Here are Coach Kannemeyer's 3 Keys to the Game:
Getting Back to the Basics
During the unprecedented 25-0 run by the Stingers on Wednesday, the Fraser Valley Bandits missed three layups and turned the ball over five times. All five of those turnovers resulted in wide open threes by Adika Peter-McNeilly and easy layups by Jordan Baker. The game was essentially over in the blink of an eye. The bleeding stopped following a Shaquille Keith post up bucket, but the internal bleeding continued until the final whistle blew at the conclusion of the fourth quarter. The Bandits' struggles are internal, their errors are not completely unforced, but there appears to be a blueprint to stop their offensive attack.
The Stingers pressured the Bandits at all levels of their offence. They pressed them in the full court, either with zone or man to man. During the run this led to inexplicable turnovers from Kenny Manigault against a 2-2-1 full court zone. In the half court the Stingers extended their defence beyond the three-point line by forcing the Bandits to make immediate decisions with the ball, which in their current mental state is proving to be difficult.
In order for the Bandits to counter an aggressive defence, there needs to be more ball and player movement. Perimeter players need to identify the pressure quicker and cut towards the basket to either create a scoring opportunity or vacate a perimeter spot that will subsequently open up a bigger driving lane for the ball handler.
Once in the paint, the Bandits need to make the simple play. No homerun passes, be ball tough against reaching over aggressive defenders and take the shot when it’s there. The Stingers have essentially simplified their man to man defence to its most basic form; prove you can beat us and our ball pressure or we will continue to gamble and fly around knowing that you will turn the ball over.
Assist to Turnover Ratio
Basketball isn’t a complicated sport by any stretch of the imagination and one of the most tell-tale stats that we have to paint a clear picture of outcome is assist to turnover ratio. On Wednesday the Stingers had 32 assists to 11 turnovers. The Bandits, on the other hand, almost executed the exact opposite of their opponent to the tune of 12 assists to 23 turnovers. This simply has to change if the Bandits have any hope in upsetting the Stingers and solidifying their place as the four seed in order to host a home playoff game.
But how? I alluded to it in Wednesday’s preview and as well, earlier on how to deal with an extended pressure defence. Decision making is one of the most important mental characteristics that can define a player's career. During the four game losing streak, the Bandits have fallen in love with some bad habits. Fake a pass to make a pass is one core value staple that every coach has said to their players at one time or another.
On the majority of the turnovers, the Bandits passes were unforced. More often than not, the Bandits ball handlers were predictable against the pressure. They saw a pass, they looked at it, they passed it with no ball fake or deception. To execute against the Stingers offensively, the Bandits will have to do a better job of taking what the defence gives them and using ball toughness and deception to make better reads against an overly aggressive defensive front.
Toughness
I’ve mentioned ball toughness and mental toughness, and both are essential to all facets of professional basketball. The last piece of the puzzle for Friday and the rest of the season will be the Bandits' ability to be physically tougher than their opponent.
Earlier in the season the team was tougher on loose balls than their opponent, winning every battle. They owned the defensive glass by executing physical block outs, hustling and anticipating the ball off the rim. They were ball tough, driving when they needed to drive, limited turnovers and were decisive on their passes.
Friday, win or lose, the Bandits need to get back to being the tougher team. Obviously it’s a huge part of winning, but more importantly for the team's psyche moving forward, it’s paramount to being competitive again.