A hardwood junction...
Even a cautious fan, burned from the belief that Anthony Grant or Avery Johnson would lead Alabama to the basketball promised land, has to optimistic about Nate Oats. If saying the correct things means something, the new coach has made a lot of fans happy. While his bona fides are short, they are impressive.
Oats seemingly wants to run a tight ship. He has done a good job of convincing John Petty to stay with the Tide. He has done all he can to do the same with Kira Lewis. I bet he will not suck up to Lewis, however. He made his pitch and then ran Lewis through some tough drills. By all accounts his squad was gassed, and this wasn't even his real conditioning drills. Oats wants to run opposing teams to death. I would think if you are a point guard this would be exactly what you want.
If Lewis can't adapt to this style play Oats should pat him on the back and wish him good look wherever he lands. I think Oats is that kind of guy. He wants his type player or he doesn't need you. I'd bet there were some wide eyes at those practices. Here's the deal - that is what each of Bama's players need. If you want a future in the NBA he can get you there. If you want to play at the rec center with your buddies have at it. You don't need to be at Alabama. I like that. It isn't Oats decision. It is the players choice. For those that stick it out they will have teammates they can be proud to say we did it.
Oats said that he doesn't coach 1980's style basketball. His four out and one in scheme is exciting but it's still basketball. You have to shoot well and you have to defend. You have to rebound to run, and you have to protect the basketball as well. Those things never change despite they way the look to the average fan. That was true in the 1980's and is still true today. Can Oats take his Buffalo styled offense and win in SEC? That's the big question, isn't it. One thing clear is that Oats believes in the small things. Small things are not always flashy or obvious. You win the 50-50 balls. You get extra offensive rebounds. You don't turn the ball over. If you do the small things you can do the big things. I believe Oats can instill that in his players. He may convince his players that the offense is new, but the fundamentals never change. We might even make some free throws, although tired legs sometimes kill you at the line.
I've been down this lane with a lot of coaches. Let's hope this one sticks around for a long time.
Even a cautious fan, burned from the belief that Anthony Grant or Avery Johnson would lead Alabama to the basketball promised land, has to optimistic about Nate Oats. If saying the correct things means something, the new coach has made a lot of fans happy. While his bona fides are short, they are impressive.
Oats seemingly wants to run a tight ship. He has done a good job of convincing John Petty to stay with the Tide. He has done all he can to do the same with Kira Lewis. I bet he will not suck up to Lewis, however. He made his pitch and then ran Lewis through some tough drills. By all accounts his squad was gassed, and this wasn't even his real conditioning drills. Oats wants to run opposing teams to death. I would think if you are a point guard this would be exactly what you want.
If Lewis can't adapt to this style play Oats should pat him on the back and wish him good look wherever he lands. I think Oats is that kind of guy. He wants his type player or he doesn't need you. I'd bet there were some wide eyes at those practices. Here's the deal - that is what each of Bama's players need. If you want a future in the NBA he can get you there. If you want to play at the rec center with your buddies have at it. You don't need to be at Alabama. I like that. It isn't Oats decision. It is the players choice. For those that stick it out they will have teammates they can be proud to say we did it.
Oats said that he doesn't coach 1980's style basketball. His four out and one in scheme is exciting but it's still basketball. You have to shoot well and you have to defend. You have to rebound to run, and you have to protect the basketball as well. Those things never change despite they way the look to the average fan. That was true in the 1980's and is still true today. Can Oats take his Buffalo styled offense and win in SEC? That's the big question, isn't it. One thing clear is that Oats believes in the small things. Small things are not always flashy or obvious. You win the 50-50 balls. You get extra offensive rebounds. You don't turn the ball over. If you do the small things you can do the big things. I believe Oats can instill that in his players. He may convince his players that the offense is new, but the fundamentals never change. We might even make some free throws, although tired legs sometimes kill you at the line.
I've been down this lane with a lot of coaches. Let's hope this one sticks around for a long time.
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