Taking care of the little things

[Deleted]

Another intense and very interesting practice today! The staff ran two drills that I have never seen at Siena before. One was specific to shot blocking and the other was focused on taking a charge. I've watched countless practices where players were applauded for taking a charge or yelled at for not taking a charge but I have never seen a one on one drill where the player attacking the hoop was told to charge and the defender was coached to take it. Everyone participated - some interesting mismatches but for the most part the matchups were game like. Bodies were slamming onto the court, one after another. Solid team chemistry was evident as the charger always helped the player on his butt/back up and both were usually smiling. No whining or bitching, just solid hitting and taking the hit. Impressive and speaking volumes about what we might see on the floor this season. Running is constantly worked in - many different suicides - one would think Kevorkian had a hand in designing them. The team will be in Hewitt-like (only comparison I can make) shape for game 1. This team will run when the opportunity presents itself and possibly when it doesn't. Nice to watch guys knock down open threes on a regular basis (Poole, Oliver, White, etc.) out of the Patsos motion offense (more motion than MB's for sure). Lots of strong critical encouragement to guys like Poole to take the shot when open and not look for another pass. Don't know if we will win 17-20 games but we will surprise a lot of folks and be in every one of them up to the final buzzer.

[siena12077]

Oct 15, 2013 19:57:31 GMT -5 @misspractice said:

Another intense and very interesting practice today! The staff ran two drills that I have never seen at Siena before. One was specific to shot blocking and the other was focused on taking a charge. I've watched countless practices where players were applauded for taking a charge or yelled at for not taking a charge but I have never seen a one on one drill where the player attacking the hoop was told to charge and the defender was coached to take it. Everyone participated - some interesting mismatches but for the most part the matchups were game like. Bodies were slamming onto the court, one after another. Solid team chemistry was evident as the charger always helped the player on his butt/back up and both were usually smiling. No whining or bitching, just solid hitting and taking the hit. Impressive and speaking volumes about what we might see on the floor this season. Running is constantly worked in - many different suicides - one would think Kevorkian had a hand in designing them. The team will be in Hewitt-like (only comparison I can make) shape for game 1. This team will run when the opportunity presents itself and possibly when it doesn't. Nice to watch guys knock down open threes on a regular basis (Poole, Oliver, White, etc.) out of the Patsos motion offense (more motion than MB's for sure). Lots of strong critical encouragement to guys like Poole to take the shot when open and not look for another pass. Don't know if we will win 17-20 games but we will surprise a lot of folks and be in every one of them up to the final buzzer.

You've never done that charge drill in college or HS hoops even?

[th24]

It's practices like this like give me GREAT CONFIDENCE. This team will surprise people this year!

[hoopjunkie]

JP's biggest asset he'll bring to this program will be toughness and conditioning of his kids. We've been soft for a few years now. Those days are over.

[MTS]

Oct 16, 2013 11:15:50 GMT -5 hoopjunkie said:

JP's biggest asset he'll bring to this program will be toughness and conditioning of his kids. We've been soft for a few years now. Those days are over.

I remember the shape Paul Hewitt got the team in. When we got to the last 4 minutes of games Siena would be in full gear and the other team would be tugging on their shorts. I don't think Jimmy will play at that pace but getting up and down requires being in top condition. I agree with the toughness part...we've been soft (physically) for too long even going back to Fran's last year. Kenny was as tough as nails was Franklin and of course Rossiter... I think kids like White and Long especially will bring hard nose basketball to the team.

[th24]

Oct 16, 2013 13:09:52 GMT -5 MTS said:

Oct 16, 2013 11:15:50 GMT -5 hoopjunkie said:

JP's biggest asset he'll bring to this program will be toughness and conditioning of his kids. We've been soft for a few years now. Those days are over.

I remember the shape Paul Hewitt got the team in. When we got to the last 4 minutes of games Siena would be in full gear and the other team would be tugging on their shorts. I don't think Jimmy will play at that pace but getting up and down requires being in top condition. I agree with the toughness part...we've been soft (physically) for too long even going back to Fran's last year. Kenny was as tough as nails was Franklin and of course Rossiter... I think kids like White and Long especially will bring hard nose basketball to the team.

Look no further then Bisping..all the people around me ( on Saturday ) were taking about his toughness and that he was playing with a chip on is shoulder.

[hoopjunkie]

Oct 16, 2013 13:17:03 GMT -5 th24 said:

Oct 16, 2013 13:09:52 GMT -5 MTS said:

I remember the shape Paul Hewitt got the team in. When we got to the last 4 minutes of games Siena would be in full gear and the other team would be tugging on their shorts. I don't think Jimmy will play at that pace but getting up and down requires being in top condition. I agree with the toughness part...we've been soft (physically) for too long even going back to Fran's last year. Kenny was as tough as nails was Franklin and of course Rossiter... I think kids like White and Long especially will bring hard nose basketball to the team.

Look no further then Bisping..all the people around me ( on Saturday ) were taking about his toughness and that he was playing with a chip on is shoulder.

Bisping is a tough kid. Hopefully he can provide the little things (take a charge, set good screens and hit the trailer jumper) like Duell did a few years ago. I obviously worry if we have to count him for 30 min a night.

[mrsiena]

Mike Buhrman exhibited those qualities before Duell arrived on the scene.

[musicman]

Can someone educate me as to when practices are open?

[playerparentcoach]

Oct 16, 2013 23:45:11 GMT -5 musicman said:

Can someone educate me as to when practices are open?

I heard Tuesday from a fan that attends

[nygnep]

Jimmy told me this Saturday at 4 pm at the ARC.