June 19, 2014
COACH JOHNSON
Congratulations to new Central 9th Grade Head Football coach Steve Johnson!!!!!!! Good luck Steve
But, make sure this doesn’t interfere with your radio duties!
CENTRAL’S WEEKLY SPORTS SHOW
The Central Sports & Business Report airs tonight, 5:30pm—6:30pm, broadcasting live from Johnny’s Pizza House, Wax Road, in Central, on WPFC, 1550AM, Baton Rouge and on the Internet at JonFineProductions.com. Guests scheduled to appear include CHS Asst Football Zack Morris along with Central HS Senior football players Corey O'Bear, Ben Averrette and Jaylon Turner.
BROADCASTING SCHEDULE:
Thursday, June 19: 5:30pm—6:30pm… with Steve Johnson … broadcasting live from Johnny’s Pizza House in Central
WPFC, 1550AM, BR
Internet: JonFineProductions.com
SportsRadio 1310 Radio, Lake Charles Programming of Interest (also heard on KEZMOnLine.com:
Saturday, June 21: 9AM—10AM: All Things Football with Scott Holtzman
Monday, June 23: 8AM—10AM: The Locker Room with John Goodman and Jim Gazzolo
WE THANK YOU FOR DOING YOUR UTMOST TO PATRONIZE SPONSORS OF OUR PROGRAMMING. THIS HELPS US TREMENDOUSLY IN SUSTAINING OUR WEEKLY LINE-UP AND WILL ASSIST US IN ADDING MORE PROGRAMS IN THE FUTURE. KINDLY MAKE AN EFFORT TO LET SPONSORS KNOW YOU HEARD THEIR BUSINESS MENTIONED ON OUR BROADCAST(S).
THE WIZARDRY OF OS
Assistant Basketball Coach and Head Swimming Coach at Central High
The Spurs are really good. Though they made it look easy against the Heat, it is not easy. If it was easy, they would have played this way last year and won last year. Also, if it was that easy, they would have romped in their other series as well. The match-up with the Heat played a factor. The fact the Heat were not challenged in the east played a factor in the Spurs winning the last three games in blowout fashion.
Other teams that want to have the sustained success of the Spurs need to notice a few key components. They don’t overpay for players like the Pelicans did for Eric Gordon. The Spurs develop their own players like no other organization in the NBA. Parker, Diaw, Leonard, Green, Mills, Splitter, and others have gotten better over time as they play for the Spurs. They don’t have “busts” because of their player development. The final key component is they have found talent to fit their system from all over the world.
Let’s focus more on this year’s team and why other teams simply are not capable of duplicating their style of play.
Everyone knows the Spurs are deep, but what makes their depth special? The Spurs have many players that are skilled and smart. That means those players can play a variety of styles. Players in the NBA have become too specialized. There are too many “shooters”, “slashers”, “defensive stoppers”, “energy guys”, and not enough basketball players.
Many of the Spurs players grew up learning the game in countries outside the U. S. The benefit for those players is other countries emphasize the skills of the game and how to play the game in youth basketball. In our country, players play AAU basketball which emphasizes physical domination. Get “up in” your opponent and force them to make mistakes. On offense, “take” your man. Players are not taught fundamental skills or how to play together.
Another explanation is we are in an era of specialization. MLB pitchers can be specialized. Bring in one left hander to get out the left handed batter. Managers can control that match-up. The NFL loves pass rushing specialists, deep threats, and run stuffers. Football coaches can also control their match-ups to some extent.
The problem in basketball is that the game flows. Offense to defense and back. There are no huddles. No twenty second breaks (or longer) from pitch to pitch. The NBA has tried to make the game more specialized with isolation plays and the relying totally on the pick and roll. But, the Spurs showed that there can be so much more to offensive basketball. That you can flow from one offensive concept to another within each 24 second possession as long as the ball doesn’t “stick” in one players hands.
What makes LeBron great is that he can play offense, defense, inside (though I am amazed he STILL hasn’t developed a post game to the point where the Heat would have him post up players like Kawhi Leonard), outside, shooting, passing, and rebounding. Too many of his teammates are limited in their skill set, and that is why they were crushed by the Spurs.
The Spurs as an organization provide a blueprint, but the team does not. In the NFL, everyone cannot become the Seahawks overnight. It is a mistake to try to become the team that won it all. The Spurs did not try to become the Heat after last year’s loss. How could they? There is only one LeBron James. Instead, the Spurs focused on being better at what they already do well, and it took the spurs a long time to become who they are as a team and organization. Almost nobody in professional sports has that time or patience.
The brilliance of Gregg Popovich is that he has been able to do what he has done with the same organization over a long period of time with many different players. They have built, adjusted, and rebuilt over his time there. The other Spurs championship teams did not move the ball like this team did. Due to changes in NBA rules, this team didn’t defend in the same style as other teams. Popovich and the Spurs have been able to adapt within a great organizational structure and as a result they are once again World Champions.
HEY REF
In hate clichés so with that said let me start this week’s column by saying “it’s time to put up or shut up”. For the second time this month the Baton Rouge Football Official’s Association (B. R. F. O. A.) is hosting a semi-formal gathering at Goodwood Library Sunday June 22 at 6:00pm titled “Football 101”.
In our effort to introduce high school fans to the basics of football on Friday night the public is being invited to an open discussion on rule differences and for those that feel they have what it takes a signup sheet will be available for those wanting to give working football games a try. Individuals must be a high school graduate, be in good physical shape and must pass the annual rules test to work sub varsity games.
Usually new recruits “cut” their teeth on BREC, 9th grade and JV the first year. Once a candidate has proven he’s up to the challenge then they’ll be given a shot at varsity games but only after putting in the work and a command for the mechanics of working in a crew setting.
It would be a disservice to say once you’ve signed up you’ll be calling 5A varsity games your first couple years. It is more of a disservice to the players and schools to do that but if you work hard and can make a split second decision and stand up to the call you’ve made then by all means give referring a try.
And now onto the two big goings on in the world of professional football this week that we must pay attention to. First New Orleans’ tight end Jimmy Graham has his protest of being paid as a tight end being heard by the powers that be. NFL terms of the CBA states that your position is defined by 2/3 of the plays you participate in. No doubt his ability to play multiple positions has paid dividends to the Saints.
I will say of all the players in today’s game he’s the one player that does earn every dime he’s paid. And that’s what sets him apart of the other spoiled millionaires in the pro ranks. New Orleans is definitely trying to pull an end run on Graham and will be doing the fans wrong if one of the deserving is screwed out of the cash he’s owed. With that said there’s nothing more to say or write on this subject.
My #2 story is the fact that our Supreme Court has handed down a ruling that will again put pressure on Dan Snyder to change the name of Washington’s franchise. They have ruled the team’s name isn’t copyrighted protected. So this means that Snyder won’t be entitled to all the monies from everything from jerseys, T-shirts, etc.
The Redskins WERE registered in 1967 but this hasn’t kept those with a political agenda from trying to get the name changed. The “Politically Correctness” left say the name is derogatory to Native Americans. But I see it as just another attempt by those with a political agenda to try and subject the entire country to their socialist views.
Our country is going to Hell in a hand basket (sorry for another cliché’) and the real problems we have need addressing. Those with a problem in the name of a football team should divert their time, money and efforts to those without.
Those without homes, jobs, food for dinner and money to pay the rent are above all the areas where our nation is lacking in trying to improve. And that’s where I’ll end this week’s column; with the hope that we start looking at ways to improve the living conditions and the standard of living of all Americans.
Till next week…
The Rotary Club of Livingston Parish
Rotary Bull
By Ivy Graham
“Service Above Self”
Please visit our website at www.rotaryclublp.org.
This week’s meeting:
• This week’s meeting will be held at Big Mike’s. Fellowship begins at 11:30. The meeting is from 12:00-1:00. This week’s “Who Am I” speaker is Mr. Joshi. Hopefully he will give us all a pronunciation lesson on saying his first name; otherwise, we will all continue to call him “BJ”. As our only international member, I am certain we will learn many exciting, new, and international things. This could be our most Rotarian meeting EVER! I know no one wants to miss that!
Last week’s meeting:
• Bobby Fletcher educated all of us about plants and the importance of cooperative farming. He also explained to us a secret many of us learned through a Whitney Houston song, “I believe the children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way.” Yep! The secret future and success of farming whether that lies with pond gardens, urban gardens, organic gardens, or traditional farms is the education, techniques, and excitement we instill in the next generation. Crazy deep stuff being learned at Rotary!
• Our club has a brag jar. Better bring your dollars folks!
• Supply list for animal shelter was distributed. We need a builder!!!
• Veteran’s house is done!
Upcoming Events/Projects:
• Currently selling raffle tickets. Sell! Sell! Sell!
• Ronnie Millsap concert 7/11
• Wine Tasting 7/25
Note from the President:
• June is Rotary Fellowship month. How many fellowships are there? Is there any fellowship that might interest me? How do I get involved? I bet this month we will be able to answer all of those questions and more!
Guest Speakers and General Membership Meeting Dates:
• June 27 – Officer Induction Ceremony
• July 11 – Guest Speaker, Casie McMurray
• July 18 – Isabel Casas, Ryla attendee
• July 25 – Guest Speaker, Public Service Commissioner
• Aug 8 – Guest Speaker, Livingston Parish Arts Council
• Sept 12 – Carl Herrick, Sandler
• Oct 10 – Patrick Brauchamp, Estate Planner
Brags:
• Our Ryla candidate was shipped off to camp and will return (to our club) with a report on July 18th!
• Leesha Gleber offered up a special thanks to all of our guests this past week. We were so happy to have you attend our meeting!
• Happy Father’s Day to all the dads in the club!
• Keith Stark has yet another job opportunity looming
Does he want the job of Scout Master? No one knows, but this will be the first publication to deliver the news!!! Stay posted for more to come;)
• Jon Fine is running for Rotarian of the Year. He has this club’s support 100%. Go Jon Go!!!
• Huge Congrats to our Rotarians, Curt, Abigail, Heather, Trey and Leesha! You have graduated from the Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Program. You have done this club proud. You’re RockStars!!!
• Leesha Gleber sent a big thanks to all Rotarians who helped to make the Redneck Regatta such a huge success. Thank you Rotarians for selling drinks and marketing the club!!!
• Tray Sanders won Above and Beyond Award with the Chamber of Commerce for his efforts in his group project. After his “who am I” this came as no shock to our members. Trey really is superman (shish! I wasn’t supposed to tell!)
• Keith Stark is still looking for new clients. He is ready to take on any marketing/drafting project. Nothing is too big or too small – Keith can execute it!!!
• Heather Pitarro announced NorthOaks will be opening a new clinic in Denham Springs by Magnolia Bridge Road. It’s extremely exciting to have another NorthOaks facility in our backyard! I almost want to be sick… almost.
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Members:
• Your quarterly dues have been distributed. Please kindly and timely submit your payment to Lisa Casas.
• Shirts for sale only $7.00 for members. These things are selling like hotcakes!
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JON IS PROUD TO WORK AS A MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE FOR SPORTSRADIO-1310-KEZM-LAKE CHARLES, IN ESTABLISHING THE “DOLLAR A HOLLER” MARKETING PROGRAM AND HELPING SELL SULPHUR HS FOOTBALL BROADCASTS AND BARBE HS BASEBALL PLAYOFF BROADCASTS.