In Episode 26 of The Help Side: Basketball Coaching Strategy and Analytics podcast we get caught up on the world of basketball post Super Bowl. We discuss the NBA and NCAA and what top teams are doing at this point in their respective seasons. In the analytics section, we talk about sacrifice and what it means from the perspectives of players, assistant coaches, and head coaches. In the strategy season we respond to a listener email asking about the pros and cons of different presses. We look ath the press we run, the 2-2-1 passive press, as well as a 1-2-2 trapping press, and a run and jump press.

Note: I said Jim Beilein but of course meant John.

NOTE***- At one point I say that a 75% free throw shooter will miss one 56% of the time and make both 44% of the time. These numbers were said backward. He will make both 56% of the time and miss one 44% of the time. My apologies for the confusion.

In Episode 25 of The Help Side: Basketball Coaching Strategy and Analytics podcast, we have made it to Episode 25! I had decided when I started this podcast that if I ever made it to 25 episodes, the 25th would be about whether or not to foul while up 3. So thats what we did. First we do our basketball roundup, where we talk about the beginning of the NBA season as well as whats going on in college basketball. Then we combined the analytics section and the strategy session into one deep dive segment as to both sides of the foul or not foul while up 3 argument. The discussion is both analytical and strategy based so it made sense to combine it all into one segment. The podcast did cut off towards the end, but we are just about to wrap up when it cut. 

If you haven't been to the website yet, visit thehelpside.com to see more coaching content. And probably more exciting, we have launched a YouTube channel called The Help Side. On this channel I will be doing play breakdowns, where I take a play from a college or NBA game and break down the play basically frame by frame to what each team did and what they could have done better. Please comment on those videos and let me know what you see and we can have a discussion and learn from each other!

In Episode 24 of The Help Side Basketball Coaching Strategy and Analytics Podcast we take a few minutes to discuss the NBA finals. We talk in detail about the performances of the two teams, and specifically of Jimmy Butler, Lebron James, and Anthony Davis. We also look at the future of both of these franchises. In the analytics section, we talk about sponsorship. Not in terms of money, but in regards to having someone go to bat for you. How we all need to have someone who is willing to write us a great letter of rec or make a phone call on our behalf when we need it, and what it takes to get there. In the strategy session we talk about making a defender trail over the top on a ball screen. What that does for the offense in terms of getting an advantage over the defense and having open teammates all over the floor.

In Episode 23 of The Help Side Basketball Coaching Strategy and Analytics Podcast we catch up on the NBA playoffs. We talk about the shocking loss of the Clippers to the Denver Nuggets, the Lakers, Celtics, and Heat advancing to the conference finals. I then go on another flopping rant. In the analytic section we talk about an interesting article I read on the negative overall impact of offensive rebounding in certain situations, as well as putting offensive rebounders in strategic positions. In the strategy session, we break down what the Nuggets did offensively against the Clippers, and what the Clippers could have done differently to slow down the Denver offense.

In Episode 22 of the The Help Side Basketball Coaching Strategy and Analytics Podcast we talk about the NBA bubble and how I think the bubble will affect play during the playoffs. We also talk about the Zion Williamson at Duke allegations and dig into that situation. In the analytics section we talk about subbing out players and effective ways of communicating with players after they are taken out of the game. Finally, in the strategy session, we talk about boxing out. I talk about its importance, and some drills that I have found to be effective incorporating the skills of boxing out.

Note*- I referenced a talk about boxing out I saw online years ago, and I said it was a speech by Coach K, I meant to say Coach Cal(apari). Sorry for the mistake. 

In Episode 21 of The Help Side Basketball Coaching Strategy and Analytics Podcast we talk about an idea I had about Covid testing and we talk about the Michael Jordan documentary now that it is finished. In the analytics section we go through the do's and don'ts when helping a recruit make a highlight film and sending a professional email to coaches to help that player get recruited. In the strategy session we talk about a ball screen twist and how it can be used as a counter to teams who guard pic and roll well.

In Episode 20 of The Help Side Basketball Coaching Strategy and Analytics Podcast we talk about the world with the Corona-Virus. We talk about the how hard it is to build a championship roster and those teams losing out on the opportunity to compete for a ring. We also talk about some things that happened in the NBA before the season was suspended. In the analytics section we talk about the importance of game film and how it can help you take away the things your opponents want to do. In the strategy session we talk about running your best shooter off screens when he/she is face guarded, and then engaging the screener's defender so they can't help off on that cut to the basket. 

In Episode 19 of The Help Side Basketball Coaching Strategy and Analytics Podcast we start with an update on my team as we have finished the non-league portion of our season and look forward to starting our conference play. We also talk about the NBA and the powers in the East and West. In the analytics section we talk about using a box score effectively to learn about the players on your opponents team. Also we talk about playing off guys who aren't outside shooting threats. In the strategy session we talk about bluff and recovering on the strong side and not helping from the strong side on a drive or post double.

In Episode 18 of The Help Side Basketball Coaching Strategy and Analytics Podcast we talk about whats been happening in the NBA, specifically with the Lakers and how LeBron has taken on the role of facilitator to make the Lakers a contender in the West.  I also talk a little bit out my team and how we are doing this season and how I have had to work to make my team better defensively and fundamentally. In the strategy session I talk about guarding the flat screen against a fast point guard. We played against a team who had a fast point guard and a pick and pop big making it a tough play to guard. I talked about how we went about guarding it and an effective way to rotate to take away what they want get out of it offensively.

In Episode 17 of The Help Side Basketball Coaching Strategy and Analytics podcast we are back and its basketball season! First we talk about a situation I had with one of my current players becoming ineligible due to his playing clock running out. I discuss the situation and the need for junior colleges and four-year colleges to work together to ensure the academic success of student-athletes. In this episode we combine the analytics and strategy session into one. We talk about scouting your own team, and thinking about how your opponents look at you and what you can do to counter their strategies against you. We also talk about putting in set plays. In the past I have put in lots of sets before the season started and also put in new sets during the season to stop opponents from scouting them. I talk about the merits of both ways.