HERE COMES THE JUDGE

Well as I have said in the past, it’s all about ‘Playing the Right Way’, right? Came across this article from Anthony Schoettle of the IBJ and they talk about the NBA and Myles Brand looking to get down to business and help our younger players learn the game.

The desire to bring structure to youth basketball development and to field improved teams for international competition is the driving force behind the agreement. For two years, the parties have been discussing a pact to develop year-round training programs for high school players and academies for elite players; conduct sanctioned cobranded youth leagues, tournaments and development programs for coaches and officials; and explore corporate partnerships that could pay for such sweeping initiatives.

Good luck with all of this, really. But it’s actually a simple solution to all the problems. Teach kids how to play. Tell the parents to sit in the stands and watch, and if the sneaker companies are going to shell out shoes and dough, spread the wealth.

It’s not too hard to teach kids to; pass, shoot, dribble, defend and be a good person.

Where is this not being taught?

I’m not going to waste time with writing letters to people about what to do but here’s an idea. Get an RV (like the ones ESPN has) and myself, Herb Welling and a few other basketball purists – give us the company gas card, a few gift cards to Applebee’s, a dozen indoor/outdoor balls, a few dozen t-shirts, John Madden’s driver and we’ll hit all the big cities across the country and teach the game.

We’ll pack up June 1st and go through the summer. We’ll pull up outside the Rucker on 155th. Then we’ll head south to Atlantic City (maybe we’ll stop off in Jersey City and take coach Hurley with us), we will not miss Philly; we’ll hit Atlanta, Orlando, the Carolina’s and make our way west.

We’ll hit all the schoolyards. Give us a bullhorn. Give us the resources and we’ll change the culture!

Oakland, Compton, Iowa City, Detroit, Chicago…we’ll go anywhere and everywhere!

PLAY THE RIGHT WAY!