NBA Vs FIBA BAll

September 24, 2019 Dr. Mark Robinson Blog archive, No Ordinary Blog

This summers FIBA World Cup wasn’t a wake-up call for the USA, it was a Shock and Awe for the world. I have never heard the USA make excuses for losing, so this was shocking to me. The other “teams practice more; they have been playing together for years; FIBA basketball is different than the NBA.” None of these excuses was present over the years when the USA dominated the international competition.

The experience of a seventh-place finish behind countries such as Spain, France, Argentina, Australia (who beat the USA in a friendly) Serbia and the Czech Republic. Should illustrate to the basketball community that athletic ability will no longer win games at the highest level. Fundamental basketball skill, tactics and teamwork all overshadowed athletic ability.

USA basketball needs to make a few fundamental changes or at the very least should consider the following:

Consider hiring Top European coaches as assistants.

The USA coaches were all American NBA or college-level coaches. Much was said about the lack of international experience of the NBA players. I would say the same discussion could be made regarding the knowledge of the coaching staff. Adding European coaches that know the FIBA game would give USA Basketball a tactical advantage.

Consider adding American players who are currently playing in the top Euro-leagues.

Americans have been playing in FIBA competition for decades. Some of them are good enough to be in the NBA but for many reasons are playing abroad and playing well. NBA scouts know who the best American players are in Europe. Its a matter of inviting the right guys to camp to see what they can do. But more importantly, giving them an opportunity to make the team.

Mark Robinson

Playing High School Sports: A 14 Step Process

December 23, 2018 Dr. Mark Robinson No Ordinary Blog

Does your child want to play middle school or high school sports? ?If the answer is yes or maybe then you should ask yourself these questions to see how many steps your child needs to take in oder to be ready to compete for a spot on the team. ?I usually ask the following questions:

Move?two steps if you want to play HS basketball.
Take one step if you played recreational basketball in the past two years.
Move?four steps is you have played AAU basketball.
Take Five steps if you work out individually with a basketball trainer for a year or more.
Move?two steps if you work out with a basketball trainer in a group setting for a year or more.

Dr. Mark Robinson is a personal development expert who helps highly competitive individuals excel in a highly competitive environment.

PPD MAG What’s Changed ?

December 19, 2018 Dr. Mark Robinson No Ordinary Blog

Since 2013 we have delivered news, articles, and videos regarding the personal development of athletes. In 2019 what has changed? The desire to produce more blogs, fewer articles and less interviews. As a result, we have revamped the look and feel of PPD MAG. We provide content convenient and a quicker. More importantly we had to analize athletes and non athletes personal development issues and challenges meeting the common denomnator.

In response to the request, more blog and opinion content on current events regarding the personal development of the athlete. As well as content on other highly competitive individuals from highly competitive environments. Money, power, and status are the common denominators for the athlete and an individual seeking to excel in a competitive corporate environment. Moving forward understanding the personal development of these individuals is part of the personal player development agenda.

A review of our visitor’s analytics pushed the 2019 revamp. Who’s reading our content and why? How long the average visitor actually spent on our site? Interest in PPD MAG original viewership is deep-rooted in the topics we cover. As a result the addition of a serious blog element on the personal development of highly competitive individuals. In-lines us with global players from all professions competing to be the best in a competitive environment.

Dr. Mark Robinson is a personal development expert who helps highly competitive individuals excel in a highly competitive environment.

Parenting the Middle School Athlete, Five Tips!

December 19, 2018 Dr. Mark Robinson No Ordinary Blog

Middle school is an important time for youth athletes.? It’s when the foundation and development of skills and understanding begin to take shape.? It is also at this time that key questions and decisions should be made. ?Is your child playing sport as a recreational activity? ?Is you child playing sport to inprove to make the high school team? Does your child want to play in college? ?Is your child playing sport because of mom and dad?

Ask your child if they want to play sport in college?

If a child wants to play sport in college. ?Parents should examine the High Schools in the local district. ?Do your homework on the program and coach. This means, find out how many players from the school have moved on to play college sports.? How many of those players played for the current coach?? Does the coach have connections or a network on the college level? ??Does the school have a quality strength and conditioning program?? What does the summer development program consist of? ?Attend a game or practice if necessary. ?All of the above activities will allow you to get a feel for what type of program and coach a child will become a part of.?

Review the policy and rules regarding attending the districts other schools.?

School districts have a policy in place regarding boundaries in a school district (if public) area.? You should familiarize yourself with these policies. Understand the reason certain districts allow kids from other boundaries to attend schools in that district.? Most school boundaries are in place for equal enrollment purposes, not athletic purposes. ?

Take time to review the academic advising or counseling department.

Speak to some of the counselors and find out if they have experience with the NCAA academic requirements and understand what classes athletes should be taking.? Also, find out if they understand the difference between NCAA divisions 1,2 and 3.

Find out what type of kids your son/daughter will be joining.

If a player is good enough to compete on varsity as a freshman parents should understand that player will be around older kids every day and this could expose a player to the ills of playing sports.? A freshman hanging around a senior is not always a bad thing but from a social standpoint, attending parties and being exposed to alcohol and drugs could be.

Ask yourself if you want your child to play in high school more than your child?

Sometimes as parents we want our child to be so successful that we forget it’s not about us it’s about the child.? If your child doesn?t want to play high school sports leave it and find another activity for them to enjoy.? Pushing your child to play sport will only damage your relationship.

Playing a sport on the collegiate level is difficult, and not many have the opportunity. Many parents leave the investigative legwork to others.? While some parents are not educated on the things that will provide their child with the necessary developmental aspects of playing in college.? If a child is willing to put in the effort, a parent need to make sure they are doing their part.

Dr. Mark Robinson?is a personal development expert who helps highly competitive individuals excel in a highly competitive environment.