Comments on: Between Intuition and Structure

By: The Clipp

The Clipp — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 19:25:46 +0000

What does Stravinsky know? – he is no basketball player.

By: The Mid-Afternoon Mini Mustache, featuring the Greatest Show in New Jersey | Stacheketball, an NBA Blog

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 21:52:00 +0000

[...] Krai Charuwatsontorn channeling Stravinsky on the Clippers new system: “If you have the illusion of freedom in every direction, where every choice is the same as any other, then you don’t really have any freedom at all, and creativity withers.” [ClipperBlog] [...]

By: Slax

Slax — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 20:33:25 +0000

Holy smokers, Clipperblog is waxing eloquence. I’m proud of the Nacion! Who say’s were all blue collar dummies?

By: John R.

John R. — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 07:14:53 +0000

Very welly done all.

By: Krai

Krai — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 06:54:12 +0000

Thanks for the comments guys. Brad, I think a good coach like Phil and Pop instill a rigorous system and allow their players to funnel their intuition through that system. It is only then that the system can empower the personnel to transcend their limitations toward heights that they would not otherwise have achieved on their own. Kevin’s musical analogy is apt here, because an orchestra/conductor relationship works in a similar manner.

My personal opinion on the Dunleavy’s abrupt resignation is that it might have saked the bloodlust of the fan base, but unless we’re intent on signing Kim Hughes for next season and beyond, I see more downside than upside. Though Dunleavy’s effectiveness as coach was over two or three years ago, it might have been smarter to finish out the season with him, then conducting a search for a long term head coach in the off season, as there was a consensus that the franchise needed a new voice in the locker room. There would have been an orderly transition and no confusion as to the direction of the franchise.

The team did make some positive strides this year, our win-loss record and quality of play from last year reflects that. There is still room for growth, and we should guard against regression during the remaining games. Kim Hughes probably deserves a chance to be head coach in this league somewhere, and perhaps both Dunleavy and DTS believes that he has what it takes to be a successful coach in the NBA. If he finishes the season well (let’s say he wins 7 out of the last 10 but we finished with around 32 wins), would the fanbase be satisfy with Kim Hughes signing a new multi-year contract? And if we get a new, higher profile coach to replace him during the summer, would the players be dissapointed that Kim Hughes is gone?

The downside of that equation is if the team begins to fracture. Unable to find that middle ground between a run and gun style and half court sets, they finish the season with less than 30 wins. Kim is out, and the hunt for a new head coach begins. But instead of going into the off season with some optimism for next year, there is uncertainty and tumult. Like the bad old days, the team will have had three coaches within a span of six months, and the new hire better be successful very quickly. Or the mentality among the players will be “here we go again…” And, like Ron Harper of old, guys like Eric will begin to climb the walls, desperate to get out of Clippers prison.

By: brad

brad — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 03:33:41 +0000

I have a question. Since you equate structure and discipline to being the fuel for creativity, do you think that this new hire and new system which i assume is free flowing(Anti-Creative) was made prematurely or should they have hired a more disciplined coach? Very good read by the way

By: MadGlove

MadGlove — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:28:13 +0000

Very nicely done. The team definitely needs some structure. You can’t just roll the ball out there and let them play jungle ball. I hope Hughes understands that too. Hopefully he’ll get a chance to implement some kind of running “system” over All-Star break. But if he thinks just yelling “run!” like Dunleavy used to is enough, he’s in for a lot more losses.

The team needs to practice a fast paced system and understand their roles within that system.

By: D.J. Foster

D.J. Foster — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:14:06 +0000

Great stuff, Krai. Bravo.

By: SamMays

SamMays — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:11:55 +0000

Nicely written Kevin.

Structure isn’t always necessary for the individual, but it is necessary for the team. Even a fast break system must have structure. Players have to be in the right places to open up passing lanes, create room for their teammates, etc.

D’Antoni’s system has plenty of structure.

It’s Baron who wants to be the maestro without music.

By: TNT57

TNT57 — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 23:46:33 +0000

You can get as deep and philosophical as you like about the current state of Clipper basketball. But I was at the game against the Spurs and it comes down to fundamental technique. Baron had 8 turnovers that were mostly due to lazy passes and lapses in judgment. Butler missed at least 7 wide open shots and Kaman did the same. You can talk about contrasting coaching styles but any team with any coach that shoots 25 percent is going to lose. Hughes is not the answer. By naming him interim coach for the rest of the season Sterling has thrown in the towel. The team might as well toss the remaining 40 plus games and try for another number one pick.