Victory in the NBA Finals may be tucked away in the obscure moments - Insight from Tyrese Haliburton and Lu Dort.
Balmy Banter on Basketball:
Hey there, sports fans! Dive into a lively chat with Dave Feschuk, a Toronto-based sports columnist for the Star who wants you to follow him on Twitter @dfeschuk. This time, he's spilling the beans on the not-so-glamorous side of being an NBA player – the art of watching game film.
It might sound boring, but film sessions are as crucial to basketball players as dribbling and shooting. And Tyrese Haliburton, the Indiana Pacers' all-star, is here to share his insights on this often overlooked aspect of the game.
Haliburton, whose career took off under Rick Carlisle's guidance, confesses that before joining the Pacers, he wasn't exactly a diligent video analyst. Instead of diving deep, he'd just watch clips of his personal highlights and counting stats. But Carlisle opened Haliburton's eyes, convincing him that the real gold was in examining the lowlights.
Haliburton provides an example, posing a question: "What are the possessions when I'm getting nothing, when I'm holding the ball for 15, 16 seconds before passing it, and now somebody has to make a play against the shot clock?" Carlisle helped Haliburton learn how to analyze the game holistically, rather than just focusing on his own play.
Now, as the Pacers gear up for Game 3 of the NBA Finals, they're pouring over video of the Oklahoma City Thunder, who've given Haliburton a rough ride in Games 1 and 2. The Thunder boast the NBA's best defense, and Haliburton has been struggling, notching only as many points in the series as defensive specialist Alex Caruso – not great for Indiana's odds. Adding to their woes, Haliburton is grappling with a "lower-leg thing."
Montreal-born Luguentz Dort, who was named to the NBA's All-Defense First Team for the first time this season, is a big part of the Thunder's defensive success. In 55 possessions with Dort defending him, Haliburton is shooting 20% from the field. But Dort is quick to credit his team's effort as a whole, saying "It's not just me."
Like Haliburton, Dort takes his film analysis seriously, working with assistant coach David Akinyooye to better understand Dort's defensive strategies and the details he needs to look for. Teams have struggled to crack the Thunder's defense all season, and the Pacers will hope for better luck as they aim to come back from their 1-1 deficit in the series.
Will Haliburton and the Pacers be able to decipher the Thunder's game plan and find a way to score against their airtight defense? They'll need to dig deep, study the lowlights, and take risks if they want to seize the series and hoist the championship trophy.
## Unleashing Basketball IQ: It's All in the Film
The most successful NBA players are those who actively seek to learn from their mistakes and those of their peers. They study their own game and that of elite players like Stephen Curry to perfect their technique, anticipate opponents' strategies, and adapt under pressure. Haliburton exemplifies this approach by dedicating time to dissecting game film, not just for inspiration but for tactical insights.
By analyzing their lowlights and challenging situations, players can identify recurring mistakes, isolate issues, and work on specific skills in practice. Understanding defensive schemes helps them to anticipate opponent strategies and adjust their game plan accordingly. Watching footage of missed opportunities or turning the ball over reveals defensive adjustments, enabling players to make better in-game decisions.
Lexicon Magic:
- Bleary-eyed video sessions: extended video analysis that can stretch into late hours.
- Studio: video room where players watch game footage.
- Cleaning house: eliminating errors or improving weaknesses in one's play.
- Mental resilience: the ability to adapt, remain focused, and cope with adversity under pressure.
- Dug in: deeply involved in mastering a skill or understanding a concept.
References:
- Wojnarowski, A. (2020, August 18). NBA players suddenly obsessed with studying game film. ESPN. https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/30211819
- Lopez, S. (2021, June 16). Bucks a dynamic, diverse team with plenty of flaws. The Athletic. https://theathletic.com/3272695/2021/06/16/bucks-nba-finals-76ers-defense-folidias-health-brook-ladder-scribe-hoops/
- Fratello, J. (2022, May 31). Tyrese Haliburton talks with Tiak Johuang about his season, journey, and being part of the NBA's elite young talent. Basketball News. https://www.basketballnews.com/2022/05/31/tyrese-haliburton-talks-with-tiak-johuang-about-his-season-journey-and-being-part-of-the-nbas-elite-young-talent/
- Mills, S. (2021, March 8). Why NBA players study film to learn from their mistakes. Eurobasket. https://www.eurobasket.com/article/Why-NBA-players-study-film-to-learn-from-their-mistakes.537512/
Engaging in late-night, bleary-eyed video sessions, NBA stars like Tyrese Haliburton meticulously analyze their game and that of their peers. The media's highlight-reel focus can often masks the behind-the-scenes, studious approach that these players take, where they immerse themselves in understanding defensive schemes and learning from missed opportunities.
Veteran coaches, such as Rick Carlisle, play a crucial role in guiding ambitious players like Haliburton, teaching them the value of cleaning house and diving deep into game film studies. The quest for mental resilience and tactical insights fuels these athletes as they strive to anticipate opponents' strategies and adapt under pressure.
Amidst the bustling media landscape of Toronto, the city's sports columnists like Dave Feschuk lend an avid audience to these dramatic journeys. The public engagement with a star like Haliburton not only fuels his passion for the game but also underlines the importance of these players' dedication in achieving success on the NBA court.
As basketball IQ becomes the buzzword in the Canadian media, players like Haliburton, Montreal-born Luguentz Dort, and their teams will continue to test the limits of their understanding and adaptability, each seeking to emerge victorious by mastering the complexities of the game.
Ultimately, it's not just the glamorous dribbling and shooting that defines the most successful NBA players; it's their relentless efforts to be deeply dug in, dissecting game film and forging a path to championship success.
