr. 5).

If 4 is the first trailer, he cuts in the lane to

the opposite corner, while 5 delays his cut
for a moment, and then goes deep in the
lane under the rim.
1 is the ball handler on the left side of the
court, in this case (diagr. 6). 1 passes to 3
and 3 passes to 5, who has sealed his
defender in the lane, so he can now take D.9 D.14
the shot (diagr. 7).

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D.15 D.20

D.16 D.21

D.17 D.22

D.18 D.23

defender comes out to help. (diagr. 14).

5 and 4 are set at the high-post position,
at the elbows of the free-throw area, 2
and 3 are in the corners, and 1 has the
ball in the middle of the floor. 1 passes to
4 and cuts off 5's screen (diagr. 15). 4
passes back to 1, receives a diagonal
screen from 3, cuts off 3's screen, and
goes on the low post position (diagr. 16).

D.19 5 sets a down screen (screen-the-screen- D.24

er action) for 3, who cuts high (diagr. 17). 4

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COACHES - OFFENSE

sets an on-ball screen for 1, rolls to bas-

ket, and receives the ball from 1, while 5
pops out to clear the lane (diagr. 18).

PLAY FOR 3 NOCIONI

5 is set at the elbow of the free-throw
area, 4 at the low post on the opposite
side, 2 and 3 (Andres Nocioni) are on the
wings, and 1 has the ball. 1 passes to 5,
follows the pass and receives the ball
back with a hand-off pass, while 2 cuts in D.25
the lane.
At the same time, 4 steps out and screens
for 3, who goes out on the other side of
the court (diagr. 19). 4 and 5 set a stag-
gered screen for 2, who comes out in the
middle of the court (diagr. 20). After the
screen for 3, 4 flares out in the wing posi-
tion, while 5 screens again for 3. 2
receives the ball from 1, and passes to 3
(diagr. 21).

PLAYS FOR 2 GINOBILI OR 3 NOCIONI

Using the same set as the previous one, D.26
except that after the pass from 1 to 5,
and the hand-off pass from 5 to 1, 3
crosses in the lane and goes to the oppo-
site side of the court. At the same time, 2
(Manu Ginobili) cuts in the lane (diagr.
22). Right after the hand-off pass, 5
makes a staggered screen with 4 for 2. 1
can now pass to 3 or else to 2, who
comes off the staggered screen (diagr.
23).
4 and 5 are set at the elbows of the free-
throw area, 2 and 3 at the corners, and
1 is the ball handler. 1 passes to 5, fol- D.27
lows the pass and receives the ball
back with a hand-off pass.
At the same time, 4 steps out and down-
screens for 3, who cuts in the lane and
posts down, while 2 cuts also in the lane
on the baseline (diagr. 24).

4 and 5 set a staggered screen on 2,

who comes off high. 1 can pass to him
(diagr. 25). After the screen, 5 pops out
of the lane and 4 makes another screen
for 3, who comes high and receives the D.28
ball from 2 (diagr. 26).

OUT-OF-BOUNDS
BASELINE OUT-OF-BOUNDS
This play is run for Ginobili, who is the
inbounder. 5 is under the rim, 1 in the
low post on the ball side with 3, while 4
is out of the three-point line. 3 screens
for 1, who runs out off the screen on the
ball side (diagr. 27).

2 passes the ball to 1 and 1 passes to 4, D.29

while 5 screens for 3 (diagr. 28).
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D.30

D.31

D.32

After the pass to 1, 2 enters the court and

screens for 5, who then posts down low,
and 4 passes to 3 (diagr. 29).

4 down screens for 2 (screen-the-

screener action), who runs out high and
receives from 3 (diagr. 30).

SIDELINE OUT-OF-BOUNDS
1 is on the free-throw line extension, 5
and 4 at the elbows of the free-throw
area, 3 faces 4 outside of the three-point
line, and 2 is the inbounder. 5 steps out
and screens 1, and then rolls down to the
low post on the same side of the court. In
the meantime, 3 cuts off the screen of 4
and posts down on the ball side (diagr.
31).
After the inbound pass, 2 moves off the
screens of 3 and 5, while 4 screens down 3
(screen-the-screener action). 3 runs high
to receive the ball from 1, who can also
pass the ball to 2 (diagr. 32).

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FIBA EUROPE
COACHES - OFFENSE

THE SHUFFLE OFFENSE

by Lindsay Gaze

After an excellent career as a profes-

sional player (he played at three edition
of the Olympic Games and at two FIBA
World Championships in the '60s),
Lindsay Gaze has coached the Australian
national team in four consecutive edi-
tions of the Olympic Games (1972, 1976,
1980 and 1984) and of three FIBA World
Championships (1974, 1978 and 1982). In
1985, he became head coach of the
Melbourne Tigers, where he stayed until
2005, winning two Australian title and
three titles of "Coach of the Year".

I had the chance to meet outstanding

coaches, who have influenced my philoso-
phy of the game and coaching methods.
One of the most significant pieces of ad-
vice was to select a style of play, learn
from others, who have similar points of
view and stick with it.

When I took over coaching the Mel-

bourne Tigers I adopted similar methods,
although many refinements have been
made as the skills and athleticism of play-
ers have developed incredibly since then.

The national teams I coached used the

same methods as my club teams, but in
each case the points of emphasis would
vary depending on the talent available.

The Melbourne Tigers shuffle offense re-

quires every player to be capable of play-
ing every position and it is not unusual for
the power forwards and centers to be
playing the same roles usually reserved
for guards. It has been argued that moving
the big players away from the basket re-
duces their rebounding potential and high
percentage scoring opportunities, but
equally it can create problems for oppo-
nents, who, in many cases, is unfamiliar
with defending on the perimeter. Similarly
developing our guards to be effective
post-up players provides numerous op-
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D.1 D.4 D.7

D.2 D.5 D.8

D.3 D.6 D.9

portunities to exploit miss-matches. posed to just about every variety of de-

fense imaginable. The defensive meth-
One of the most important reasons why ods have varied from the standard 2-3
we used a "shuffle" offense is due to the zones to the less conventional box-and-
fact that in our national league and inter- one, or triangle-and-two, alternating
nationally we have always given away from man-to-man to zone etc. The great
size and height advantage to our oppo- benefit of what we do is we are able to
nents. If we were to play them at their use the same basic principles of our of-
own game we would be doomed to fail- fense, with only slight adjustments to
ure. It has only been in recent years that timing and cuts, regardless of the defen-
our national team has developed enough sive methods.
big men like Luc Longley, Mark Bradtke,
Chris Anstey and a new generation, like BASIC 3RD OPTION
David Andersen, Andrew Bogut and our The basic positions for all players are
2003 World Junior champions, that we very important. Variation to positions will
are starting to get on even terms. affect options that should be included to
counter defensive over-plays (diagr. 1).
When a club, or national team, uses the
same methods for their offensive struc- ▼ 1 is the "feeder". He sets up with the
ture for many years and you teach your inside foot close to the three point
methods at camps and clinics, it is in- line at the free-throw line extended.
evitable that opposing coaches will re-
fine their defensive methods and apply ▼ 2 is the guard and takes up a position
different strategies to counter your play. straight in line with the basket.

This has always been a learning process ▼ 3 is the "first cutter", usually the play-
and as a result our club has been ex- making guard capable of posting up.
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FIBA EUROPE
COACHES - OFFENSE

His starting position is in line with the pass to 3, 5 screens second cutter 4 to
post and the basket. prevent 4's man from fighting over the top.
2 sets effective double screen and aims to
▼ 4 is the "second cutter", usually a prevent 4's defender to slide through un-
strong perimeter shooter capable of derneath. 4 has opportunity to receive pass
making a strong drive and jump shot off for a jump shot around the free throw line,
the dribble. or to set up a high post target (diagr. 2).
If the feeder passes the ball to 3 in the cor-
▼ 5 is the "post man", a good screener ner, 4 slides down to the low-post position
and "post target." for a possible pass and subsequent scor-
D.10
ing options (diagr. 3).
3 passes to 2 and sets up his opponent for
a cut off 5. Note: whenever a pass is made to a high
post or low post position, the player in the
Note: it is important that 3 does not cut un- 2 spot and the weak-side wing make cuts
til the pass is in motion to, or has been re- for scoring options (diagr. 4).
ceived by the feeder.
If the feeder does not make a penetrating
1 may feed 3 if open on the cut (early) or in pass, the players adjust to the basic posi-
the low post, or in the corner. If he doesn't tions on the right side of the floor and the
same options can be repeated with 1 be-
coming the new 3 man (first cutter), 3 be- D.11
comes the new 4 man (second cutter), 4
becomes the post and 2 becomes the
feeder. 5 becomes the 2 man (diagr. 5).

FIRST OPTION
Players set up in the same positions as for
a regular third option shuffle cut. 3 has the
choice of passing to 2, which will signal a
third option, but may choose to pass to 4,
which signals a first option.

Note: In all cases the post will pivot on the D.12

foot closest to the direction of the first
pass and will screen with his back to the
cutter.

3 cuts using the screen set by 5 and looks

to receive a return pass from 4 (and possi-
ble scoring option).
If he doesn't pass to 3, 5 sets inside screen
for 4, who looks to make penetrating drive
and possible jump shot around free-throw
line, or screen-and-roll pass to 5 (diagr. 6).
D.13
If 4 does not shoot or pass to 5, he passes
to 3, who has come off double screen set
by 2 and 1. 3 may take short jump shot or
look to 5 who comes off screen set by 2
(diagr. 7).

Note: 2 should stay on double screen until

pass is in motion to 3, and then he crosses
lane to set screen for 5. 5 must wait for
screen to arrive before making a cut oth-
erwise opposing defensive players can D.14
"zone" the inside area and make good
scoring options more difficult. While 2 is
setting screen for 5, 1 presents a low post
target moving out just far enough from the
key to force the defense to respect him. If
1 steps out too far, the defense may

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choose to ignore him and concentrate on lane. 2 may have a jump shot or he may
clogging the middle to defend 5. look to 4 now after 4 has cut around
screen set by 5 (diagr. 14).
3 may pass to 5 in low post or 1, who may
have a short jump shot, as his man tends to If 2 does not have shot or pass to 4, he
help the post defender. However, 1 may looks to 5, who has held his ground after
feed post as well. 3 may also feed 2 coming the drive of 2. 5 makes a bounce drive for
off screen set by 4 (diagr. 8). possible jump shot, but more likely to pass
to 3, who is coming off a screen set by 1.
If 3 does not feed anyone, he balances the
D.15
ball to the basic position and may choose Note: an important rule for 3 is to wait on
to run a third option, or pass to 1, which the screen until the ball gets to the middle
will signal another first option on right side of the free-throw line. This might be by
(diagr. 9). way of a drive from 4 or from 5. The timing
is critical, as there is no point for setting
REVERSE free 3 if the pass is not yet available (diagr.
When the feeder is overplayed, he may 15).
choose to run a back-door cut.
Alternatively, if 4 is overplayed, he may
Note: this is the reason 3 should not be choose to make a back-door cut for possi-
cutting, until the pass is on the way to the ble pass from 2. If 2 does not make the
feeder. We do not want 3 and 1 to be cut- pass to 4 on the back-door cut, he contin- D.16
ting to the same area of the court at the ues his drive for jump shot options or the
same time. same continuity as described above (dia-
gr. 16).
If the back-door cut is not on, then 2 looks
back to 3. This signals 3 to now make his Note: the options described here are use-
cut (or look for kick back options, described ful when aiming to establish early jump
later) 2 then concentrates on the 4 man's shot opportunities or post up options for
defensive opponent and starts a hard drive either guard.
off the post screen set by 5. 2 aims to give 4
a hand-off pass and continues his cut KICKBACKS
around screen set by 1. After 4 receives the When the first cutter's defender "cheats"
hand-off he may have jump shot option or a to clog the lane, 3 may elect to call for a D.17
pass back to 2 (diagr. 10). "kickback" for potential shot aided by a
screen set by 5. 5's opponenet may try to
If there is no shot or pass to 2, then 4 passes help to prevent, or block the shot and
to 3, who comes off screen set by 1. therefore 5 rolls to the basket on all kick-
back options (diagr. 17).
Note: all of this action is similar to a regu-
lar first option, except the play is started If 3 does not shoot or pass to 5, he hands-
with a drive to 4, instead of a pass, and 3 is off to 4 and thus effectively generates
coming off a single screen instead of a another variation of a first option. 4
double screen. After 4 has made his drive drives off a screen set by 3 and if he
5 rolls to low post area on the left and doesn't shoot or pass back to 3 on the roll
D.18
waits for screen set by 1 (diagr. 11). off, he passes to 1 stepping out off
screen set by 2. 5 always continues his
If 3 does not have a shot opportunity, he roll to the low post on the right side. If 1
looks for 5 coming off the screen by 1, or a does not have shot, he looks to 3 coming
pass to 2 in medium low post area, or re- off screen set by 2 or looks to five in
sets the offense to run any of the options medium low post position (diagr. 18).
from the right side (diagr. 12).
If there are no scoring options taken, 1
Variation: 3 may run a curl cut off 1 for pos- balances to new three spot on right side
sible jump shot, or continue to set screen and prepares to run a regular third option
for 5. 1 steps back after screening 3 and if or first option (diagr. 19).
he receives pass from 4 will feed 5 or take D.19
possible jump shot (diagr. 13). The same rules apply if a kickback is run
off a first option. 5 must roll on the pass
REVERSE - VARIATIONS back to 3. 3 may choose to feed 5 or to
If 4 is overplayed, 2 should not force the hand off to 4 or take a one bounce drive to
hand-off. 4 may just hold his position tem- the middle of the key and pass to 1.
porarily allowing 2 to continue his drive to
about the level of the hash marks along the After 4 passes to 3, he waits just a moment
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COACHES - OFFENSE

to assess 3's decision. If 3 drives to the the first cutter and 3 as the second cutter.
middle, then 4 cuts to the baseline and If 5 passes to the left side, it will generate
waits for screen set by 2 (diagr. 20). a first option with 4 as the cutter and 3 as
the driver (diagr. 22).
INVERSION
When both forwards are being over Note: as 3 is now in a much lower position
played guards look to post 5, who steps than normal for the second cutter of a
out to top of lane (or as far as necessary third option, the options vary slightly. 3 is
to release the pressure). Guards and for- told to wait low for the double screen set
wards invert (diagr. 21). by 5 and 1. 3 looks for jump shot opportuni-
ty and if no pass balances to new 2 spot. D.20
Sometimes cheap scoring options on a
hand-off or bounce pass, or late back-door Usually, because of the attention given to
cut on feeds from 5 are available. 3, 5 becomes the next target as he will
curl back inside after 3 cuts off his screen
The guard, who makes the first pass, is the and presents a good option inside. 1 will
designated back-door cutter (we don't balance to new feeder spot on left side.
want both guards to clutter the low post
area). If 2 does not pass to anyone he balances
to run another regular third or first option
With no "sucker" plays, the rule is (diagr. 23).
"whichever side the post passes the ball D.21
dictates the option." If he passes to the If 5 passes to left side, it will lead to a first
right side it will be a third option with 4 as option. 4 cuts off the screen set by 5 and 5
will then screen for 3, for screen and roll
options or regular continuation if neces-
sary (diagr. 24).

What has been shown here was the basic

foundation for the Melbourne Tigers Shuf-
fle offense. There are many other options
included in our structure to deal with dif-
ferent types of defense, particularly pres-
sure defense.
D.22

Also transition options that allowed us to

exploit specific players and balance
quickly into out halfcourt game, if neces-
sary. The adjustment to the structure is
minimal for zone defenses, although the
timing of cuts and decisions for dribble
penetration are important.

We always try to remind our players that it

is not so much the structure, but how it is
executed and why priorities are given to D.23
certain elements that will govern success.
Trying to include too many options can
lead to confusion and poor execution,
while not having enough variety will invite
strong defensive pressure and unless
players are well prepared the structure
will quickly break down.

Our methods require all players to have

skills in every aspect of the game and it is
almost impossible to "hide" inferior talent.
D.24
It is not easy to teach and all players must
be committed to the team structure and the
team outcome. However, the satisfaction
the players get when everyone contributes
to team success is much more rewarding
and team morale usually remains high.

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FIBA EUROPE
COACHES - OFFENSE

PANATHINAIKOS'
by Zelimir Obradovic

Zelimir Obradovic is the winningest

OFFENSE
coach in Europe. He has won 6 Eu-
roleague (one with Partizan Bel-
grade, Yugoslavia, one with
Badalona and one with Real Madrid,
Spain, and three with Panathinaikos
Athens, Greece). He also won one
national and one Yugoslavian Cup
with Partizan, two Saporta Cups (Re-
al Madrid and Benetton Treviso,
Italy), six Greek titles, and four Greek
Cups with Panathinaikos. With the
Yugoslavian, and then the Serbian
National team, he won a silver medal
at the 1996 Olympic Games, one gold
medal and one bronze medal at the
FIBA European Championships, and
one gold medal at the FIBA World
Championships.

I would like to introduce my starting

five players, as well as thank our out-
standing reserve players, who helped
us to win the 2007 Euroleague.

This is how the players are numbered

on the diagrams:

1- Dimitris Diamantidis, point-guard.

2- Sani Becirovic, guard.
3- Ramunas Siskauskas, forward.
4- Mike Batiste, power forward.
5- Demos Dikoudis, center.

If we cannot run in transition, we set

up this half-court offense. I use this of-
fense with all my teams. It has a lot of
options for all the players and the play-
makers must be able to read the situa-
tion and run the different and simple
options.

The premise of this offense is to give

the ball to players, who are able to ef-
fectively play one-on-one.

We set with two players low and wide,

and two posts at the high post posi-
tion, where I need players, who are
able to score from the three-point line
and also read the defense. We start
the play with one of the high post play-
ers, 4 in this case, faking a cut to the
basket and then screening (diagr. 1).
PAGE 24 | 26 2007 | FIBA ASSIST MAGAZINE
26_024_026 30-05-2007 13:03 Pagina 25

D.1 D.2 D.3

Another way to start is to have the two posts the defender goes under the 5's screen, 3 will
cross and then screen (diagr. 2). In this offense 5, shoot. However, if the defender goes out aggres-
the center, is the player that I normally want in sively, 3 will drive to the basket.
the three-second lane and 4, the power forward,
usually a better shooter, who can pop out and ENTRY PASS
pick. This way, we create a three-on-three play, Let's now examine the situation in the case
where two players, 2 and 3, our good shooters, where 1 cannot start the entry pass to the wings
are in corners ready to shoot. On the screen for or the posts. Here are three different solutions.
the ball handler, there are three passing options
(diagr. 3). ▼ 1 cannot pass the ball to 2 on the wing be- D.4
cause 2 is aggressively overplayed. 5 can
If the ball is passed to 4 (which keeps the de- flash to the high post position at the corner
fense busy), we screen on the weak side for the of the free-throw area, and receive the ball
player in the corner (diagr. 4). from 1, while 2 makes a back-door cut and
can get the ball from 5 (diagr. 9).
1 passes to the guard 2, and then he receives a
back screen by 5. 1 cuts off 5 and goes to the low ▼ 1 can also pass to one of the posts, 5, in this
post position on the ball side after the pass, while case, cut around the other post 4, and re-
4 and 3 start to go in the lane (diagr. 5). ceive the ball from 5 since there is no help
on the other side (diagr. 10). When the de-
4 screens for 1, who cuts baseline on the other fense is punished a couple of times, in this
side of the court. 4 then receives a back screen way with two easy baskets, it will not be so D.5
by 3 (screen-the screener action), and goes aggressive anymore.
back on the other side of the court. 2 passes the
ball to 5 and follows the pass for a hand-off pass, ▼ If the ball cannot be passed to 5 at the high
and then he drives to the other side of the court post, and 2 is also overplayed, 1 dribbles to-
(diagr. 6). If 2 cannot pass to 5, 5 screens for 2 and wards 2, who starts to cut in the lane to re-
the play is run in the same way. ceive 4's screen (diagr. 11).
In these situations, the players must read what
2 can pass to 1 in the corner or to 4 in the low- happens on the court and react to the reaction
post position. If he passes the ball to 1, but 1 can- of the defense. I teach the guards that there
not shoot, he receives a side screen from 4, who should be no space between them and the de-
has popped out of the low-post position, and fenders while playing pick-and-roll. After a
cuts in the lane to get a pass from 1 (diagr. 7). screen and the defender pops out in front of the D.6
ball handler, the ball handler must take a step-
If, on the screen in the lane of 3 for 4 (see diagr. back dribble, a difficult, but important move,
6), 3's defender helps on 4, 3 then cuts high, re- and then, changing speed, drive to the basket.
ceives a screen from 5 and pops out to receive
for a two- or a three-point jump shot (diagr. 8). In Let's go back to the situation of 4, who is
this play we have set a pick on the player that screened by 3. If the defense reacts to 3's
screens the screener. screen and covers the cut back of 4, as de-
scribed in diagr. 6, 4 can make a fake to cut
A mistake that usually occurs in this play is that a back. He then goes high and runs off the screen
screener stays too long in the screen, pushing of 5 (diagr. 12).
the defender. This is oftentimes called for an of-
fensive foul. What needs to be done is to jump in At Panathinakos (and other teams I have
D.7
front of the defender. One of my rules is that the coached), I have many good shooters at the 4
player who screens the big man must be a and 5 position. Another important detail on the
shooter. After the screen, he is normally open for situation described is that when 3 sees 4, who
a shot and many of the best shooters of the rubs off 5's screen, he must roll quickly back to
teams I have coached have scored from this ac- the ball to receive it in the lane. However, if he
tion. I would like to underline that on this action, if receives the ball outside, 2, screens quickly for
FIBA ASSIST MAGAZINE | 26 2007 | PAGE 25
26_024_026 30-05-2007 13:03 Pagina 26

FIBA EUROPE
COACHES - OFFENSE

D.8 D.11 D.14

D.9 D.12 D.15

D.10 D.13 D.16

him right after the pass. the screen and receives the ball from 2
When 5 receives the ball on the low-post (diagr. 16).
position (diagr. 13), the other post, 4, goes to If the ball is not passed low to 5, but passed
the high post position on the other side of to 1, 4 fakes to cut in the lane and then runs
the court. He keeps moving in this area to high, screens for 1, and plays pick-and-roll
keep the defense busy, while 5 plays one- (diagr. 17). On the pick-and-roll, the ball
on-one in the low post. handler must be patient and read the de-
fense. In addition, the screener must react
After a hand off and the drive to the other to the reaction of his defender.
side of the court (see diagr. 7), the ball han- D.17
dler has three options: pass to the corner, On this play, there are many options that
pass inside the lane, or pass to the weak- your player can run. They have to be able to
side teammates, who have popped out of read and react to any defensive situation.
the post's screen (diagr. 14). As coach, it's your job to take care of every
option and the details that go with them.
Lets go back to the situation of diagr. 5. I will now describe this final option. The two
Another option, after the back screen of 5, posts, 4 and 5, set a double screen at the
is that 1 goes down to the low-post posi- free-throw area, with the ball in the hands
tion, 2 passes the ball to 5, who popped of 2. 1 screens for 3, who goes to the low
out after the screen, and then 1 runs out to post, and then 1 runs high off the double
back screen for 2. As soon as 4 sees this screen of 4 and 5.
screen, he down-screens for 3, who has Usually the defense on the double screen D.18
first made a strong fake as if he were go- stays high to the ball side to delay the pass
ing to move into the lane (diagr. 15). to the screened player. Therefore, in this
situation, 4 screens for 5, cuts in the lane
Another option is that 1, instead of back and 5 cuts off outside the lane (diagr. 18).
screening 2, pops out of the the low-post This option can only be run when there are
position, screens high for 5, who cuts off at least 16 seconds remaining on the clock.

PAGE 26 | 26 2007 | FIBA ASSIST MAGAZINE

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26_028 30-05-2007 10:04 Pagina 28

FIBA EUROPE
COACHES - HOOP MARKET

BILLY THE KID

by Raffaele Imbrogno
IS BACK (TO BACK)
Raffaele Imbrogno has been coaching since 1980. He is an In- In this section, we introduce the latest books, videos, CDs, and
structor for the Italian National Coaches Committee of the Fede- other tools that are primarily aimed at coaches, but certainly useful
ration and has been Director of the Italian Basketball Federation for all of our readers. Please send your suggestions and comments
Study Center. Imbrogno is also the author of several technical about our basketball-related media for review in this section.
basketball publications.
Florida to become the head coach of the University of Florida.
Billy Donovan has returned to the victor's podium with his Uni- I met Billy Donovan in the summer of 1997, in Newport, Rhode
versity of Florida Gators for the second time in a row at the Island, where the Boston Celtics were holding their training camp.
NCAA basketball championships in April. Billy the Kid, the head Rick Pitino had left the University of Kentucky to take the head coa-
coach, is only 41 years old. Don't be surprised, but he expects to ching job with the Boston Celtics. Seated at the table with me for
return again soon. lunch that afternoon was Donovan (who had arrived in a large car
Donovan has been around basketball all of his life, first as a high packed with all sorts of basketball gear and college scouting re-
school, college, and NBA player, and now as a head coach. Af- ports), Tubby Smith, who had just taken the Univeristy of Kentucky
ter having played for St. Agnes High School on Long Isaland, coaching job, Tim Welch, the coach of Providence College, and Piti-
Donovan accepted a basketball scholarship to attend Providen- no.
ce College in Providence, Rhode Island. His first two years at Donovan was one just "one of the guys." He was funny, lively, and
Providence were unremarkable. However, a new coach took ready to taunt his colleagues. But he clearly had ideas about ba-
over the program at the start of his third season, and Donovan's sketball and about the methods to teach it. He exchanged ideas on
basketball career, and his future, took a different turn. offensive and defensive strategies with these great basketball
Rick Pitino was named the new Providence College coach and minds, and he had a lot to say. I was very impressed with him.
he liked what he saw in the very active Donovan. At the end of Now Billy Donovan is at the top of the basketball mountain. He has
his third year, Billy the Kid was many more years of coaching ahead
averaging 15.5 points a game. of him and it will be interesting to see
The next year, with Donovan how many times he returns to the
scoring 20.6 points a game, the NCAA Final Four. Of course, there is a
team advanced to the NCAA Fi- chance he may leave the University
nal Four, Their dream ended of Florida and take a head coaching
there, with a semifinal loss to job in the NBA. But, like Coach Dean
Syracuse University, coached Smith, who spent his entire coaching
by Jim Boeheim. Still, Providen- career at the University of North Ca-
ce recorded a very respectable rolina, leading the Tar Heels to nume-
25-9 record for the year. rous NCAA titles, Billy may take that
Donovan spent the next year same route. I wish Billy the Kid the
with the New York Knicks. His best of luck. He is a great coach with
coach? Rick Pitino. He avera- an even greater future.
ged 2.4 points and 2 assists a
game. His career over with the In the meantime, Championship Pro-
Knicks after one year, Donovan ductions celebrates the back-to-
soon accepted a job as a vo- back NCAA championships of Billy
lunteer assistant coach at the Donovan and his University team by
University of Kentucky. His offering the following DVDs:
coach? Rick Pitino. Five years
later, Donovan left Kentucky, at Billy Donovan: The Unstoppable
the age of 28, to become the Transition Game.
head coach at Marshall Uni- Billy Donovan: Mastering the Full-
versity. Donovan was the Court Match-up zone.
youngest head coach ever in Billy Donovan: Individual Skill Deve-
college basketball history. lopment Within Your Offense.
In two seasons, Donovan's Billy Donovan: 10 Aggressive Transi-
teams won 35 and lost 20 ga- tion And Conditioning Drills.
mes, but he attracted the atten-
tion of many other universities. To order any of these DVDs, go to
In 1996, he left for Gainesville, www.championshipproductions.com
PAGE 28 | 26 2007 | FIBA ASSIST MAGAZINE
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(tel)‡(fax) 011.515.232.3739
26_030_033 30-05-2007 13:12 Pagina 30

REFEREES, SCORER’S TABLE AND COMMISSIONERS

LET THE RULES

by Peter Webb by Ray McClure
BE THE GUIDE

PAGE 30 | 26 2007 | FIBA ASSIST MAGAZINE

26_030_033 30-05-2007 13:12 Pagina 31

Peter Webb has been an IAABO (International

Association of Approved Basketball Officials) basketball
official for 44 years. Webb has officiated at the high
school level (28 years) and collegiate level (32 years). He
is a Past President of IAABO, has served as the Director
of IAABO Officals' Schools throughout the USA and
Germany. Webb just completed 16 years as the Maine
State Commissioner of Basketball. He is a member of the
State of Maine Sports Hall of Fame and was recently
selected as an inductee to the NFHS National Hall of
Fame.

Ray McClure has been officiating for more than 20 years,

beginning locally in the middle school, then has contin-
ued on through the high school ranks, college basketball
and ABA Pro basketball. He has developed the "Five-Star
Basketball Official's Program," which includes class-
room teaching, on the court training, with full rules and
mechanics knowledge.

In today's "basketball world," we find various "approaches,"

"guidelines" and "versions," by which officials are being
instructed to "call the game." Some have even gone so far
as to create their own "philosophy"...their own "unique way"
to "call the game."

One would like to hear the leaders instruct everyone to

"call the game by the rules". Instead...we hear officials
making statements like:
▼ "I wouldn't have called that."
▼ "I would have passed on that."
▼ "The game didn't need that call."
▼ "The game needed a foul called there."
▼ "If it's a foul on this end, let's make sure it's a foul on
the other end."
▼ "He's not bothering me while he's out of the coaching
box."
▼ "Let's make sure the fifth foul is a good one."
▼ "The coach is not going to like that."
▼ "Let's keep an eye on the foul counts."
And the justifying and rationalizing comments continue.

When leaders of organizations or individuals feel it neces-

sary to create their own "version" by which to "call the
game," one would have to question either their rules
knowledge or their willingness to abide by the rulebook
itself. Where are the instructions to simply "call the game
by the rules of the game"? Where are the instructions to
"care about the game" and "honour the codes" by which
the basketball official is to be measured?

All too often, instructors, interpreters and/or supervisors

teach that violations are to be called by the rules, but that
rulings concerning contact are to be a "personal" thing, or
an organization's "philosophical" approach. Is it any won-
der coaches often ask officials, "How are you calling
hand-checking tonight?" "How are you going to call over-
the-back?" "How are you calling 3-seconds?" But they
never find it necessary to ask, "How are you calling out-of-
bounds?"

The purpose here is to make it clear, just as various

rules bodies have done: "The rules pertaining to contact
are just as rules-based as those pertaining to viola-

FIBA ASSIST MAGAZINE | 26 2007 | PAGE 31

26_030_033 30-05-2007 13:12 Pagina 32

REFEREES, SCORER’S TABLE AND COMMISSIONERS

tions." They are very clear as to

what contact is illegal and what
contact is legal. Some may be
surprised to learn that legal con-
tact even has a name: "inciden-
tal" contact. Sometimes the most
severe contact in the game is
incidental, while at other times
the slightest touch is a foul ... by
rule!

THE RULES OF CONTACT

FOULS
A foul is defined in Article 32.1.2 as
"An infraction of the rules, con-
cerning illegal personal contact
with an opponent and/or
unsportsmanlike behaviour."
Officials can easily recognize
these infractions provided they
know the rules which pertain to
contact.

There are several types of fouls,

but all fouls are categorized as
either personal or technical. CONTACT BY THE DRIBBLER
▼ A personal foul is a player's contact foul with an The rules of contact apply to a dribbler in the same way as
opponent, whether the ball is live or dead. they apply to any other player. A dribbler is not permitted
▼ A technical fouls is a player's non-contact foul of a to:
behavioural nature, or a foul by a coach, assistant ▼ Charge into an opponent.
coach, substitute or team follower. ▼ Contact an opponent in his/her path.
▼ Attempt to dribble between an opponent and a
Incidental (legal) contact is permitted by rule and is boundary line, unless there is enough space to avoid
therefore not to be ruled as a foul. Please don't refer to it contact.
as "Common Sense Officiating"; it is "incidental contact", ▼ Attempt to dribble between two opponents, unless
and is covered in a rule. FIBA acknowledges an aware- there is enough space to avoid contact.
ness of the reality of incidental contact in Article 32.1.1:
"During a game in which ten (10) players are moving at CONTACT BY THE SCREENER
speed in a limited space, personal contact cannot be Likewise, the principles involving legal and illegal contact
avoided." As previously stated, it is possible that the also apply to a player, who is setting a screen. A player,
strong contact in a game could be ruled as incidental, who screens, shall not:
depending on the circumstances of that contact. ▼ Set a "blind screen" closer than one normal step.
▼ Make contact with the opponent when setting a
Included among examples of contact that would normally "visual screen".
be judged as "incidental" are situations such as: ▼ Set a screen so close to a moving opponent that the
moving opponent cannot stop or change directions.
▼ Unintentional contact in attempting to reach a loose ▼ Move to maintain a screen.
ball.
▼ Contact that occurs when opponents are in equally If a screener violates any of these provisions and contact
favorable positions to perform normal game move- occurs which is not incidental, he/she has committed a
ments. personal foul.
▼ Contact which does not hinder the opponent from
participating in normal game movements. CONTACT BY THE SCREENED PLAYER
▼ Contact which is created as a result of a "blind The following guidelines apply to a player who is being
screen", provided the contact doesn't cause travel- screened:
ing. ▼ A player, who is screened, with a "visual screen" is
expected to avoid contact.
Additional support that the rules of the game are well- ▼ A player, who is screened, with a "blind screen" is
written as they define and describe what is legal contact permitted to make inadvertent contact with the
and what is illegal contact, is documented in Articles 32 - screener. However, the screened player, upon con-
39. These articles provide a very detailed description of tact, is to stop or attempt to stop.
contact that is an infraction of the rules and therefore a ▼ The screened player is not permitted to force his/her
foul. way through a screen by using arm(s), hand(s), hip(s),

PAGE 32 | 26 2007 | FIBA ASSIST MAGAZINE

26_030_033 30-05-2007 13:12 Pagina 33

or shoulder(s), or by holding the screener and then block/charge contact situation, the covering official must
pushing the screener aside in order to maintain a ask, "Did the guard do anything wrong?" If not, then by rule
guarding position. the foul should not be charged to the defender.

GUARDING IS WELL-DOCUMENTED BY RULE CONCLUSION

In learning the principles and guidelines pertaining to con- Officials monitor the activities of everyone involved in the
tact, officials are required to also know the rules, which game and make rulings based on these activities. The
describe in detail what the defender and the offensive question is: "How can officials consistently make accurate
player are permitted to do during a guarding situation. rulings on rules they don't know?" Answer: They can't.
When officials apply these basic principles, their rulings
are not only consistent, but consistently correct. Every time contact occurs, the covering official makes a
decision. Sometimes that decision is accompanied by a
Four basic principles apply. whistle and sometimes it requires no whistle. This latter
1. "Guarding is the act of LEGALLY placing the body in the situation is incidental contact. Either way, with or without
path of an offensive opponent.." a whistle, the official has never the less made a ruling.
2. "There is no minimum distance required between the
guard and opponent.." This ruling can be (and must be) based on the rules of the
3. "Every player is entitled to a spot on the playing court, game. The official is not there to just "simply pass judg-
providing such player gets there first, without illegally ment," but to rule accurately. When officials know the
contacting an opponent." rules, accurate rulings will more often be the consistent
4. "A player who extends an arm, shoulder, hip or leg into end result.
the path of an opponent, is NOT considered to have a
legal position if contact occurs." Therefore, officials must know the rules and enforce
them, and refrain from any personal philosophies not
"ESTABLISHING" A LEGAL GUARDING POSITION substantiated by a rule. Everyone involved in the game
IS COVERED BY RULE must know that violations and contact rulings are all rule-
To establish an initial legal guarding position, the player based.
taking that position must be facing his/her opponent and
have both feet on the floor. This could occur "at the last When it comes to violations and contact rulings, call the
split second," before contact. The assumption is that the game by the rules.
guard got to that "spot" on the
court without fouling anyone in
order to get there.

MAINTAINING
A LEGAL GUARDING POSITION
IS COVERED BY RULE
The rules are very clear as to
what a guard is permitted to do
or not do after establishing the
legal guarding position. The
guard:
▼ May legally have one or
both feet on the court or in
the air when contact
occurs.
▼ Is not required to continue
facing the opponent.
▼ May move in any direction,
with one exception: he/she
cannot be moving toward
the opponent when contact
occurs.
▼ May turn or duck to absorb
the shock of imminent con-
tact.

Therefore, officials must know

that after establishing the
guarding position and while in
the maintaining mode, the
guard can do anything except
one: cause the contact. In each

FIBA ASSIST MAGAZINE | 26 2007 | PAGE 33

26_034 30-05-2007 10:07 Pagina 34

REFEREES AND GAME ADMINISTRATION

RIGHT OR WRONG?
The following questions focus on the document, “FIBA Official QUESTIONS
Basketball Rules: Official Interpretations”. A free download is 1. Captain A4 fouls B4. This is A4's 5th foul. A7 sub-
provided on the FIBA website (www.fiba.com). For additional cla- stitutes for A4. During the same game clock
rifications, explanations or examples, please consult this docu- stopped period, the coach of team A commits a
ment. disqualifying foul. There is no assistant coach
for team A entered on the score sheet. Shall A4
now take over the duties of coach for team A?
2. During the first period, the scorer erroneously
awards team B with two points scored by A3.
The error is discovered during the interval
between the first and second period. Shall the
score sheet be corrected at this time?
3. Team A scores a field goal, after which A4 in the
restricted area commits a foul. This is the third
player foul committed by team A in that period.
On the resulting throw-in, shall the thrower-in be
permitted to run along the end line before relea-
sing the throw-in?
4. A2 in the team A frontcourt attempts a pass to
A4. The ball touches an official and is deflected
into the team A backcourt where it is the con-
trolled by A4. Has a violation occurred for ille-
gally returning to the backcourt?
5. An alternating possession throw-in is awarded
to A3 at a sideline in team A's frontcourt. Shall
A3 be permitted to pass the ball to a team-mate
who is in team A's backcourt?
6. With team A in control of the ball and ten
seconds remaining in the 24-second period, play
is interrupted because of a fighting situation.
Play resumes with a team A throw-in. Shall team
A have only ten seconds remaining in the 24-
second period?
7. A team A player mistakenly scores a field goal in
his own basket. Shall two points be awarded to
the captain of team B?
8. During A4's unsuccessful attempt to dunk the
ball, the ball rebounds from the basket ring, after
which the 24-second signal sounds in error. Is
this a jump ball situation?
9. In all alternating possession throw-ins, shall it
be always the referee, who administers the
throw-ins?
10. While team A is in control of the ball, B3 fouls
A3. The B3 foul is the second team B player foul
in that period. A2 and B2 then commit a double
foul. Is this a jump ball situation?

ANSWERS
1. Yes. 6. Yes.
2. Yes. 7. Yes.
3. No. 8. No.
4. Yes. 9. No.
5. No. 10. No.

PAGE 34 | 26 2007 | FIBA ASSIST MAGAZINE

26_035_038 30-05-2007 10:09 Pagina 35

SPORT MARKETING AND MANAGEMENT

Building a Champion
by William Sutton On and Off the Court
William Sutton is one of the most respect-
ed Sports Marketing experts in the USA.
He was vice president of the NBA Team
Marketing. He's currently professor at the
Central Florida University, De Vos Sport
Business Program, and also founder and
president of the Bill Sutton & Associates,
consulting company for NBA, NFL, and
Australia and New Zealand's rugby
leagues. He is co-author of the books
"Sport Marketing" (third edition, 2007) and
"Sport Promotion and Sales Manage-
ment" (second edition, 2007), both edited
by Human Kinetics.

The Miami Heat won the 2005-06 NBA

Championship. While this was a great ac-
complishment, credit should also be given
to the Heat for transforming its business
operations and practices into a model pro-
fessional sport franchise. Over the past six
years, the Heat have:

▼ Established a year-round presence in

the Miami market.
▼ Led the NBA in season ticket sales.
▼ Created an innovative sales/service
split and retention model.
▼ Developed some of the best game
presentation and entertainment in the
NBA.
▼ Enriched the Miami community
through their community investment
and Community Relation programs.
▼ Leveraged star personalities and team
performance into lucrative and unique
corporate partnership opportunities.
▼ Rated as the NBA's #1 Team Retailer.

How did this list of accomplishments be-

gin? It began five years ago when the
Heat senior leadership team under newly
named President of Business Operations
Eric Woolworth, faced with dwindling at-
tendance and an under-performing on-
court product, decided to make some
significant changes in their business
model. The goal was to build a
sales/service model that could begin to
stop the erosion of the Heat fan base and
evolve into a revenue engine that could
capitalize on opportunity when the basket-
ball product began to improve.

FIBA ASSIST MAGAZINE | 26 2007 | PAGE 35

26_035_038 30-05-2007 10:09 Pagina 36

SPORT MARKETING AND MANAGEMENT

Six short years ago, the Heat, sensing the CREATIVE, ENTERTAINING AND ENGAGING
need to re-build an aging and dwindling GUERILLA MARKETING THAT CAPTURES THE
fan base, cut ticket prices and decreased HEARTS, MIND AND WALLETS
arena capacity in an attempt to attract a Under the leadership of Executive VP and
younger and more diverse audience that CMO Michael McCullough, and VP of Mar-
would be willing to grow and develop keting, Jeff Craney, the Heat have created
with a team that was rebuilding. an innovative guerilla marketing program
designed to capture the imagination, cu-
As the account manager at the time repre- riosity and interest of the market - particu-
senting the NBA's TMBO division, I can larly younger, upwardly mobile and diverse
recall the discussions in Miami that not segments. The Heat began by adopting a
only decreased some ticket prices and "If the people won't come to the arena to
froze others, but also resulted in cost-cut- see us - then we will go to them" approach.
ting measures such as wage reductions This approach called Summer Heat, in-
and freezes and a hiring freeze. volved some very non-traditional ap-
proached like purchasing an ice cream
Eric Woolworth met with his entire or- truck and refitting a fire engine to become
ganization promising that the changes Burnie's (mascot) Fireball Express and
would eventually benefit the organization driving them throughout Miami distributing
and preserve jobs if everyone could work free ice cream, schedules and ticket plan
together to become part of the solution. information, as well as providing roving
entertainment such as dancers and other
This solution began the season prior to characters to provide a sample of what
drafting newly anointed NBA Finals MVP people were missing by not attending a
Dwyane Wade. The following outline pro- Heat game. As the team and financial for-
vides an overview of how the Heat turned tunes both improved - the Heat leveraged
things around off the court. I have listed these imaginative approaches to become
the names of the individuals involved so sponsored playoff campaigns - Back in
that the readership can reach out to Black in 2004, the Red Zone in 2005 and
these professionals for insight and addi- White Hot in 2006. These same elements
tional information. along with DJ Irie and Heat TV comprise
the Heat game experience, widely consid-
ENABLING LEADERSHIP AND AN ered to be among the top in the NBA. The
INTEGRATED, FOCUSED DELIVERY SYSTEM game entertainment and presentation pro-
Eric Woolworth and CFO Sammy Schul- vides an outstanding pairing with an im-
man have worked to create a system of proving team providing something for
PPOs for the organization which served everybody regardless of their level of in-
as the focus for each department to de- terest in basketball.
velop their supporting PPOs. This system
insured that 5-6 established initiatives A SALES ENGINE TO STRATEGICALLY ATTACK
would be supported and funded as prior- THE MARKET AND LEVERAGE OPPORTUNITIES
ities. Thus the entire organization be- Adopting an aggressive revenue genera-
came focused upon organizational is- tion strategy under Sr. VP Sponsorship
sues rather than departmental concerns and Ticket Sales, Steve Weber, added for
and everyone worked together to move the first time, a telemarketing or inside
the organization forward in tough times. sales department and dedicated group
Incentives and bonus programs based sales specialists to a core of season ticket
upon the attainment of revenue produc- account executives moving the number of
tion and cost containment goals were es- ticket sellers to 20+. Weber is assisted by
tablished providing some upside for virtu- a data based marketing/research unit
ally every staff member. The result - virtu- headed by Paul Simon and supported by (budget and time) as new younger fans
ally no staff turnover, a sense of individ- Tony Coba, VP and Chief Information Offi- were attracted to the Heat messages. The
ual investment in the future of the fran- cer, who developed a program called result? Weber and his staff led the NBA in
chise and an organization successfully SmartSell - which was designed to ease full season ticket sales in 2005-06, revenue
achieving objectives and beginning to the sales process, create better records is up significantly and the building capacity
move forward. and improve communication between the is back to 2003 levels as the balconies
seller and the box office. Utilizing the "dis- were reopened in 2004-05 and standing
According to Woolworth, "leadership is counted tickets" as a vehicle for generat- room tickets were sold. Weber's corporate
about building a culture of mutual re- ing interest and making the phone ring - partnership unit began capitalizing on at-
spect and trust. This culture is dependent the sales team began growing the fan tracting a younger more diverse audience,
upon understanding how each and every base by offering good seat locations at selling club sponsorships, creating new in-
part of the organization communicates, reasonable prices and in a variety of ventory and leveraging team success by
interacts and plays their role(s)". packages to appeal to every lifestyle selling presenting sponsorships for the

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26_035_038 30-05-2007 10:09 Pagina 37

playoffs the past two seasons for new and interaction. These personal account demand for the remaining 14% easily sells
partners - Great Florida Bank and LaBam- representatives have the responsibility for out the building. Innovative programs
ba Check Cashing. renewing season ticket accounts. As such as the Heat's Rookie Orientation pro-
studies have shown that the cost of re- gram and season ticket holder apprecia-
ESTABLISHING A CUSTOMER CENTRIC placing a season ticket holder can cost tion activities and events have also in-
APPROACH TO RETENTION AND SERVICE 12-18 times as much as the cost to retain creased perceived value and satisfaction
Under the leadership of Sr. VP and Arena them - the Heat have utilized Ticketmaster among season ticket holders.
General Manager Kim Stone, and VP Jen- technology to let their customers forward
nifer Mallory, retention and creating long- tickets or sell them on line - all through the COMMUNITY INVESTMENT AND PLAYER
term satisfied customers, has become an Heat. Realizing that customer retention is COMMITMENT TO REACH THE COMMUNITY
organizational priority. The Heat have a the key to incremental growth - the Heat IN A MEANINGFUL WAY
dedicated Fan Relations staff, whose re- have renewed at least 86% of their ac- Effective community relations programs
sponsibility is customer communication counts over the past two seasons - and invest in what the community feels is im-

FIBA ASSIST MAGAZINE | 26 2007 | PAGE 37

26_035_038 30-05-2007 10:09 Pagina 38

SPORT MARKETING AND MANAGEMENT

portant. Steve Stowe, Director of Com-

munity Affairs has an outstanding rela-
tionship with Coach Riley and his play-
ers. All Heat players, including their
most prominent players (Shaq and
Wade) are active and highly visible in
the community. I witnessed two manda-
tory all player appearances in less than
a 24 hour period (Saturday Night at a
high end fund-raiser and Sunday after-
noon at Heat Family Day) that generated
more than $1 million for Heat charities.
Not only were the players in atten-
dance, but were active participants en-
joying themselves while being highly
accessible to fans in a variety of roles
and activities.

AGGRESSIVE AND CREATIVE

RETAIL PROGRAMS
Andy Montero, Sr. Director of Retail Op-
erations is a former NBA Retailer of the
Year. Montero is also known as "Crazy
Andy" - his on screen personality that
reminds Heat fans each night to stop in-
to the store and purchase the sale item
of the night. Montero sold Miami Floridi-
an Hardwood Classic jerseys, Black jer-
seys with white lettering - made visible
in a limited edition poster and most re-
cently an assortment of white clothing -
as all fans were encouraged to wear
white to support the White Hot playoff
theme. Montero runs the Heat store in
the arena, merchandise trailers outside
the building and several mall kiosks. He
is consistently among the top three re-
tailers in the NBA and works seamlessly
with marketing and other departments
to capitalize on merchandising opportu-
nities afforded through their respective
activities.

SUPPORTIVE AND RESPONSIVE

BASKETBALL OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT
President and Head Coach Pat Riley un-
derstands the importance of involving
basketball players and staff in sales and
marketing activities. Riley regularly
meets with Michael McCullough and his
staff to discuss marketing strategies, pro-
motional concepts and the role of players
to support business objectives. Riley ap- Partner clearly understands the role of the
proved the video and player involvement
▼ Creates an environment where peo-
owner: ple can be successful and enjoy
in the Heat's video production of the very
themselves.
successful Hardwood Classics night ▼ Present and visible in the market ▼ Recognizes contributions form people
which portrayed Heat players as mem- place and realizes that an owner must at every level.
bers of the 1972 Miami Floridians of the demonstrate his commitment and in-
ABA. Heat players are an essential ele- terest in the team so that fans become This was a five-year saga, for some fran-
ment in the retention process appearing "investors". chises it can be shorter and for others it
at special events for season ticket hold- ▼ Invests in good people and trusts their can be longer, the key is building the right
ers and also assist in sales activities. recommendations to move the fran- system and having it in place to capitalize
Finally, Micky Arison, Managing General chise forward. on good fortune when it presents itself.
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22_040_041 30-05-2007 10:12 Pagina 40

FIBA RESEARCH AND STUDY CENTRE

FIBA study centre at

SportAccord 2007
The FIBA Study Centre was part of the FIBA delegation present at SportAccord 2007,
the International Sport Convention held in Beijing from 23 to 27 April 2007

SportAccord is the annual international sports conven- pic Winter Sports Federations), as well as the Internatio-
tion, which brings representatives from the 100 Interna- nal Olympic Committee Executive Board, together with
tional Sports Federations, affiliated to GAISF (General sponsors, bidding and host cities, architects, sports
Association of International Sports Federations), ASOIF lawyers, broadcasters, games organizing committees, ri-
(Association of Summer Olympic International Federa- ghts holders and other specialists to discuss the key is-
tions) and AIOWF (Association of the International Olym- sues facing the sports industry.

SportAccord encompasses the annual Associations’ Congress and General Assemblies, while offering the sports commu-
nity a powerful opportunity to come together in an exclusive and authoritative networking environment to build relationshi-
ps, exchange knowledge and develop ideas. By attracting and connecting the key sports communities, SportAccord facili-
tates the discussions and relationships that drive organising committees, cities, federations and businesses to develop
sport and make sporting events success stories.

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22_040_041 30-05-2007 10:12 Pagina 41

The FIBA Study Centre was

present at SportAccord for
the fifth consecutive time.
The large FIBA booth focali-
zed major attention from the
sport community. All the re-
levant Study Centre publi-
cations were displayed and
distributed, a large plasma
TV continuously showed
the best basketball games
and actions of the 2006 FIBA
World Championship in Ja-
pan, hundreds of gadgets
were given away, inter alia,
the small size version of the
Molten official basketball.
Business meetings were
held with Study Centre Part-
ners, Associates and with
new companies, in particu-
lar several from China, whi-
ch were interested in the
Study Centre work, its certi-
fication programme and in
opportunities for future col-
laboration.

The FIBA delegation also visited the construction site of the Wukesong Cultural and Sports Centre, which will host the ba-
sketball tournament during the forthcoming 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. This visit was the follow-up of a major project star-
ted already some years ago, when, in agreement with the International Olympic Committee’s Sport Department, the Study
Centre prepared the guidelines for the basketball facility, drawing from its vast experience in the planning and implementa-
tion of major basketball halls projects, including the standards on safety, lighting, climatization, location, utilization of re-
newable energies sources, access for disabled persons.
FIBA ASSIST MAGAZINE | 26 2007 | PAGE 41
24_042_043 30-05-2007 12:24 Pagina 42

DOCTORS, TRAINERS AND CONDITIONING COACHES

injuries affecting
by Jacques Huguet the ability
to play First part
Dr. Jacques Huguet was the doctor for
the French National Basketball Team. He
was President of the FIBA Medical
Commission until 2006.

Over the past few years, the Medical

Commission of FIBA has initiated statisti-
cal surveys on injuries resulting from the
playing of high-level professional basket-
ball.
The main aim of the modus operandi was
to record the anatomical localisation of
injuries and their frequency. Thus, it was
revealed that the ankle sprain is still the
most common injury (approx. 30%).
Studying the cause of accidents is
mandatory for prevention.

In a recent study carried out during the

World Championship in Japan, it was
interesting to determine the mechanism
of serious injuries that incapacitated
players and caused them to withdraw
from the competition.

This study, targeting the causes of serious

injuries, can lead to preventive measures,
from a medical perspective, and to mate-
rial improvements in supplies and equip-
ment (playing court, the area around the
court, the baskets).

In the past, athletes wearing rings would

fall victim to digital amputation when
rings caught on the hooks of the basket
rim and ring avulsion injuries occurred.
The manufacturers of the baskets have
since been encouraged to eliminate such
risks. The FIBA Study Centre has also
intervened in regard to accidental slip-
ping in the painted area or on advertising
stickers (easy-wipe surfaces).

The dangerous implications of certain

movements could be left to the referees
and officials to assess, resulting in inci-
dents which cause intentional “blunt”
injuries being sanctioned more severely.

In the 15-man game of rugby, the growing

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number of spinal cord injuries resulting In Japan, three different injuries which ▼ Pending examination: facial defor-
in paralysis led the international federal led to the removal of players from the mities, nasal examination with a
body (International Rugby Board) to competition were recorded: speculum, septum luxation, septal
revise the rules on introducing the ball ▼ Nasal fracture. haematoma, possibility of abscess,
in the scrum. ▼ Peri orbital fractures. to be drained through a surgical
▼ Fifth metatarsal fracture. incision, subcutaneous emphysema,
During a warm-up session at the FIBA crepitance (pain makes it difficult to
World Championship, one key player NASAL FRACTURE follow up on mobility).
was removed from the tournament after Information provided in the questionnaire
he fractured a finger. The distal phalanx ▼ Player 1.85m tall. Position 1. IMAGING
affected became caught in the baggy ▼ Pyramidal structure fracture caused ▼ Simple fracture: plain-film based
and loosely-woven jersey of an oppo- by lateral displacement, on 30th image of nasal pyramid (face - pro-
nent. In order to prevent this type of August 2006, following a blow from file).
accident, consideration should perhaps an opponent’s elbow, on a rebound, ▼ Complicated fracture: Special inci-
be given to designing a tighter-fitting foul called. dences: Waters, Hirtz, CT scan,
jersey with a more densely woven fab- ▼ 2nd nose fracture in sporting career. MRI.
ric? ▼ Imaging: diagnosis confirmed with
x-ray (face - profile). PROGNOSIS
▼ Immediate treatment: ice-pack, ▼ Consolidation in 8-10 days.
LEGENDA NSAID (Non-steroid anti-inflamma- ▼ Non-reduced fracture may pro-
CUBOIDE: CUBOID tory drugs). duce: facial deformation, deviation
TENDON CPL: PERONEUS TENDON ▼ Surgical treatment: reduction by an of the septum, nasal obstruction,
ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) special- requiring rhinoplasty, reposition of
FACETTE LATERAL INTERMETATARSIALE:
ist. the septum.
INTERMETATARSAL FACET ▼ Return to competition: ▼ Reduced fracture may produce:
DIAPHYSE: DIAPHYSIS prolonged interruption of the possible callus formation, reduced
game due to another injury. nasal permeability.

Classification of nasal TREATMENT

fractures ▼ Epistaxis: gauze packing, insertion
of special pledget (Mérocel -
Mild: Netsell)
CUBOIDE ▼Without displacement. ▼ Non-steroid anti-inflammatory
drugs (NSAID), analgesics.
Moderate: ▼ In less than one week, reduction,
▼ Upper third (osseous): brief intervention under “short”
TENDON CPL by direct blow: crush anaesthesia, splint for one week.
(nasal lordosis); by later-
al blow: luxation (nasal PROTECTIVE FACE MASK WHEN RETURNING
TUBERCULE scoliosis). TO PLAY
▼ Lower two thirds (car- ▼ Face protection is often used.
BASE
tilaginous): by quadrangu- ▼ Nasal shield, custom-made by
lar cartilage rupture; by orthesists, using transparent ther-
FACETTE LATERAL
cartilage-vomer disloca- mo-formable plastic or pre-cut
INTERMETATARSIALE
tion. splints.
DIAPHYSE
▼ Material: polyester sheets
Severe: (polyvinyl - polyisopren) to be cut
HEAD ▼ Comminuted fracture. using a pattern from foam or thin
▼ With peripheric irradi- paper; soften in a hot water bath or
ations (ethmoid, lachry- oven at between 60 and 80° C (140-
5 METATARSIEN
mal apparatus, base of 180° F); mould on the face.
the skull, canthus).
PRINCIPLES TO OBSERVE WHEN USING A
MASK
CLINICAL EXAMINATION ▼ Position supports on 3 rigid bone
▼ Immediate obser- points (frontal bone and cheek-
vations: pain; nose- bones).
bleed. ▼ Do not apply pressure to the point
▼ Later observa- of the fracture.
tions: tumefaction, ▼ Do not impair peripheral vision.
swelling, ecchymosis, ▼ Fasten by securing two circular
nasal obstruction, elastic bands around the ears.
headache. ▼ Must be easily removable, to wipe
away sweat.

FIBA ASSIST MAGAZINE | 26 2007 | PAGE 43

22_044-045 30-05-2007 13:01 Pagina 44

NEWS

Australia
coach Stirling:
"We have to be better
One-on-one
in Beijing!"
If you thought Jan Stirling could relax after Confederation of Australian Sport awards
finally leading Australia to a gold medal at in February when Stirling was named
last year's FIBA World Championship for Coach of the Year for 2006, while the Opals
Women, you'd be wrong, FIBA's Ben were named International Team of the Year
Collins learned in an interview with her. ahead of the Australian men's soccer team,
After finishing in the medals at every FIBA which reached the knock-out stage of the
World Championship and Olympic Games World Cup for the first time and almost beat
since 1996, Stirling breathed a sigh of eventual winners Italy.
relief as the Opals finally captured gold in
Brazil last September. "It was a very proud moment for me, but
But almost as soon as the Opals had more so for the team," said Stirling. "It's
clinched Australia's first international great for our sport and great for Basketball
basketball title, attention turned to Australia. I was really thrilled that the girls
whether they would be able to repeat that pipped the Socceroos, who were probably
feat at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. the sentimental favourites. It was wonder-
ful recognition for them.”
Coach Stirling laughed at the suggestion
that the Opals' breakthrough success has "Most of the girls were overseas, with their
made her job more difficult, but only clubs, so it was a real shame they couldn't
because she knows what expectations lie be there, but Jenny Whittle did a fantastic
ahead. job in mentioning all the girls offshore in her
acceptance speech. I emailed them and
"It's funny because, you watch when we passed on some comments from dignitaries
get to Beijing, people will think 'gee, the and so forth, just so they could get a little bit
Opals will probably win a gold because had to be the best we could possibly make excited by it all.”
they won it at the Worlds', but they've got it. Every time we came away from practice
no idea what you're up against," she said. we thought, ‘Yep, we got through that real- “(Olympic gold-medalist swimmer) Dawn
ly well', and that's a credit to the girls. They Fraser has always been a wonderful fan of
"We had a bit of luck in Brazil because we were so focused on making sure that our the Opals and I spoke to her on the night.
didn't have any major injuries or sickness, time together was the best quality we (Rugby World Cup-winning captain) John
things were pretty good for us, so I hope could produce, and I thought they did that Eales also sent me a wonderful letter and
like hell we have all those bits and pieces with great efficiency.” I've shared their comments with the girls."
come together again.“
"The other amazing thing at the Worlds was While the Opals have earned plenty of
“It is a hard act to follow, but certainly a big that not only did we have the highest points recognition amongst the sporting fraternity,
challenge and I think the girls are pretty scorer of the tournament in Lauren perhaps only Olympic gold will see them
hungry for it, which is terrific." Jackson, the MVP of the tournament was a become household names.
different player, but still from the Opals,
Eight months on and Stirling has had time Penny Taylor. Penny is a world-class act in And should that happen, Stirling believes
to reflect on the Opals' victory, pinpointing her own right, without question, and to the Opals will act as perfect role models
two factors she believes were fundamental have those two number-one rankings from given the way they carried themselves
to the team's success. our team was just amazing as quite often throughout their World Championship-win-
your number-one points scorer is your ning campaign.
"I've been in the Australian program as a MVP.”
coach since about 1993, and this was the "Within the sporting world of this country, I
worst prepared team in relation to time "We certainly got the best out of our per- think what we've achieved is fairly well
together and access to competition," she sonnel, and I think what the Opals did for known, but probably in the general, broader
said. women's sport in this country, let alone for community, it's still 'oh, who are the Opals?'
basketball, was fantastic." she said.
"But, where we made up for that was
knowing, as a group, that every practice The Opals' achievement was noted at the "The girls have certainly made people sit up
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Pavlicevic:
and take notice, but also it's the way we go
about it as well. I had nothing, but compli-
ments from the hotel manager, the tourna-
ment manager and the media manager, who
said that the Opals were professional,
warm, friendly and very respectful. That said
a lot to me about the way the girls go about
“Euroleague has gotten
their business and it was very pleasing to
have that sort of unsolicited remarks made
about the Opals team.”
better and better.”
try loves sport. Greek
"So not only did they win and become world basketball is a top level.
champions, they did it in a manner that rep- This big pressure, espe-
resented our country really, really well - cially the first game
both on and off the court." against Tau, was very
difficult. It was very
The plaudits keep coming, but Stirling is not special, the two coach-
getting complacent. es were special. There
won't be any big sur-
Instead, she is focusing on making sure the prises. Look at the sta-
Opals remain the world's best in Beijing. tistics between the two,
very similar. The game
"Our system's pretty good here. But that's between them was like
not to say we can't improve it - and we do a final. In 40 minutes,
need to improve it - we can't just sit back one game - everything
and say, 'we're number one now so we're is complicated."
OK'," she said.
FIBA: How tough is this
"There's a few areas I think we're down on. competition? Is it get-
When you look at the statistics, we were the ting better and better
highest percentage shooting team there (in each year?
Brazil), but we don't want to rely on that all
the time so I think our offensive rebounding PAVLICEVIC: "This com-
and three-point shooting need to improve. petition has gotten bet-
Our mixing up of defense needs to be more ter and better. And I
flexible than it was in the past, and that's would say that now, it's
because other nations have scouted us and not the second division
are catching up.” of the NBA. Here, in
Europe, you have really
"We certainly have to be better than what Zeljko Pavlicevic has coached at great players that you even export to
we were at the Worlds if we want to be a Panathinaikos and most recently graced America. Before, 15 years ago, 10
legitimate medal contender for Beijing, the international stage as the boss of years - everyone thought the NBA was
there's no doubt about it. Everyone will Japan at the FIBA World Championship. up and no one made comparisons
improve." The Croatian was at the Euroleague between Europe and America. Now,
Final Four as a television commentator. it's different. Look at the results in
With so many Australians based in Europe, He spoke with FIBA's Jeff Taylor. Japan at the World Championship with
Stirling is hoping to utilise the Australian the American national team. It's some-
Institute of Sport's base in Varese, Italy, in FIBA: Hi coach. How have you been thing that is very good."
the build-up to Beijing. spending your time since coaching in
Japan? FIBA: One question about Japan? How
"If we still have this many athletes in the did you like coaching them at the FIBA
European leagues early next year, it may be PAVLICEVIC: "After this long experience in World Championship?
beneficial to take some athletes from Japan, I've been free this season. But I
Australia and over there into Varese and hope to after this season become a PAVLICEVIC: "It was a challenge, some-
have a mini-camp," she added. "We're look- coach of a team in Europe." thing that was new in my life. After two
ing at options, in addition to making sure European Cups, it was new and I had a
that all the athletes in Europe are aware of FIBA: What kind of pressure the team of nice experience. For me, almost every-
the medical back-up and other things they Panathinaikos was under at this Final thing was almost perfect. Yes, we
can access through Varese if need be." Four as the hosts? were unlucky against New Zealand
but look, New Zealand finished fourth
The Opals already have a camp confirmed PAVLICEVIC: "I was coach of this team in at the previous FIBA World
in Italy in June before Stirling visits China, '91, '92 and half of 1993 - two and a half Championship."
the United States and Europe, scouting the years coach of Panathinaikos. I know
European finals in October. The hard work what the pressure is like here. This coun-
starts here. Find more stories on www.fiba.com

FIBA ASSIST MAGAZINE | 26 2007 | PAGE 45

22_046_049 30-05-2007 14:20 Pagina 46

NEWS

the world
Planet
basketball
in brief
IOC Session for election as an IOC member. U19 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
The IOC Session will vote upon these candi- WEBSITES LAUNCHED
datures in Guatemala City, from 4th to 7th FIBA has launched the official website for
July 2007. This was announced by the IOC in the FIBA U19 World Championship for Men
a press release on 2nd May. (www.serbia2007.fiba.com) and Women
Together with Mr. Baumann, the other can- (www.slovakia2007.fiba.com ).
didates are International Equestrian Feder-
ation President HRH Princess Haya bint Al- Both websites include all-event related in-
Hussein (UAE), Columbian Olympic Commit- formation on the world's most prestigious
tee President Andrés Botero (COL) and In- basketball youth
SABA WINS FIBA ASIA CHAMPIONS CUP donesian Olympic Committee President Rira championships for
Iranian team Saba Battery achieved one of Subowo (INA). women and men and
the most prestigious titles in Asia, winning "This proposal is a great honor for FIBA and will feature, during the
the 18th FIBA ASIA Champions Cup for the global basketball", said FIBA President Bob competition itself, live
first time in Iran's basketball history. Elphinston. "After the many years our Sec- results and stats of all
Samad Bahrami had 26 points and Garth retary General Emeritus Borislav Stankovic games.
Joseph added 18 points and 14 rebounds has served as IOC member, the nomination The 7th edition of the
as Saba Battery trounced Syria's Al-Jalaa of Patrick Baumann would continue this tra- FIBA U19 World Cham-
Aleppo 83-75 in the final on 20th May, in the dition and guarantee a well-deserved rep- pionship for Women
Tehran Azadi Stadium. resentation of basketball within the IOC. I will be played from
Saba had defeated Al-Jalaa once more in am therefore pleased that the IOC Executive 26th July to 5th August
the first round 92-64. Board accepted FIBA's proposal and our 2007. The championship will take place in
Saba made his way to the final, beating one basketball family looks forward to a positive Bratislava (Slovak Republic) from 26th July
of Asia's powerhouses Al-Rayyan of Qatar outcome in Guatemala." to 5th August 2007 with 16 teams comprised
in a tug-of-war game, which finished 36-36 Patrick Baumann, who is currently a mem- of players born in 1988 or after, in two are-
in the first half, but ended up with Saba's ber of the IOC's Coordination Commission nas of Bratislava: the Sibamac Aréna NTC
win 74-70. for the London 2012 Olympic Games and and the Inter Hala Pasienky.
Al-Rayyan stood third after beating San was previously a member of the IOC's Eval-
Miguel of the Philippines 95-75. uation Commission for the 2008 Olympic The FIBA U19 World Championship for
Saba celebrated their historical success, Games, was born in Basel, Switzerland, on Women, which was first played in 1985 in
while they never had before any place 5th August 1967. Mr. Baumann first joined Colorado Springs (USA), will be staged
among three top Asian teams since the FIBA in 1994 and was appointed Deputy every two years, in odd years, as of 2007.
team was formed. Secretary General in 1995. On 29th August In the previous six editions of this tourna-
2002 he was unanimously appointed Secre- ment, the Soviet Union (1985 and 1989) and
Final Rankings: tary General by the Central Board of this In- the USA (1997 and 2005) won the gold
1 - Saba Battery (IRN) ternational Basketball Federation. His term medal twice, whereas Australia (1993) and
2 - Al-Jalaa (SYR) of office commenced on 1st January 2003. the Czech Republic (2001) each secured
3 - Al-Rayyan (QAT) the title once.
4 - San Miguel (PHI) Some of the biggest stars of the game
made their international debut in this cham-
PATRICK BAUMANN PROPOSED pionship: Janeth Arcain (Brazil), Margo Dy-
AS IOC MEMBER dek (Poland), Lauren Jackson (Australia),
At its recent meeting in Beijing, the Execu- Ilona Korstine (Russia), Lisa Leslie (USA)
tive Board of the International Olympic and Michele Timms (Australia), just to
Committee (IOC), following a proposal by name a few.
the IOC President Jacques Rogge, unani-
mously decided to propose FIBA Secretary The 8th edition of the FIBA U19 World
General Patrick Baumann and three other Championship will be played in Novi Sad
sports leaders as candidates to the 119th (Serbia) from 12th to 22nd July 2007 with
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22_046_049 30-05-2007 14:20 Pagina 47

16 teams comprised of players born in Confederation (CABB) website, www.cabb. 13, 14, I was the biggest fan of this league.
1988 or after, in two arenas of the Sport com.ar, Hernandez explained that he was I would never have thought I could have
Center Vojvodina, one of the largest multi- happy with meetings held between himself, played in this league." "I was a huge fan
sports complexes in Pablo Prigioni, Luis Scola and Juan Ignacio of Pippen," he said. "He was a great all-
the world. As of 2007, Sanchez. "All the players I met showed no around player. That was always my goal -
the FIBA U19 World problems ahead of possible selection," he to be an all-around player." A perennial
Championship for Men said. "We only have to wait until the end of All-Star, Nowitzki rounded out his game in
will be played every their respective club commitments to know his ninth season, averaging 24.6 points,
two years, in odd what sort of form they are in. The trip has 8.9 rebounds and a career-high 3.4 as-
years. The FIBA U19 highly positive results. Being at the Final sists. He was the only NBA player to
World Championship, Four allowed me to see the Argentineans in shoot at least 50 percent from the field
which was first played action and keep myself up-to-date. Be- (.502), 40 percent from the arc (.416) and
in 1979 in Brazil, deter- sides, I have also been in Spain (Malaga 90 percent from the line (.904).
mines the best basket- and Vitoria)," added the former Estudiantes Nowitzki finished no lower than 13th in
ball nation of the world and Boca Juniors boss. scoring, rebounding, field-goal percentage
in this age category. Argentina, who is the reigning Olympic and free-throw percentage. More impor-
The USA has won the champion, has been drawn in Group A tant, he led the Mavericks to a 67-15 mark,
tournament's gold medal three times for the FIBA Americas Championship, which matched the fourth-most wins in
(1979, 1983 and 1991), while Australia alongside Puerto Rico, Uruguay, Mexico NBA history. Nowitzki placed no lower
(2003), Greece (1995), Spain (1999) and Yu- and Panama. than third on all 129 ballots from members
goslavia (1987) have each captured the ti- of the media. He received 83 first-place
tle once. Big stars like Vlade Divac, Arvy- NOWITZKI CAPTURES votes and 1,138 points in balloting tabulat-
das Sabonis, Vince Carter, Toni Kukoc, MVP AWARD IN NBA ed on a 10-7-5-3-1 basis.
Wang Zhi Zhi, Andrei Kirilenko and Pau German international Dirk Nowitzki has
Gasol started their international career at been named Most Valuable Player in the TICKET SALES
this championship. NBA, becoming the first European to win FOR 2007 FIBA
the prestigious award. AMERICAS
HERNANDEZ HAPPY WITH The German superstar forward of the CHAMPIONSHIP
EUROPEAN TRIP Dallas Mavericks outpolled Steve Nash FIBA Americas,
Argentina coach Sergio Hernandez has of the Phoenix Suns, who had won the ti- with offices in San
returned home from what he describes tle for the last two years. Juan, Puerto Rico,
as a "positive" trip to Europe, where he "I'm still speechless about it," Nowitzki announced that the
attended the Euroleague Final Four to said at a news conference. ticket sales for the
meet some of his players ahead of the "When I first started playing this game at 2007 FIBA Americas
Championship
started on May 15.
FIBA Americas
along with USA
Basketball an-
nounced the time
for the games of the
2007 FIBA Americas
Championship and
the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Au-
thority (LVCVA) announced that on May 15
the packages for the tournament will begin
to be sold to the public. Individual tickets
will start their sale on June 6.
The packages that include all the games
start at $149 (USD). One can buy the tickets
online at www.unlvtickets.com or by
phone at +1 (702) 739 - 3267. The 2007 FIBA
Americas Championship will be played
from August 22 until September 2 in Las Ve-
gas, Nevada with the ten best teams in our
zone playing to qualify the FIBA Americas
champion and vice-champion 2007 for the
2008 Olympic Games in China.
FIBA Americas Championship.
The August 22 to September 2 tournament For more information please visit:
in Las Vegas hands two direct berths to the FIBA Americas: www.fibaamericas.com
2008 Olympic Games and the coach is fo- USA Basketball: www.usabasket
cusing 100% on qualifying for Beijing. ball.com. Las Vegas Convention and Visi-
Speaking to the Argentinean Basketball tors Authority (LVCVA): www.lvcva.com

FIBA ASSIST MAGAZINE | 26 2007 | PAGE 47

22_046_049 30-05-2007 14:20 Pagina 48

NEWS

three legends in the game: Spanish great

Pedro Ferrandiz, the late Russian legend
Alexander Gomelsky and fellow Serb Bozi-
dar Maljkovic, the Tau Ceramica coach
Obradovic beat in Friday's semi-final.
Obradovic said: "I've told my players that
this is not the first and the last, that we've
got quality and that this win will inspire us
to continue. I'm really proud of my players'
performance and I'm extremely happy for
the fans and the club." Panathinaikos
made a record 38 of 46 free throws in the
game, beating the previous mark of 34. Be-
fore the start of the campaign, most of the
experts predicted these two sides would
meet in the final and there was not much to
separate them throughout the season.
CSKA had stunned two-time defending
champions Maccabi Tel Aviv last year in
Prague, and Theodoros Papaloukas had
spoken of nothing else all season other
than his desire to return home to Athens
for this game. "I want to congratulate my
2014 COMMONWEALTH GAMES WITH national team-mates," said Papaloukas.
BASKETBALL? "They played a great game. It was difficult
The FIBA Commonwealth Basketball to play having 20,000 fans against us, but I
Commission met on 8th May 2007 in Lon- think the main reason why we lost was be-
don. Commission President Harish Shar- cause of small details." Papaloukas, the FI-
ma from India, FIBA President Bob Elphin- BA Europe Player of the Year 2006 and the
ston and FIBA Secretary General Patrick Most Valuable Player of the Euroleague
Baumann also used the opportunity to best centers in NBA history, and particu- this season, made nine of 10 shots from the
meet with representatives from the Com- larly a legend for the Rockets," Yao told floor and five of six at the line. Dimitrios
monwealth Games Federation. The Com- www.sohu.com. "I would love to. I'm work- Diamantidis, the Euroleague Defender of
monwealth Games Federation is currently ing on it." Yao will undergo minor surgery the Year, for the third year in succession,
evaluating the bids for the 2014 Common- on a toe to prevent a troublesome toenail was voted MVP of the Final Four.
wealth Games. The bidding countries for from growing back before returning to Bei-
2014 are Nigeria and Scotland. The deci- jing in June for a training camp with the
sion will be taken by the General Assem- China national team. "It hurts me a lot so
bly of the Commonwealth Games Federa- it's time to end it," said Yao, who was side-
tion in November 2009. Basketball was for lined for five weeks during the 2005-2006
the first time included in the program of season with a similar injury. "It will take me
the Commonwealth Games in the 2006 edi- three weeks to recover, but it won't ham-
tion in Melbourne, Australia, and proved per my training with the Chinese team.
to be a huge success. "This summer is very important for the na-
tional side in its preparation for the Beijing
YAO MAY TURN TO OLAJUWON Games. I cannot miss it." The 26-year-old is
China international Yao Ming is hoping to set to play a series of exhibition matches
work with former Rockets center Ha- with China, including the team's European
keem Olajuwon during the off-season fol- Tour and the Stankovic Cup in Shanghai.
lowing Houston's first-round NBA play-
off exit last week. PANATHINAIKOS WINS
Yao's boyhood hero led the Rockets to EUROLEAGUE FINAL
their first ever NBA championship in 1994 Panathinaikos held off CSKA Moscow in
and averaged 27.8 points and 10.8 re- Athens to win the Euroleague title. The
bounds through his career. Greens, with the majority of the 18,363 fans
Nigerian-born Olajuwon was part of the giving them an incredible home court ad-
USA team that won the gold medal at the vantage, prevailed 93-91. Lithuanian inter-
1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta and was national Ramunas Siskauskas led the way
selected as one of the 50 Greatest Players with 20 points - 10 in the fourth quarter - as
in NBA History. Olajuwon left the Rockets the Greek giants captured their fourth Eu-
in 2001 to join the Toronto Raptors after 17 ropean crown.
years and back-to-back championships in Panathinaikos coach Zeljko Obradovic al-
1994 and 1995. "It would be a great chance ready owned the record with five Eu-
for me if I can learn from him, one of the roleague titles. His six are two more than
PAGE 48 | 26 2007 | FIBA ASSIST MAGAZINE
22_046_049 30-05-2007 14:20 Pagina 49

Olympic basketball tournaments. onship where they lost to Germany and

The works at the Wukesong arena are well Dirk Nowitzki, 78-77.
advanced and the delegation could gain a Previously, he coached in South Africa and
good impression of the exterior and interi- Greece, following a playing career during
or of the future home of basketball during which he played for Boston Celtics, Seattle
the Olympic Games in Beijing. SuperSonics, Chicago Bulls and Orlando
The venue has been constructed following Magic in the NBA. Senegal are coming off
the recommendations of the FIBA Study a difficult year when they failed to win a
Centre starting with the planning phase in game in World Championship Group D, los-
early 2003, and is a fully functional basket- ing to the United States, China, Slovenia,
ball arena, that will ensure the legacy for Italy and Puerto Rico.
the running of a world class basketball The Lions' general manager Amadou Gallo
AYUSO AVAILABLE FOR PUERTO RICO venue for Chinese basketball after the Fall said Vincent had been "dazzled by the
Once concluded his current participation Games. potential of Senegal's players."
in the Croatian league with the KK Split, "We were very impressed by the progress The FIBA Africa Championship tips off on
which could be extended until late May, made during the past 6 months and we August 15 and runs through to August 26
and without knowing for which team he look forward to the opening of the building, and will qualify its champion for the 2008
will be playing in the Puerto Rican league, that is projected for October this year", Olympic basketball tournament for men.
Larry Ayuso, announced his availability to said FIBA Secretary General Patrick Bau- Senegal are in Group B, alongside Egypt,
play for the National Team in this summer's mann after the visit. "We look forward to the Ivory Coast and Mali.
FIBA Americas Championship 2007 in Las the Olympic test event in April 2008, where
Vegas. The sharpshooter declared that we can see the building in full function."
"I'm always available for the National Team The venue will have a spectator capacity
and to represent our flag with all my heart, of 18.000, two fully equipped warm up
as usual". In regards to the nomination, courts, and state of the art facilities for the
and further selection, of the National VIP's, media and competition manage-
Team's new head coach, Manolo Cintron, ment.
the player mentioned that "We know The FIBA delegation included, amongst
Manolo, and he knows us well", referring others, Mr. Aldo Vitale from the FIBA Study
to the coaches' prior experience with Center, as well as FIBA Central Board
Puerto Rico's National Team on the inter- member Ms. Mabel Ching. The tour was
national level. When asked about his im- guided by Mr. Liu Zhong Yi, the General
pressions on Cintron's latest comments Manager for the Wukesong Culture and
about his plans of using Carlos Arroyo and Sports Center, who is responsible for the
Jose Juan Barea (both in the N.B.A.) as the construction of the venue.
starting backcourt, the player said, "The fi-
nal decision is his (Cintron)... know what I VINCENT LEAVES NIGERIA FOR SENEGAL
am capable of. I'm in my peak looking for- Senegal have announced former NBA
ward, waiting for my chance". guard Sam Vincent will coach the coun-
try's national team at August's FIBA Africa
FIBA VISITS BEIJING Championship in Angola. The 43-year-old,
BASKETBALL VENUE who is the new head coach of the Char-
A FIBA delegation headed by FIBA Secre- lotte Bobcats in the NBA, is the former
tary General Patrick Baumann has visited coach of both Nigeria's men and women.
the construction site of the Wukesong are- Last year, he led Nigeria's men into the
na in Beijing, which will host the 2008 Find more stories on www.fiba.com
eight-finals at the FIBA World Champi-
FIBA ASSIST MAGAZINE | 26 2007 | PAGE 49
26_050 30-05-2007 12:59 Pagina 50

NEWS

THE ODD -
THE FUNNY -
Off-the-court

BULLERI WINS COOKING CONTEST

THE UNUSUAL
NO PLACE LIKE HOME FOR LEBRON ARGENTINEAN CHAMPIONS DONATE
Temperatures were rising as Armani Jeans USA Basketball and NBA star LeBron REVOLUTIONARY BACKBOARD
Milano's Massimo Bulleri posted a 56-44 win James' new house in the Bath Township Reigning Argentinean League champions
over Eldo Napoli's Richard Mason Rocca in neighbourhood will contain a two-lane Gimnasia y Esgrima have donated the first
an unusual duel between the two giants. The bowling alley, a recording studio, a casino, a audio backboard to a school for blind children.
Italian national team players have already theatre, a sports bar, an aquarium and a The world's first backboard with sound has
shown on the basketball court that they are barbershop. The Akron Beacon Journal, the been developed by Argentinian former basket-
adept at pouring in the points. local paper in James' home town, has seen ball player Ricardo Molinari. Gimnasia y
And those pouring skills came in useful as plans of the 35,440 square feet property, by Esgrima,
they competed against each other in a far the biggest property in the relatively mod- based in
steamy atmosphere in "La Prova del Cuoco" - est Bath Township neighbourhood near Comodoro
an Italian TV cookery programme, hosted by Akron and 20km south of Cleveland, whose Rivadavia,
Antonella Clerici, who started her career as a NBA side, the Cavaliers, are his employers. have made
basketball journalist before moving on to Surprisingly, no basketball court or swim- the dona-
cookery. ming pool have been included in the original tion in con-
It was Bulleri, who won a contest that for a plans for the property, which is due to be fin- junction
long-time was on a knife edge with Rocca left ished in 2008. Other features of the design with Pan
with the wooden spoon in an encounter that are a six-car garage and a limestone sculp- American
had plenty of spice in it. Bulleri, egged on by ture of James. Some of James' neighbours Energy to the local Escuela Especial No. 515.
top Italian chef Gilberto Rossi, proved too are annoyed at some of the attention their "Basketball as a sport for blind people does not
good for Rocca, who had another top cook hither to quiet neighbourhood is getting. Tom exist and this is the first time this kind of back-
Martino Scarpa on his team. Bader, told the Akron Beacon Journal: board will have been used," Molinari, who
Bulleri showed he was worth his salt as he "People, who come to photograph the house, owns FM Equipments, told Telam news
produced a veal are disrespectful. They park their car in the agency. "I'm proud of achieving it in my coun-
dish with sesame middle of the street - with their doors open!" try. This board allows blind children, teenagers
and chicory, a However, Bader is glad James is staying in and adults to play this game. I've already been
carrot risotto and the area. "He's great for Cleveland. I'm proud instructing coaches and teachers how to use
an almond pastry to have him. My children obviously think it's this invention." Molinari explained his inven-
as dessert. cool," says Bader, laughing. "They can hardly tion, which took three years to perfect, works
Rocca went into wait to go over and play basketball with him. by calling out to the players as the game pro-
his task with rel- I said: 'I don't think that's going to happen. gresses: "When a blind player throws the ball
ish, rustling up Besides that, don't invite LeBron over to our and scores, a voice announces the free-
veal with tomato house to play ball because he's going to throw, two-point or three-point basket and
and onions in a twist his ankle says the score. In this case, the board has a
sweet and sour and I will have tape that announces, for example: 'Three-
sauce, as well as my house points for Comodoro!' But tapes should have
a new potato and eternally the schools' names for each individual case.
pasta dish. egged'." However, I have a lot of people asking me to
All 100 members make a tape saying 'Three pointer by Manu
of the studio au- Ginobili!' because most children identify with
dience cast a Manu. The board also has six different sounds
vote and it was to help communicate where the basket is in
Bulleri, who relation to the players. In addition, Molinari
brought home developed special balls in yellow, orange and
the bacon with green, containing bells to help players identify
56 votes although where the ball is, and are brightly-coloured to
Rocca was hard- stand out to the partially sighted.
ly panned, as he
scored 44. Find more stories on www.fiba.com

PAGE 50 | 26 2007 | FIBA ASSIST MAGAZINE