AAU is in bad shape

I am a former player that played AAU basketball. Our middle school team went 101- 0 and won 3 National Championships. I have also coached the number 1 8th grade team in the country! AAU is in trouble. The adults that are around this sport are killing off the spirit of the sport! It starts with the coach, who never took any courses in coaching. Probably never ever taught in a school setting before.  Here is the problem with 95% of these so-called coaches, they want to win over teaching. I don't think some of these coaches realized that they are teachers and they have a big role in shaping the youth! If you as a coach are teaching your kids that winning is the most important thing, then you are setting them up for failure. Elementary basketball should be a lot of fun, teachable moments and hugs! You should be creating an environment where the youth can grow and develop. There is no reason for an 8-year-old to get cussed out for making a mistake! It's no way the coach should, who I'm very sure hasn't taught the youth the correct way to do things and even then it takes over 300 hours of practice to be able to retain the muscle memory to be able to go out and execute! So many coaches want to win and play horrible basketball. That at the end of the day the youth are getting Neglected and also the coaches are doing them a disservice Because they are not teaching the right way! I have seen a team that dribbles to the corner every time with the basketball and then they will try to pass the ball from the corner with the basketball over there head. then they get the ball taken and the coach is screaming for a foul in that situation! WRONG, WRONG, WRONG! A good coach in this situation would correct the players from dribbling in the corner. Also, this is another teachable moment Because the player should not be passing the ball from over his head he or she should be throwing a chest pass or a bounce pass in these situations. Or I have seen a youth which this is his first year playing basketball and he gets called for travel several times in a game and the coach is screaming and yelling and cussing him out. Another teachable moment and a time for a hug! I really believe coaches on every level should take a coaching course and they should have to pass the coaching course, also I believe At the beginning of every season referees and coaches should have a clinic together so coaches can understand what is a foul and what is not a foul. And my final point when I mention what I have been through as a coach and a player in AAU is to say no one cares what you did in elementary or middle school. Too many coaches want to be the best elementary coach in the world and middle school, let's say its a reason why most of you guys coach at that level and never ever will move up to high school or college! If you don't study coaching and read books about coaching and go to coaching clinics then what are you really doing?

AAU Basketball

I played AAU at its highest level, and I have coached AAU at a high level. Sadly, AAU is completely different from when I played.  When I played we had real coaches that loved the game of basketball. Most coaches that are coaching now in AAU are coaching because they have a child on the team. This AAU season I have seen the worst coaching, the worst parents and some of the worst basketball I have ever seen in my life. I know I have been talking about back in the day a lot, but it is true. Only the best players in your city could play AAU. When you told people you played AAU they understood and knew you were a good basketball player. We went all over the country and we played the best talent in the country.

A lot of these coaches really disrespect the game of basketball and they do the kids a disservice by not teaching them how to play the game the right way. COACHING IS DONE IN PRACTICE AND YOU MAKE ADJUSTMENTS IN THE GAME. When you are coaching your team, you don't have energy to focus on the referees all game, that is horrible coaching and teaching the kids bad sportsmanship. Screaming and yelling at 9 and 10 year olds is not coaching either. There should be more hugs, love, and encouragement. Elementary coaches should be all about fundamentals and technique. They should be teaching the youth the rules and how to play the game the right way. Middle school coaches should be teaching competition and enhancing the fundamentals of the players. If you as a coach aren't teaching the youth and is focused on winning over teaching. Your in the way and you need to get out the way!

Which LA team will Lebron James end up?

The LA Lakers, in my eyes will end up with Lebron James by the 2018-2019 season. His wife wants to live in Los Angles full time and he is also into the entertainment business. Magic Johnson is his role model, and not only that, its the Lakers! One of the most historic teams in all of sports. To me it just makes sense verses going to the Clippers. The Clippers are old and they cant stay healthy. That team also can not compete in today's NBA. The Pg pounds the ball too much and has to have the ball in his hands at all times, Lebron James is a ball dominate player also. That will never work between those two. The biggest question is the front management. Who is running the Clippers? Is Doc Rivers that great of a coach? Can Blake or Chris stay healthy? Too many questions and I don't think there are enough answers.

KD is shutting his critics up!

Kevin Durant is doing more than just getting a ride to the championship he is driving the bus. KD will MVP of the series and he is taking the title as the best player in the world. This series is a passing of the tourch like Dr.J to MJ to Kobe to Lebron and now KD!

Javale McGee will be player of the game

This1st game will be a blow out. The GSW will win this one by 20 points plus. Javale McGee will be the X factor of this game

Lebron James' legacy and status as the greatest is really in threat. LBJ is 3-4 in the NBA finals. He is in danger of losing the next 3 finals. He is not at the apex of his career he is on the decline. The Cleveland Cavs don't have draft picks or money for free agents. Cleveland will have the same team again, while the Warriors are getting better and younger. If the King wants to eclipse Air greatness he has to win the next two of the next three finals including this one. Very tough task for the King.

Will the Cavs win tonight or will Boston tie the series up?