Pre-season in sports is the time for unbridled optimism. Players and coaches play the greatest hits — everyone’s in shape, everyone’s feeling great, everyone gets along, the coach’s system is smart and innovative. The team is committed to defense and playing the right way.
Sometimes, the players and coaches mean what they’re saying. Sometimes it’s merely a recitation of The Cliches.
Here’s my advice — pay less attention to what they’re saying and more to what you see happen on the court. If the two match, great. When they don’t, believe what you see.
With all that in mind, here’s a quick guide to watching a game and understanding what you see:
- Don’t focus on the ball.