Still Learning

The Celtics and Cavs game has made me think about another lesson that I have learned about the game of basketball. It is halftime right now and the Celtics are playing much better but I had to write this down just so I would not forget.

I think the most important lesson I learned from my first season of basketball was the importance of game and clock management. Often times, I would let the game go or leave my players in the game for an extended amount of time without calling a timeout or making a substitution. Many times we would simply run out of gas and not be able to make that final charge to close out a game.

This year, with those lessons in mind, I think we were able to put ourselves in better situations to win simply because the players were more rested by the end of the game along with myself being more judicious with my timeouts and substitutions.

Looking ahead, I think the lesson that I take with me from this year is the lesson of looking to exploit mismatches on the court. In order to do so this requires a create deal of concentration. I saw this lesson in full light when LeBron James went to the bench with three fouls late into the second quarter of tonight's game.

Sensing the potential mismatch, Boston continued to go to Paul Pierce who could drive to the basket against a much smaller opponent as opposed to James who reminds me more of a fullback than a basketball guard.

By exploiting this mismatch, the Celtics were able to climb back into the game. Granted, James did not help the cause by picking up his third foul but it was Boston's ability to recognize the mismatch and convert that helped them turn around the whole complexion of the game.

I have not learned it all but I am so glad that I am still learning. It's a good feeling.