Family Sports Life Today

...with the loss of Pete Newell today.

 Please leave your thoughts and best wishes for Tom and his family in the comments.

- Jay and Guy
FamilySportsLifeToday.com

July 4th, 2008...Happy 4th to all...I hope you're day is safe and filled with the essence of an alder-smoked rib or steak that made you enjoy the weekend...Me? Well, let's see...the Karma gods or gremlins "blessed" me with a GREAT start last night to the long weekend...I gotta call from my son, Chris (Bo), informing me that our car was stopped at Exit 49/Castle Rock off I-5 with a V-belt in shreds...Hmmmm, I said to myself, this is sounding like a baadddd start to a nice weekend...He and his Mother, my wife, Elaine, were returning from visiting our daughter, Ashleigh and her son, Carter and his father, Brian...Everything was "onkee doree" and that of course is what I call the "Beach Warning...be careful!!"...Needless to say, I ended up driving down I-5 to pick them up and return them to home...the car of course being towed back to Longview, awaiting the fateful return of a certified mortician-mechanic to begin his assessment of the damage done...I got a chance to "look" at the car before we returned to Seattle...Fortunately, there wasn't any collateral damage to the rest of the engine (as I could see "it": radiator damage, hose connections, oil residues), so, in one sense, I was relieved...Now, I'm trying to figure out how to get back down there next week and pick it up...plus, this really puts a cramp in my plans, as our Best Effort Camps begin in Seattle next week for the next 5 weekdays straight...Somehow, I figure there's a "reason" for this latest experience, so it probably means I'm about to meet someone new, or learn a new lesson along the way...but...I gotta tell you: it ain't a whole lotta fun drivin the corridor between here and PDX...

Okay, on to another memory link from this week: The beleaguered Sonics and the demise of political figureheads as sports enthusiasts...I read with great interest and intrigued, the commentary by Jerry "Heizah" Brewer and Stevie "FullofWonder" Kelly...Man, those two Cats were clinical pathologists in another life, trust me, 'cause their "reads and writes" were some of the best reflections I've read in a long long time on the Sonics issues...

Am I sad? Am I indifferent? Am I disappointed? Am I pizzed off? Am I depressed? Am I angry? Am I ambivalent? Am I ______? Well, let me tell you my true thoughts on this subject...After being in the NBA as a Front Office executive (Pacers Director of Player Personnel/Asst. GM '84-86), Asst. Coach on the bench in Seattle ('86-'90), New Jersey Nets ('90-92) and the Dallas Mavericks ('93-94), I learned this much about the NBA: it's truly a BUSINESS ONLY, there is no allegiance to fans in the stands...UNLESS you're the Lakers, Celtics and Knicks...I mean, really, did you ever think that being in the Far NW, that NYC would be interested in "what" the paying fans felt (not the corporate entities who STOPPED supporting the retention of suites and sponsorships) ...I mean, afterall, that the NBA is FANtastic, 'cause Dyan Cannon tells me so....ooops that was in the late '80's...Then of course when the Celtics finally broke down and introduced Ladies with Bodies Dance Corps to rival the team (keep in mind, THIER record was one of the 3 worst in the League over the last 10 years!!!), Uncle Red Auerbach couldn't take it anymore and ASKED to "get me outta here....now....what's this league comin too?"...and HIS wish was granted...As for the Sonics faithful, I have a poem for you, an Ode to the Sonics so to speak, that perhaps will reflect upon the past and remind one of the future when it comes to sports...                                          

                                                  An Ode to the Sonics Past        

The Team was introduced to the Northwest as an Expansion...

Little did anyone know that over 40 years later...

It would become a "relocation"...

The Sonics became a treat and a favor...

For many diehard fans who needed pro sports beyond television...

Embracing future Legends as adopted children in an everchanging NW culture...

It was only when Sir Lenny became Head Coach that the Sonics would complete their mission...

Only to lose the status and confidence of many as a Team contending for renowned "stature"...

Oh how I revel in my reflections of the many practices and games that filled my daily life as a Sonic...

From Xman, Dale, Nate and Tommy to the arrival of Shawn Kemp and the success of George Karl...

And yet, upon reflections, I see now that those memories and respect is no more than Historic...

You see, my friends, fans and former players, your life was a void, filled with minutes of joy and angst...

From "sweet" 3s by Ellis to the steals by The Glove and the slams by the Reign Man...

No one, and I mean no one can ever take away the heart and soul of the modern Sonics team...

The voice of Kevin Calabro, his resonant reminders of spectacular plays as smooth as Lake Chelan...

And yet, we ALL feel betrayed, abandoned, disjointed from the rest of the basketball world and dream...

No more Rookies to assess...no more Free Agents to critique...no more Squatch...no more no more...

Do we rise up and speak our peace? Do we take up arms (sans High Fives) and demonstrate against this reality...?

Or do we learn from this lesson in life when it comes to sports: "in the end...it's not about the outcome or score..."

It has everything to do with money, money, money, money...and in that realization you will always find mortality...

I thank the Sonics and the many players and friendships I've made over the years when we moved here many years ago...

And I will always hold high the notion and heartfelt love and experience that we were ONE...Team and Fans...Thank you!!

Okay, enuff of that sentimental stuff...shoot, next I'll be eatin Quiche or something fluffy like that!!

I've been busy, and it seems I'll be busier than a worker bee lookin for a new hive...I hope my New Balance sponsorship over the last 5 years will continue to support our community service endeavors this summer...I received an email 3 weeks ago telling me that "we have re-structured our model and we are pulling back from branding and community oriented programs such as yours...this due in part to the economic issues that have affected the National economy today..."...Hmmmm, by my account, I'd say MORE people are going to be BUYING more tennies than NOT when you see the Gas prices going up each week...Shucks, one can get at least 5 thousand miles on a pair of NB Cross Trainers walkin to work, no?? Anyway, wasn't expecting "that" email notice and now I gotst to scramble and figure out how we're going to finish strong and positive to the end of our camps...

I've missed YOU ALL and my fingertouches on the laptop, and it seems that you have also, as there have been many readers who have emailed me and wondered if I was "ever" going to write again...I apologize...It's true: "absence makes the heart (for writing) grow fonder..."...So, let's see if my inspiration towards your desire to read my rants and what nots on a Scorecard will continue more regularly than recent non-posts...

Take care, hope y'all are having a GREAT SUMMER...Big Shoutout to Kristen O'Neil!! Booohlyah!! She just signed with the Storm and let me tell you: she has a "MOTOR" for the game and will bring a special presence to this team before the season ends...I've had the pleasure of being a teacher in her later basketball career at the UW and Euro league to work with her on her game...She works harder than ANY female player I've ever worked with, and that includes Jackie Stiles, who at the time was off the charts when I was an Asst. coach with the Portland Fire, WNBA, '02...She can play 3 positions defensively and offensively, not afraid of ANY matchup assignment and role that Coach Brian Agler dictates...If you haven't checked out this year's team, do so...they have one of the best coaches in basketball in Brian Agler, and the collection of talent on this team this season, if healthy to the end, have a chance to do something that NO OTHER Pro team has ever done in Seattle: WIN TWO Championships!!! Go Storm!!  All the Best, God Bless, Coach tom

Monday afternoon...day after camp...

Okay, so this much I know: I'm intrigued by the travel opportunities that basketball has provided me on my journeys...I mean, I was in China in January, Vladivostok, Russia in February and now Fairbanks, Alaska in June...Wow...

I am here assisting a former Sonics player who is a very close friend of mine, Clemon Johnson...We've known one another through our association with the Sonics back in the day when I was an Assistant Coach on the bench with Bernie Bickerstaff ('86-'90)...Clemon is one of those uniquely talented ex-players, who has quietly gone about gaining the necessary experience and understanding as a basketball coach by taking himself to the "Top of the World", Fairbanks, Alaska, as Head Men's Basketball Coach of U of A, Fairbanks...

This will be Clemon's 2nd season in Fairbanks, and he is as excited as a proud Papa awaiting the "birth" of his 2 child in 5 months...He will have 8 new players on his squad, his recruits, and return only 3 lettermen from the season before...

Why am I here? Right now, we've just completed the Position Camp for the last 3 days on campus, and it went very well...We had around 16-17 players, boys, ages 13-17 and varied level of skills...some terrific, some not-so-good, but all possessing a willingness to want to be taught and learn something new about how to improve their skills and game...I am blessed because when we're on the court, the kids really come to life, eager to execute properly and most definitely getting "stronger" when they miss layups...That's because Coach Newell has a rule: "You miss your layups with no defender on you...What happens when you play in a game WITH a defender?...Right, you miss it worse!!"...The "reminders" I use to help them focus better on this mis-skill: pushups...5 for each layup missed...Yesterday, lil Oba, all 5'4" of him missed 8 layups during our drills...I slide up to him and ask him: "Oba, how many pushups do you have to do today?...He goes "I've got 40 coach and COUNTING..."...So I told him he has 2 hours to do his layups and he smiles a relief of salvation from having to do them all right then and there...So fast forward here, we're 5 mins. away from practice being over and we're finishing up and come together as a team and break...Oba comes up to me and thanks me for helping him and I acknowledge his gratitude and tell him to be sure to get his rest tonight...He said he will "after" he gets through doing his pushups: now it's over 60!! I tell him that he worked very hard today and that his effort more than made up for his missed layups, BUT he must work very hard NOT to miss as many tomorrow as he did today...He's so excited, one, because he doesn't have to do the pushups, and, two, because he knows that this ol coach "likes" him as a player, even though the ball is bigger than his face and an Alaskan Hound is longer than he is on all fours!! I love Summer Basketball Camps...the kids are wonderfully bright and excited for the daily event and usually there are 3-4 kids that just stand out in their personalities and application...They're usually the "Lil Caboose" that can't make it up the Hill who end up reminding me why I love to teach this game...Their eyes and eagerness to learn far surpass any disappointments and distractions the older players may cause me, because the lil fellers are trying so hard to do the drills the right way...God love them...what a treat to teach!!

Monday, June 9th...afternoon...Team Camp begins in 3 hours...looking forward to seeing the "talent" up here...Shucks, if I were a high school player playing soccer, basketball, football and/or baseball, I guarantee you I'd be outside until midnight every night playing, practicing, etc....I mean, think about it: outdoors with the sun shining until 1 in the morning!!?? YOU HAVE TO LOVE THAT ENVIRONMENT, and I would imagine that I'll be seeing some interesting play over the course of the week...Stay tooned, I'll fill y'all in the observations...Coach tom

 Update:  The local newspaper had a story announcing the clincs at http://newsminer.com/news/2008/jun/10/newell-slates-hoops-camp-all-coaches/. 

Our upcoming symposium, "Expectations with Revelations:  An Insight into Intercollegiate Recruiting..." will be broadcast live over the Internet.  People who cannot attend the event in person should go to

www.FamilySportsLifeToday.com/tv

to watch on Saturday.  The program will run from 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM Pacific Daylight Time.

If you have the latest Adobe Flash Player, you should be able to watch the video.  This is a free download.

Before the symposium, parents also should fill out our survey.  See www.FamilySportsLifeToday.com/survey

April 6, 2008...Sunday afternoon...

I LOVE the Final Four...no, I LOVE college basketball in March and April as it truly defines teams' characters, courage, resiliency, hope, and the ability to push through adversity, no matter what the score is...

Watching UNC's demise last night on TV, was a painful exhibition and had to take Coach Williams breakfast and lunch and make it feel like a Maytag Washer on the Bering Sea...As a Coach, you always hope and pray that your players are mentally "ready" to compete, NOT JUST PLAY, and I got the impression that Carolina was ONLY ready to play, not compete until it woke up after halftime...I mean, imagine: 40-12 during Kansas' first half run, and in between the TV's and Carolina's timeouts during this tsunami-like offensive wave by the Jayhawks, Carolina had no answer...they were just flat outplayed...WOW...WOW!!

So, what do you do as a coach or parent directly affected by such a blowout and wonderment of confusion being associated with a team that's getting blow out (and TRUST me, as a Coach, parent or friend, you WILL experience this as a spectator or bench member)? Find the Arena's engineer and ask him to "pull the plug" for 5 mins. on the scoreboard and clock...The other suggestion, would be, to a more-than-usual exhorting to the players on the court with some heavy lovin encouragement...Seriously, think about this: if I'm playing and as a team I "overhear" someone in the stands callin for the " HazMat team to come in quick 'cause there's something definitely "unknown" goin on down on the court and someone NEEDS to check it out...", and I look at the scoreboard and then to the sideline, and all I see are coaches who are noticeably "balder" than before the game started (heads down) and then my head's up observing family and friends in the stands, and they've all got that expression of "Children of the Corn" look, well, trust me, if I hear screaming and yelling of positive encouragement NO MATTER WHAT, that's enough to get me through the "storm" and pick the energy up for myself and teammates...That is what happened to Carolina towards the end of the 1st half, they got some positive "love songs" from their fans and bench and closed with confidence... That run and the 2nd half run was reminiscent of Coach Dean Smith's great Carolina teams of the past...I wasn't surprised, and would not have been in shock IF the Tar Heels pulled off the greatest comeback in Final Four history...Why? Carolina has great, no GRRRRREEEEAAAAAAT basketball tradition and legacy paving its way in all competitions related to ACC lore and NCAA Big Dance games...Anyway, it was really fun to watch the energy and competitive matchups from both teams...

UcLA...hmmmm, that game did not surprise me in the least...I am not a big "fan" of Darrin Collison and he proved me "why"...As a "lead guard", one must take the responsibility of getting your team into the offense and directing the spacing on the floor as an "extension" of the Head Coach...That is what a "lead guard's" responsibility is and always will be...Somewhere along the way, during the 2As, he missed that chapter, paragraph, discussion or email, unfortunately, because he did not rise to occasion as his teammates did...The biggest GRIPE I have today at all levels of basketball is when a Big Post has position inside with a Defender playing behind him, THEN PASS THE FREAKN BALL to him and let him go to work: QUIT DRIBBLING and dominating the ball for 15 seconds, going from one side of the court to the other...I'm sorry, I don't get that at all...The one thing that I will always remember about Magic Johnson and John Stockton is that they truly kept the offense in the "flow" and kept the game simple in the half court with their decision-making and execution...UcLA did not have a clue on spacing, angles and proper execution to get the ball into the best passer on the team, young blood Kevin Love...He is truly a remarkably gifted young student/athlete for UcLA...I love his verve, his basketball quotient is "Bird-like", his love for the game is "Magic-like" and more importantly he HAS FUN playing the game...Wow...I did however feel that his back was bothering him early on in the 1st half (mid) as he did not run the floor nor move like he normally does, and his "pained" expressions during dead ball situations were obvious signs to me that it would be a long night for Kevin and his kidneys matching up with Dorsey and company...Let me say this: I certainly hope that Kevin stays at UcLa for another season, as he is one of the most wonderful models for ANY and ALL level basketball players today UNIVERSALLY speaking, and even though he is a bona fide Pro, there is no guarantee that he would end up with a veteran-laden team that would take the pressure off of him and he would develop accordingly...Having this young man on college TV hoops next season would encourage Dads to sit and watch with their sons and daughters how simple this player makes the game with his footwork skills, passing touch, and shooting the ball facing and back to the basket....plus he's not too shabby on defense either: block shots and rebounding both ends...

Memphis is the real deal...Coach John Calipari is one of the true teachers of the game today...he learned under Larry Brown back in the day at KU, and has been a student of the game ever since...He had the short lived experience of coaching in the NBA a couple of seasons after his first Final Four appearance with Marcus Camby and UMass years ago, and I think that experience alone (NBA Nets), helped him see what a coach can do with exceptionally gifted athletes...I'm tellin you now: that team could run with a lot of current NBA teams today...yeah, that good...Their point Guard Rose? WOW!! His feel and demeanor for the game is off the charts and he will soon be spoken in the same breath with Wade, Nash, Kidd and Chris Paul, who is a remarkable lead guard today in the League...Seriously, I haven't seen a better guard (Point) in college the last two years than this young man (19 years old)...He has a chance to be one of the "future" Stars of the NBA whose illuminations and success stories have yet to be written...

I have really enjoyed being home again in our beautiful country...I am so proud to be an American and have the opportunities to represent my country through basketball, you have no idea...The China experience was a terrific stay as was the Vladivostok, Russia clinics and visit...Know this, basketball is a peaceful medium, means, and an olive branch that melds all the differences, both political and religious to a level of respect and friendships that we can all appreciate and cherish forever...And I do...

Take care, more to come this week...BIG ANNOUNCEMENT coming in two days...A "must" for Parents and their student athletes to attend...There's NOTHING LIKE THIS provided here in the NW...FREE...FREE...Coach tom

March 3, 2008...San Diego, California...

I am blessed to have this opportunity to be with my family and visit my father, Pete Newell, 92 years young, over this past weekend and tomorrow night's festivities of him being honored into the San Diego Hall of Champions program...He once was the General Manager of the San Diego Rockets before they relocated to Houston...He is very excited to be able to "live" this experience tomorrow night and we're so happy that he is with us now...Should be fun...

Now to the "heading" aforementioned...I am really REALLY concerned about the level of play that I have witnessed recently in high school basketball, both boys and girls at the 3A and 4A levels...First off, why is it that kids don't know how to make a correct CHEST PASS, BOUNCE PASS, OVERHEAD OUTLET PASS, PUSH PASSes, left hand/right hand? Why is it that kids don't understand that once you pass the ball YOU MUST MOVE WITHOUT IT or you might as well hold a Polaroid Camera and take pictures of the plays 'cause you're NOT a part of the motion any longer...Why is it kids don't talk on defense or anticipate helping a teammate when they get beat one on one? Why is it kids don't block out in late February when you know the coaches have taught them in October? Why is it kids hang their heads when they come out of the game and don't accept the fact that they're NOT helping the team with their mistakes or ineffective play and cast a dirty look at the coach or want to SIT at the end of the bench? Why is it kids who do start and then come out don't "cheer" their teammates who are still on the court competing for the TEAM? Why is it that some kids LOOK to the stands for support of their parents when they can GET ALL the support in the world from their coaches and teammates? Yeah, I'm BACK and not a "Happy Hooper" with the model I see on the courts today...Y'all need to listen to my podcast and hear my rant and suggestions to overcome the negativity that is surrounding our game today at the interscholastic levels...If I "stir" your emotions, good...If you think I'm "losing it"...you better have someone "film" you in the stands and YOUR son/daughter when they play or sit, then we'll see who's "losing" it...I am really upset at this time with what I see as a terrible slack-state of fundamental skills in interscholastic basketball in the NW...The "hype" that is being put upon young people today in newspapers and magazines, is unfortunate and setting up kids and parents for a "free fall" that is bungeecordless and doomed for a "post mortem" on one's high school basketball experiences IF the "expectations" are unfulfilled...Those of you, Parents, Coaches (all levels), Student Athletes and Administrators who KNOW me and my passion for the game, realize that I speak from my heart and trust me, my heart is hurting after watching basketball over the last three weeks in the NW...Listen to the Podcast to hear my feelings if you dare...Nobody ever said "Oral Medicines" were "sweet tasting", and trust me, this "prescription" is not sweet, BUT can HELP overcome the "nausea" that you (parent(s), student athletes, administrators and coaches) felt after the last defeat that eliminated you from District, Regionals, State and in State Finals...

Now I feel a whole lot better after getting that OFF my chest...thank you!! Okay, where do we go from here...Stay tooned, as I have a couple of events coming up for announcement that may or may not interest the parents and their student athletes...a Novel approach once again on my part to share with Family Sports Life Today in the NW...

I am soooooooooooo happy to be back in the NW and with Family and Friends...I thank you each and every one for emailing me over the last several months, encouraging my weblogits, and of course keeping me posted on your lives as well, on and off the court...Drive safe, buckle up and all the best, God Bless...Coach tom

Without the following people providing support and volunteer help, the "For the Love of the Game" event would not have been possible. Thank you for being a part of history.

Mr. Scott Rerucha, The Legacy Group, President, Title Sponsor

Mr. Pat Leonard, Qwizdom, inc. Coordinator, Support Sponsor

K&G Investments, Support Sponsor

Mr. Jon Wise, New Balance Shoes and Apparel

Mr. Alden "Audie" Foote, Graphic Artist and Design Coordinator

Mr. Daniel Jahn, End Zone Athletics, Strength and Conditioning Coach

Mr. Dave Burroughs, Security Director/Advisor

ShowRoomLabor.com, "Caretakers of the Game" Plaque, Mr. Nick Beerman, Proprietor

Mr. Larry Stone, Coordinator of Platform Construction for Elevated Basket Stanchions

Mr. Bob Llewellyn, Spalding Basketballs "Project 11" Commemorative Balls

Metropolitan Grill, Gift Certificate for Event

Jak's Steak House, Alki, Gift Certificate for Event

Mr. Kevin Regan, Quality Business Systems, Inc.

Mr. Marty Hillis and the GREAT TEAM at The Ram, U Village

Silver Cloud Hotel, U Village

Watertown Inn, Seattle

Coach Joe Callero, Seattle University

Coach Jeff Hironaka, Seattle Pacific University

Mr. Chip Lydum, Facilities Director, University of Washington

University of Washington Event Management Staff, Facilities Staff

Coach Brett Brungaard, Strength and Conditioning Coach, UW

Ms. Jennifer Radcliffe, ATC, UW

Mr. Brandon Miller, UW Team Manager and Scorer

Mr. Bryce Currie, Volunteer Assistant

Mr. Greg Peters, Student Athlete, Northwest University, Kirkland

Mrs. Jan Jorg, Volunteer

Mr. David Hallingstad, Volunteer

Mr. David Spear, Volunteer Photographer/Coordinator Extraordinaire

Coach Ernie Woods, CybersportsUSA, Statistical Data for Event

Mr. Todd Kozinka, Planet-Hoops.com, DVCoach Analysis for Event

The "One and Only" venerable, Smitty from Athletic Supply

Mr. Al Cox, Al Cox Signs

Mr. Dan Vetras, Talisma, Support Sponsor

Coach Marv Harshman, Hall of Fame UW Coach

Coach Lorenzo Romar, UW Men's Coach

Coach Tia Jackson, UW Women's Coach

Mr. Frank Smoll, PhD, Sports Psychologist, UW

Mr. Ron Smith, PhD, Sports Psychologist, UW

Coach Stan Morrison, Athletics Director, UC Riverside

Mr. Jeff Compher, Senior Athletics Director, UW

Mr. Bill Hogan, Seattle U., Athletics Director

Mr. Tom Box, Seattle Pacific University, Athletics Director

Charles E. Robertson, Senior Lecturer, Emeritus, Physicist

Coach Billy Rodgers, Sonics-Storm Community Relations Director

Ms. Karen Bryant, Sonics-Storm, Senior Vice President

Coach Bob Hill, Consultant to Event

Coach Pete Newell, Consultant to Event

Coach Bill Fitch, Consultant to Event

Mr. Jim Fisher, Actor, playing Dr. James Naismith

Mr. Shane Johnson, J & R Woodworking, Co-builder of Platforms

Mr. Terry Sayers, Foundation to Finish, Co-builder of Platforms

Mr. Scott Takeda, sirkit.com, Video Producer

Ms. Diondra Perry, Production Assistant

Mr. L.T. Arnold, First Aid / EMT

Bob Schmitt, Oppenheimer & Co., Bellevue

FSN: Bill Kcazaraba, Tim McQuillan, Jon Bradford, Pat Brown

KJR SportsRadio 950: Rich Moore, *** Fain

Seanboy Perry, Director of Towel Boys under baskets

Patrick Hillis, Team Attendant

Northwest Harvest Food Bank: Darla Weideman and Staff

Special thanks to Coach Newell's "step up" student athlete volunteers who made this even possible.