My high school coach had a saying to teach us about moving without the ball or going without the ball. He said, “If you stand around like a fireplug, you’re going to be pissed on.” Let me explain this. A fireplug is used to provide water for fire prevention. So he didn’t want us just standing but moving constantly when we didn’t have the ball.
I alluded to this in a previous analysis about Sasha. Part of his versatility is the fact that he is constantly moving without the ball. Some players just stand and wait for the ball to do anything. If young players want to be good players, they must constantly be in motion to get the ball.
Watching Sasha, you will note that he is always moving around the floor to stay out of the way of the ball handler or to go and set a screen or pick to aid the man with the ball. He also cuts to the basket to set a pick for a man who is coming out to receive a pass for a shot. When Sasha is low near the baseline, he sets up his man by a fake across the floor and then goes out to receive the ball behind the screener. THIS IS SOMETHING YOU MUST ALWAYS DO: FAKE YOUR DEFENSIVE MAN BEFORE DOING ANY MOVEMENT if you want to screen or to go get the ball. Fake one way and go the other way. It is one of the most basic moves you must have if you want to be a great basketball player. That is why Sasha is such an outstanding player. He is elusive.
Another thing he does well is set a good screen or come off a screen to get his shot. He either gets close to the player he is screening to prevent him from staying with his man, or goes behind a screen leaving no space to allow his defensive man from staying with him.
Remember, it is the little things you do that make you an excellent player like Sasha.
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February 15th, 2009 at 5:26 pm
Every time I see Sasha play it makes me wish I was still in high school so I could try the things he’s doing. lol I mean I wasn’t a bad player, but when I see him it takes me back to the drills we had to do.
Good article. :]
April 15th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
That’s pretty basic basketball, I am a basketball player as well, but I play at two places, I play at my High School, and a basketball organization.
My coaches are always teaching us new plays, and they always involve picks, screens, cutting through, and making good passes and shots.
But I learn so much from watching you, I try some of the moves you use during the game in my games and practice some of your moves at the courts, when I play basketball, your my insperation, I say to myself “what would Sasha do?”. Your a terrific shooter and great at defense so I spend hours in the gym practicing my shooting, and my defense. Your doing great Sasha, thanks for being a Laker. (:
April 15th, 2009 at 5:31 pm
That’s pretty basic basketball, I actually play basketball at two places too, I too play for where I came from at a center in LA. I play High School Basketball and for the center, whenever I have a game I always ask myslef “what would Sasha do?” when the ball is passed to me. I always pay attention to your plays, and movements during the game to see how I can better myself in basketball, your my insperation, your a great shooter and defender, so I spend ours on the basketball court bettering my shots, sliding on defense, when to set a screen, and when to cut towards the middle. My highschool team is starting the learn Triangle Offense, and Defense, just like you and the Lakers use it during the game, I’m will be able to use it in mine.
Your a great player, it’s great to have you in the Lakers.