Interview with Men's Head Coach Scott Flemming: "We have the right people in place to grow basketball in India"

You have repeatedly stressed that your focus, as well as that of your predecessor Kenny Natt, has been on the defensive end, where you have worked on developing India’s individual and team defensive skills. The results are obviously showing. In the recently concluded SABA qualifiers, India’s smothering defense is what led them to wins in both the games, restricting the opponents to less than 50 points. It’s a beaten to death cliché that defense wins championships. However, looking ahead to FIBA Asia, defense alone is not going to do it for us. Most of our current offense (in the SABA qualifiers) has been generated in transition (where our defense led to easy fast break points). Against the stronger FIBA Asia opponents we will not get as many transition opportunities. You had told me in an earlier interview that the focus is now on developing our team’s half court offense. The final training camp before the FIBA Asia championships in early August has commenced in Delhi (June 21st to Mid July). Do you think just one month of focus on half court offense is enough to make a difference in the upcoming FIBA Asia?

In deep discussion with Jora Singh, India’s defensive coach. Many of India’s recent wins have been credited to the effort on the defensive end. Copyright: Gopalakrishnan R

Since the first week of training camp, we have been working hard on our half court offense. It is important to develop an effective transition game but you are correct in that teams need to be able to score in the half court against the better opponents. We have implemented our main continuity offense but we have also added multiple half court sets. It is important to be consistent in attacking in transition not only to try to score easy baskets but to cross the half court with as much time as possible on the 24 second clock. Defense is so important because it can keep you in games when the shots are not falling. I have been asked if I am an offensive coach or a defensive coach. I have always responded “both”. They are both very important to be successful.

Miami Heat is the newly crowned 2013 NBA Champions. Everybody recognizes Miami as Lebron James’ team. Throughout the history of championship winning teams, there has generally been that one superstar player at the centre around whom the rest of the role players have revolved. Apart from the current Miami team, other examples are Kobe and the Lakers, Jordan and the Bulls, Hakeem and the Rockets. You have been with the Indian team for over 9 months now. Who are your go to guys in the clutch, who are the role players, and who are your ‘glue guys’ i.e. the guys that socialize and keep everybody’s spirits up in the team?

We have proven scorers such as Vishesh Bhriguvanshi, Amritpal Singh, Narender Grewal and Joginder Singh, but we have other young players that are developing into scorers as well. Of course, Yadu is our vocal leader, but we have other players that are taking on that role as well. Although we are still finalising the roles of individual team members, we have young players such as Amjyot Singh and Vinay Kaushik that will have a greater role than they have in the past.

Is the Indian team from the SABA qualifiers going to remain unchanged for the upcoming FIBA Asia tournament, or are you looking for a few new faces? Are there any injury concerns with some of the players?

It will primarily be most of the same players. We do have a few back in camp competing for spots as they were not able to attend the last camp because of their involvement with the 3 X 3 team or academic responsibilities.

A lot of people, when they think of a Head Coach’s job, they envision a white board with a series of X’s and O’s. But beyond basketball strategy, a Head Coach’s job is in many ways highly management oriented, where you have to delegate work and ensure smooth functioning between your assistant coaches as well as be on the same page with your Strength and Conditioning Coach and his team of physiotherapists. Describe the challenges and experiences you have had working with your coaching staff.

I have two great assistant coaches in Jora Singh and Prasad Rama Linga. They are very knowledgeable and we work well as a team. I have learned from them and hopefully I have been able to influence their coaching. We are very fortunate to have Zak Penwell as a Strength and Conditioning Coach. He is outstanding in his field and he will play a big part in the advancement of our national team program at all levels. The book he has written is something that all of our players should take advantage of, especially when they are back home between camps. We have the right people in place to grow basketball in India.