“Report” with quotations because I have no idea what I am doing... anyhoo, here’s what I noticed.
1) The Team: Extremely young group, extremely athletic, only beginning to learn how their styles complement each other.
2) The Coaches: They all take after Beard. What makes them all so great isn’t just the Xs and Os (sorry - football guy here), it’s that they are such genuinely nice, normal guys. Every single one of them, even GAs. These are not the typical empty suits that many coaches seem to be. These are everyday guys who also happen to be basketball geniuses. Kids want to play for them AND to be around them off the court. That’s why recruiting is so easy for them.
3) The Culture: it is being instilled from the very beginning. Even though his was a true exhibition tournament with a bunch of new faces, Culture remains the same. It all starts with Beard, and it trickles down through assistant coaches, GAs, student managers, support staff, and players.
Check out these four videos. See how all players and coaches are linked arm in arm during every single timeout; look how intense Beard is in the moment; watch the bench as they all celebrate a put-back; watch the bench call out players to get back on defense. This was only the second time these guys have played together... in August at a resort tournament in a ratty old gym. This is why Tech is a basketball school. Culture and Process. Beard is shaping the team into a family.
4) The Officials: This is an interesting note to me at least. I chatted with a local who is familiar with all of the officials who worked the games. There was one official who is respected as a FIBA guy, and is essentially a pro at it. The rest of them not so much... for example, the heavier white official in the first game is the anchor for Bahamian TV news. My take? DO NOT QUIT YOUR DAY JOB.
5) TL/DR: if you don’t like basketball, here is a bit of local culture to soothe you...
1) The Team: Extremely young group, extremely athletic, only beginning to learn how their styles complement each other.
2) The Coaches: They all take after Beard. What makes them all so great isn’t just the Xs and Os (sorry - football guy here), it’s that they are such genuinely nice, normal guys. Every single one of them, even GAs. These are not the typical empty suits that many coaches seem to be. These are everyday guys who also happen to be basketball geniuses. Kids want to play for them AND to be around them off the court. That’s why recruiting is so easy for them.
3) The Culture: it is being instilled from the very beginning. Even though his was a true exhibition tournament with a bunch of new faces, Culture remains the same. It all starts with Beard, and it trickles down through assistant coaches, GAs, student managers, support staff, and players.
Check out these four videos. See how all players and coaches are linked arm in arm during every single timeout; look how intense Beard is in the moment; watch the bench as they all celebrate a put-back; watch the bench call out players to get back on defense. This was only the second time these guys have played together... in August at a resort tournament in a ratty old gym. This is why Tech is a basketball school. Culture and Process. Beard is shaping the team into a family.
4) The Officials: This is an interesting note to me at least. I chatted with a local who is familiar with all of the officials who worked the games. There was one official who is respected as a FIBA guy, and is essentially a pro at it. The rest of them not so much... for example, the heavier white official in the first game is the anchor for Bahamian TV news. My take? DO NOT QUIT YOUR DAY JOB.
5) TL/DR: if you don’t like basketball, here is a bit of local culture to soothe you...
Last edited:
