Successful basketball teams need to have a combination of one or two talented players plus unselfish role players. That's fairly obvious. What is easy to overlook is the guy holding the clipboard on the sidelines. Yes, coaching is an important factor when handicapping games. The reason is, it's the coach's responsibility to organize, teach and motivate players. And that's not always easy to do with professional athletes making much more money than the coaches.
Arguably, the most important thing an NBA coach can do is to teach defense. That's been the backbone of the Spurs success the last 7 years, almost quietly winning three NBA titles (and in the running for a fourth to defend their 2005 championship).
Naturally, teams that have survived this far in the NBA playoffs likely don't need to be motivated by a Knute Rockne-like halftime speech. Still, the guys carrying the clipboards can have a significant impact on the game. There's no better example in this year's playoff series than the Dallas Mavericks. Relatively new coach Avery Johnson has gotten the Mavs to play magnificent defense, something they always lacked under Don Nelson.
Johnson made a key strategic move last week, too. With his team down 1-0 against the Spurs, Johnson used two guards in the lineup in Game 2. He has started Devin Harris in place of Adrian Griffin, giving the Mavericks a lineup with two point guards. It was the first time all season Johnson had started Harris, Josh Howard and even Jason Terry together and their speed has been key in taking a 2-1 series lead. Sports bettors should note that Games 3 and 4 sailed over the total, and Johnson's coaching adjustment was the reason, which picked up the tempo of both games. There was still good defense, just more scoring because of the faster pace.
Notice that a few year's ago, when Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant were together, their first three years from 1996-99 the team flamed out badly in the playoffs each time. It wasn't until Phil Jackson's arrival that the Lakers turned into champions, and Jackson's greatest contribution was his ability to teach defense.
Los Angeles was always one of the top offensive teams in the NBA in Shaq's three first seasons under coaches Del Harris and Kurt Rambis. The year before Jackson arrived, the Lakers allowed opponents 96 points per game (outscoring foes by a 103-96 average at home.) But in Jackson's first year, the Lakers allowed 93 ppg, outscoring teams by a 102-91 average at home. That's a significant differential defensively, while the offense virtually remained the same. Instead of getting smoked in the playoffs with lazy defense, the Lakers won the NBA title under Jackson his first three seasons as coach.
The Memphis Grizzlies begin the season 0-10 SU and 3-7 ATS a few years ago. The defense was terrible, giving up 104 ppg. It was clear the coaching staff was in over its head and Sidney Lowe did the wise thing and stepped down. Then new coach Hubie Brown got those guys to play some defense, turning the season around, a trend they continued under Mike Fratello. Watch carefully how teams respond, depending on their coach and their situations. Coaches can make a big difference in how a basketball team performs – straight up and against the spread!
