Draft

Sorry its been a little while since my last post. We (Jamaican National Team) have been practicing twice a day for the last week getting ready to go to Dominican Republic for the Cento Basketball Tournament on the 5th of July. Practice has been going well. We got to work with our new addition to the team, Roy Hibbert of the Indiana Pacers for the first time. He is a talented young "big" who can help us in a lot of ways! He blocks shots and rebounds on the defensive end and is a good low post presence that has good hands, good passer and can score around the basket. We are very happy to have Roy on board!
The NBA draft was last night and what an exciting night for all the players that got drafted. I remember when I got drafted in the second round about one hundred years ago by the Houston Rockets. It was not the "Event' it is today but it was still a great night for me and my family. Little did I know then that I would have a 12 year NBA career and play with and against some of the best players in NBA history. Sid Moncrief, Jack Sikma, Bob Lanier to name a few of my Milwaukee Bucks teammates. I played against a lot of players that only need one name or initials. Kareem, Bird, Magic, Dr J, Hakeem, StocktonMalone (they played together so long the 2 became 1 so I gave them one name), Parrish, McHale (probably the hardest guy to guard. Never knew what kind of shot he was going to throw up and make), Walton, Moses (like McHale but a relentless offensive rebounder), Pippen (very under rated but great all around game) and of course MJ. Wow, sorry just going through memory lane for a minute. I fouled a lot of NBA top 50 players.
Anyway..... This years NBA draft was so interesting because of all the moves and movement that went on with teams trying to open up room to attempt to lure what might be the most talented free agent group ever, to come to their teams. Lebron is getting most of the attention but there are soo many good players that can move. Bosh, very good and hard wotking forward that can score both in the low/high post areas. Boozer, undersized power forward who is a beast around the basket to name a few. It seems to me that Wade in Miami would appeal to many of these players as a guy I would want to play with.

One more thing. To all those players that didn't get drafted last night. There are a lot of different ways to get to the NBA or have a long and productive basketball career. You can try and get into the NBA Development League. The money is not great but it has proven to be the best and most direct way to get to the NBA. This year there was a record amount of players called up from the NBADL to the NBA. We had 5 players called up from our Team alone this year in the Rio Grande Valley with the Vipers. There also is overseas basketball. There are leagues all over the world where you can play the game you love, make some good money and travel the world! It will not be easy! You have to work harder than you ever have before on your game and being a "Pro" on and off the court but it is well worth it. If you have the game and desire don't give up your dream!

made it

I made it to Orlando! It took 19 hours but it was well worth it. Joined the Jamaican National Team and we are working hard getting ready for the Centro Basketball Tournament in 3 weeks. Staying at the Westgate Lakes Resort, right by Universal Studios. What a wonderful place to stay! 3 pools and Whirlpools, Kitchens and nice living area. Great place for the players to relax in between practices. We have 14 players in right now and are waiting for another 3 or 4 to join us soon. I will give a full report on who we have in when we get everyone here but we have some good talent that we hope will turn into a very competitive, successful "TEAM". It's very exciting being part of Team Jamaica and helping them prepare to represent their country. I have played and coached on very successful NCAA, NBA Dleague and NBA teams but nothing compares to putting on the uniform of your country. I can see it in their eyes. Just ask all the great NBA players that put their egos aside and play for team USA.

Road Warrior

In a Holiday Inn in Slidell LA. half way to Orlando. Long day on the road but I am excited to get down to Orlando and start working with the Jamaican National Team players! Now I know where all the old rock and R&B groups go when they can't fill big arenas anymore... Lake Charles LA. I wish I was going to be around to see them! In Late June the following will be at different casinos in Lake Charles. Peter Frampton, Earth Wind and Fire and THE Commandors. For us "older" people we already know how great they were. For you younger people get on your computers, IPhones, Itunes, Ipads or whatever you use and check them out. That is real music.
Watched game 3 of NBA finals tonight. Big win for the Lakers. What a turn around for ray Allen! Could not make a shot tonight. Sometimes it goes that way. I KNOW he will have a big game in game 4.

Here we go

Tomorrow I start my 12 week journey of basketball around the world. The first round will be as an assistant coach with the Jamaican National team. In the morning I start a 20 hour drive to Orlando to start training Team Jamaica. I am driving for two reasons. One: I will have a way to get around when I am down there. Two: I can bring my golf clubs. We will be in Orlando for about 4 weeks practicing and playing some friendly games (that's what practice games are called in international play) getting ready to head to the Dominican Republic for the Centro Basketball Tour. We must finish top 4 to qualify for the Tour of Americas next summer. Then it is off to London to meet up with the British National team.
Side note: Really enjoyed game 2 of the NBA finals last night. Ray Allen was on fire in the first half! I feel great for him. He is such a pro and a good guy. He has a routine he does 3 hours before every game that is unbelievable. He has a picture perfect jumpshot with such a quick release. It's funny how you become an even better shooter the more you WORK at it. Remember that at home kids.
On a sad note Coach John Wooden, The Wizard of Westwood, passed away over the weekend. I grew up outside of Los Angeles in the San Fernando Valley and remember spending many hours watching his great UCLA teams play on TV. I am actually in the middle of reading a book on him right now. How to be Like Coach Wooden. What a great coach and even better human being!

getting ready for a busy summer

Wow! what a year. I have been around basketball all my life. Played and coached in the NBA and college but this years ride in the NBA Development League with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers was one of the craziest and most succsessful. We had a great record 36-14 and won the championship on a last second banked in 3Pt shot. And yes Craig Winders swears he called bank. And yes the play went just the way coach Finch drew it up in the huddle. Actually it was the second time craig saved our season. He took a last play charge in game 3 against the Austin toros getting us to the finals. Proving what I have been saying all year to the players, "Defense Wins Championships!"