Welcome to the 211 new readers of The Basketball Academy.
This is the day you become a better player or coach.
Today’s Basketball Academy takes 3 minutes and 3 seconds to read.
Here’s what we’re serving up:
🏀 #1 - Favorite thing we heard 🎧
🏀 #2 - Favorite skill we learned 🎥
🏀 #3 - Must Add Action ✍️
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"Creativity and adaptability are inseparable." — Robert Greene 🎧
During the filming of "Forrest Gump," director Bob Zemeckis realized he had a problem: The kid cast to play the young Forrest had a thick accent—sounding nothing like the way Tom Hanks was portraying the adult Forrest. Hanks' simple solution would define the iconic character: "Bob said, 'We got a problem here, you have to teach this kid how to talk the way you talk,'" Hanks says. "And I thought, 'Why don't I just talk the way he talks?'" The kid was from Mississippi and had a thick Southern accent. The iconic Forrest Gump accent and mannerisms were simply a result of Tom Hanks imitating the kid.
Takeaway 1: The iconic characterization of Forrest Gump was a solution to a problem. Creativity is often forced out of necessity like this. For instance, the iconic POV scenes in Jaws were also a solution to a problem: the mechanical shark broke. So director Steven Spielberg had no choice but to film the movie without his main character.
Takeaway 2: One of the hottest actors in Hollywood, Hanks could have demanded they find another kid or that the kid figure out how to sound like Hanks. Instead, Hanks adapted and adopted the kid’s speech and mannerisms.
Basketball Tennis 🎥 🏀 🎾
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We tried this game out at our practices and the kids LOVED IT!
Simply put, it’s a different way to work on footwork, fingertip strength, vision, lateral quickness, and cleverness!
We challenge you to make simple changes to your practice and have FUN with it
Shoutout to Alex Samara for the assist!
Must Add Action ✍️
💥 FAU Actions 💥
Owls do a great job of overlaying actions to force the defense out of position.
😂
Sad day for all Ted Lasso fans as the series has finally concluded. If you haven’t watched, stop reading and watch now!
Three reasons why Ted Lasso is one of the greatest shows of all time:
Strong Writing and Humor: The writing in Ted Lasso is clever, witty, and heartfelt. The show balances humor and emotion exceptionally well, delivering poignant moments alongside laugh-out-loud comedy. The humor is often character-driven, relying on clever wordplay, situational comedy, and well-timed jokes. This writing prowess contributes to the show's enduring popularity and wide appeal.
Cultural Impact: Ted Lasso has had a significant cultural impact, sparking conversations and inspiring countless fans. Its positive depiction of sportsmanship, teamwork, and personal growth has resonated with viewers worldwide and an overall sense of community among fans.
Positive and Uplifting Message: At its core, Ted Lasso promotes a message of optimism, kindness, and empathy. Despite facing numerous challenges, Ted Lasso, the titular character, maintains an unwaveringly positive attitude and treats everyone with respect and understanding. This optimism and decency are infectious, creating a feel-good atmosphere that resonates with viewers and sets the show apart.