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This Week’s Hoop Heads Podcast Episodes
RON KING – PUTNAM VALLEY (NY) HIGH SCHOOL BOYS’ BASKETBALL HEAD COACH & FOUNDER OF KINGS BASKETBALL – EPISODE 1192
Ron King is the Head Boys’ Basketball Coach at Putnam Valley High School in New York. He is also the Founder of Kings Basketball, an AAU and player development program which he started in 2008.
King previously coached at the collegiate level at Plattsburgh State and at Kennedy High School in New York. He is known for teaching the Triangle Offense originated by Tex Winter and used by Phil Jackson to win 11 NBA Titles with the Bulls and Lakers.
TYLER WHITCOMB – GIVE WITH HOOPS: TURNING BASKETBALL ANALYTICS INTO FUNDRAISING IMPACT – EPISODE 1193
Tyler Whitcomb is the founder of Give With Hoops, a groundbreaking initiative that fuses basketball analytics with modern sponsorship. Built for teams who see data as opportunity from AAU programs and high school programs to college powerhouses. By tying on-court performance directly to community and sponsor engagement, Give With Hoops helps programs raise more while deepening support from those who believe in the game.
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This Week’s Coaching Articles
Can an old school offense like the High Low or Flex work in today’s game?
By Give With Hoops - Tyler Whitcomb
The game of basketball continues to evolve every season. Players today grow up studying highlights, three point spacing, and quick pace transitions. Yet there is still something pure and effective about an offense built on structure, patience, and player movement. The question is not whether the old school offenses like the High Low or Flex can work in today’s game, but whether players and coaches have the discipline to commit to them.
Bill Self built a powerhouse system at Kansas using his 3 out 2 in High Low offense. It balanced modern spacing with traditional post play, demanding precise execution and timing. It created toughness and forced teams to guard multiple actions on every possession. That kind of continuity wears on defenders, forcing them to grind out every play rather than chase quick stops and runouts.
The Flex, with its constant cuts and screens, still teaches players how to read the game. With a few updates—deeper spacing, more ball screens, and freedom to shoot early if the defense collapses—it could be devastating in a world where defenses are used to guarding isolation and pick and roll.
The real challenge is buy in. Players love pace, highlights, and the freedom of modern systems. Convincing them to see the beauty in movement and structure takes time and belief. Communities want excitement too, but winning has its own thrill. Maybe the future of basketball will find a balance between old and new, between structure and freedom. If that happens, the High Low and Flex will not just survive, they will thrive again.
This article explores how difficult conversations and honest feedback are central to building a culture of accountability in sports teams, illustrating this through examples of coaches like Tuomas Iisalo publicly confronting players such as Ja Morant. It emphasizes that while “brutal honesty” can sometimes motivate and clarify expectations, it must be paired with trust, relationship building, and understanding individual personalities to avoid backfiring. The article also highlights that true accountability often stems from emotional connection and mutual standards within a team, not just from harsh criticism or confrontation alone
This article explains that true shooting consistency comes from a repeated, reliable process, emphasizing consistent mechanics, purposeful repetition, and quality over quantity in practice. It outlines practical steps such as developing a repeatable setup, using cue words to anchor technique, and tracking progress with measurable feedback so players internalize good habits. The article also stresses the importance of combining skill work with decision-making drills that mimic game-like conditions, ensuring that improved mechanics transfer to real competition.
This article outlines key traits and actions that define effective leadership in basketball, such as leading by example, communicating clearly, and maintaining accountability both during games and in daily routines. It emphasizes that true leaders don’t just talk; they consistently demonstrate work ethic, emotional control, and a team-first mindset that inspires others to match their standards. The piece also stresses that leadership is learned, not just innate, encouraging players to develop confidence, decision-making skills, and the ability to positively influence teammates through poise and consistency.
This Week’s NBA Articles
As the NBA trade deadline approaches on Feb. 5, 2026, every franchise will need to evaluate its roster and strategy, asking questions such as whether the Dallas Mavericks might trade Anthony Davis and what it would take for the Milwaukee Bucks to move Giannis Antetokounmpo. With nearly every player becoming eligible to be dealt, front offices will begin serious discussions about improving for a playoff push, retooling for the future, or accumulating assets, and teams’ approaches will differ widely based on their place in the standings. These decisions will not only impact this season’s title race but also shape long-term trajectories, as executives balance short-term upgrades against draft capital, cap space, and roster flexibility.
This article ranks the top 25 NBA players under 25 years old for the 2025-26 season, highlighting a new generation of young talent that is already impacting the league and shaping its future. It profiles rising stars based on performance, potential, and influence on their teams, showcasing how young scorers, playmakers, and versatile big men are no longer just prospects but key contributors. The list emphasizes that these players are not only integral to their own teams’ success but will likely be foundational pieces in the coming years as the NBA evolves.
This article highlights how the San Antonio Spurs made a statement on Christmas Day, asserting themselves with strong offensive execution and team cohesion that underscored their rising status in the Western Conference. It also points out that the Los Angeles Lakers continued to struggle defensively, allowing opponents to shoot at high percentages and exposing ongoing issues despite plenty of practice and coaching emphasis. The article spotlights both standout performances and concerning trends, particularly the Spurs’ growing confidence and the Lakers’ defensive inconsistency.
This Week’s College Basketball Articles
This article argues that Baylor’s decision to sign former NBA draft pick James Nnaji, who was selected 31st overall in 2023 and has never played in an official NBA game represents a shocking escalation of the current pay-for-play/NIL era in college basketball. Busting Brackets It suggests that allowing a player with NBA draft status to revert to college eligibility undermines the original intent of NIL rules and could seriously distort competitive balance. The article warns that without clear NCAA guidelines, this precedent could trigger further unprecedented moves, further blurring the line between professional and collegiate sport.
This article discusses the controversy surrounding Providence head coach Ed Cooley’s one-game suspension handed down after an on-court altercation, analyzing whether the punishment was sufficient given the intensity of his conduct. It presents arguments from critics who believe the NCAA should impose harsher penalties to deter future incidents, as well as voices who think the sanction fits the context and history of the coach’s behavior. Ultimately, the article highlights the broader debate about consistency and fairness in disciplinary actions within college basketball, especially when high-profile coaches are involved.
This article explores the idea floated by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver of holding future NBA Cup Final games in iconic college basketball arenas, suggesting venues that capture history and atmosphere beyond the usual neutral-site setting. It highlights five storied gyms including UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion, Butler’s Hinkle Fieldhouse, and Penn’s Palestra that could add nostalgia, fan energy, and unique character to an NBA in-season championship game. The piece argues that shifting the Cup Final to such historic venues could deepen fan engagement and honor basketball’s rich traditions while creating a fresh experience for players and audiences alike.
This Week’s YouTube Coaching Videos
The Defense That NO One Can Score On
This video breaks down the X's and O's, defensive concepts, and players behind Kelvin Sampson's defensive scheme. Including the Cougars' "blitz" ball screen coverage.
Auburn Basketball Iverson Cut Series | 3 Plays with Diagrams & Game Footage
This video breaks down three plays from Auburn’s Iverson Cut Series, a classic action named after Allen Iverson that flows into multiple scoring options. This series is a staple in modern basketball, helping guards get open and create advantages out of a 1‑4 high set.
Your Defensive IQ Has Never Been Tested Like This
This video introduces the Lockdown Defensive Perception Test — the first test built to measure how defenders see the game, not just how fast or physical they are. You’ll be challenged to predict what happens next in real on-ball situations, then log your answers to receive a free defensive perception assessment breaking down:
Anticipation
Pattern recognition
Personnel recognition
Situational awareness
It’s not just about how many you get right — it’s about which ones you get right, and what that reveals about your defensive instincts.
Are you seeing plays early — or reacting late?
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