Game 3: Bullets vs Darth Vader

Okay, we just had a terrible loss, Michael and Ricky are hurt and can't play, Achilles Ricky and I have hand and ankle injuries, but I'm going to guarantee a win on Sunday.

Our victory will be on Sunday, April 30, at Sheung Wan (上環體育館) 9-10 pm.

Let's dominate the boards with our size and athleticism- even if the shots aren't falling this time, we can still get a lot of points on putbacks.

Box score vs Daemon, and Wednesday practice

The box score is here: http://www.hkmbl.com/modules.php?name=2006Schedule&func=gamedetail&gid=35

Don't look at it too long, or you might get depressed. One thing that sticks out though, is that we let that short team out rebound us. Hit the boards, guys!

Also- reminder: Practice, Wednesday, April 26th, at North Point, 8-11 pm. We're working on a couple new things for offense, that we used pretty well on Monday.

Disaster, First game recap, and practice

Daemon - Yesterday's game was simply a disaster. There's really no excuse for losing to that sorry team, and hopefully we won't play down to the level of our opposition again.

I'll take the blame for the stagnant offense- I did a lot of standing (and dribbling) around on the perimeter, and it was hard for anyone to get open. Next time lets forget about any offensive set, and play to our strengths. We need to move without the ball more and pass more, instead of dribbling so much. Everyone should try to get position or get open rather than waiting for the passer to find you.

On the bright side, our defense worked pretty well. We had some lapses, but I think once we get the new guys more familiar with it, we should be fine. Plus, I don't expect us to miss so many freethrows next time- we should definitely keep attacking and getting to the line.

City - The official recap of our first game is up on the league site, with photos.
http://www.hkmbl.com/modules.php?name=News&new_topic=9

Practice - We have access to indoor gyms a couple times this week. Tonight (monday Apr 24) and Tuesday in Wanchai 9-11pm (http://www.pbase.com/hkeba/image/17619588), and Wednesday at North point 8-11 pm. I'll be going definitely tonight and Wednesday- not sure about Tuesday.

Next Game: Daemon 4/23, 7-9 pm

Our next game is against Daemon, on Sunday, April 23rd, at North Point arena, 7-9pm

Location: The place is 渣華道體育館 in North Point, near the MTR. The address is:3/F., 99 Java Road, North Point, and its off MTR exit A1.

Map: http://www.pbase.com/hkeba/image/17619536/original

Roster: Michael is hurt, so playing in his place down low will be his friend, Kendrew. Andy may or may not make it back to play in the game, so our rotation might be short.

Scouting report: Their main offense comes from a guy who wears jersey #4. If he's on your side, try not to leave him open and don't let him shoot 3's. Below, are his stats:
http://www.hkmbl.com/modules.php?name=2004_mbl_player&func=player&playerid=460
(login: Charles password: password)

#27 can also shoot.

Gameplan: We will play the 1-2-2 Zone trap from the start, to disrupt them and try to get some steals. (See here: http://bullets.blogspot.com/2006/04/wednesday-practice-games.html) When we go big off our bench, we'll switch to the traditional 2-3 zone defense. Also, lets try to stay out of foul trouble this time by playing D with our feet, rather than reaching in.

Last time we played them (as HKEBA Exec), Andy killed them inside, as they don't seem to be a physical team. So we should try to work the ball around until it gets to our guys in the post. See the "simplified offense" post below to see how we're set up. Also, our post players should remember to CRASH the boards. Let's pound them down low.

Practice and offense

Practice today, Wed, Apr 12th at Wan Chai Sports Centre.

New simplified offense- Swing the ball while standing like this:

Until we get the ball to either Ken or Andy in the (hi-lo) post. And then everyone can do whatever the heck they want.

Wednesday Practice Games

Update: We're going, starting from 7pm rather than 9pm

Pickup games at Sheung Wan, Wednesday, April 5th from 9-11. Let me know if you're going..

Last Wednesday we ran our offense and defense pretty well, and dominated, despite blowing a lot of open shots and fast breaks. On offense, we learned by staying in a 1-3-1 and getting the ball to the high and low posts got everyone open shots and layups. On defense we shut down the other team by covering the gaps in the 1-2-2 zone. This was done mostly by the weakside wing defender.

If we're trapping the ball on the right side, the wing defender on the left moves to the free throw line to deny the high post. Vice versa for the left side.

If the ball goes into the corner, post defender runs out to cover, while the strong side wing defender covers his spot under the basket and boxes out for the rebound.