Former Pro Helping Lead Kansas Basketball

The University Daily Kansan, Max Rothman

http://www.kansan.com/news/2012/mar/13/manning-guidance/?sports

There’s a tall, hallowed figure in Lawrence who has cast all that he knows about basketball on young, raw athletes with big dreams. He’s done it quietly. The bench is his perch. What he preaches then blossoms on the court. It’s not loud and doesn’t shine from the video board. This man, Danny Manning, somehow descends into the background in this town.

Manning is well-known in these parts. Under coach Larry Brown, he averaged 24.8 points per game as the root of the “Danny and the Miracles” championship team in 1988.

Coach Danny Manning gives advice to junior forward Thomas Robinson during the Nov. 11 game against Towson at Allen Fieldhouse. The Jayhawks were chosen as the No. 2 seed in the NCAA Midwest region.

After 17 years, seven teams and two All-Star appearances in the NBA, he joined coach Bill Self’s staff. For the past nine years at Kansas, he has bestowed wisdom from his basketball trials to sculpt young men into the best players they can be. Manning, a former power forward himself, naturally specializes in teaching the big boys. Junior forward Thomas Robinson is his greatest current pupil.

“We thought if the cards fell right, he could have a tremendous year, Manning said. I can’t say I saw a potential Player of the Year candidate.”

And that’s the thing with development. If you know how to teach it all — the sweat, the patience, the dedication — potential can morph into excellence and sometimes Player-of-the-Year candidacy.

As a freshman, Robinson was consistently frustrated with his 7.2 minutes played per game. Now, as a junior, the Big 12 Player of the Year with NBA eyes watching his every move, Robinson averages 17.9 points and 11.8 rebounds in 31.6 minutes per game.

Manning was there for every step.

“I like to share with them the different angles and different ways to create post position, Manning said. I think it all starts with footwork.”

Self has spent years molding his scheme into one that allows post players to touch the ball on nearly every possession. Manning develops these post players so they learn to attack defenses like jackknives instead of butter knives.

“We hear it’s not about speed, but getting the move right and making sure it works, Robinson said. My whole thing is being more patient on the offensive end. Everything slowed down for me. With that came better footwork.”

Practices with Manning aren’t rushed and busy; they’re rhythmic and calm, designed to repeat a move and ensure it’s taught correctly.

“We try to do multiple drills at the same time to create awareness, Manning said. To create a sense of knowing that when I’m on the court, there are nine other players on the court out here with me. Where are they?”

Self and Manning share a belief that players should have basic options in their head. This avoids an overload of thoughts and rigid, mechanical play.

With the ball, you can…

1. Shoot over your shoulder, right or left.
2. Face the defender and drive to the hoop, shoot or pass.
3. Set a screen and roll to the inside or pop to the outside.

“We’ve kept it more so bare bones, Manning said.

All steps require an understanding of the opposition’s defensive sets. Improvisation is often necessary, but Self and Manning’s simple method, combined with endless practice, has changed Jayhawk after Jayhawk.

Cole Aldrich, a huge, lanky center from Bloomington, Minn., played 8.3 minutes per game in his freshman year at Kansas. He worked with Manning and became a two-time Big 12 defensive player of the year.

Marcus and Markieff Morris, two superb talents from Philadelphia who once had unidentifiable positions, also worked with Manning. Marcus was the 2011 Big 12 Player of the Year. Markieff has only gotten better as a pro with the Phoenix Suns.

All three were drafted in the first round of the NBA draft; Aldrich in 2010, the Morris twins last spring.

It starts with coach Self’s system, Manning said. He has a system that puts big guys in a position to be successful for many, many years.”

Manning won’t shout it, but he might have something to do with it, too.

Former Pro Helping Lead Kansas Basketball

The University Daily Kansan, Max Rothman

http://www.kansan.com/news/2012/mar/13/manning-guidance/?sports

There’s a tall, hallowed figure in Lawrence who has cast all that he knows about basketball on young, raw athletes with big dreams. He’s done it quietly. The bench is his perch. What he preaches then blossoms on the court. It’s not loud and doesn’t shine from the video board. This man, Danny Manning, somehow descends into the background in this town.

Manning is well-known in these parts. Under coach Larry Brown, he averaged 24.8 points per game as the root of the “Danny and the Miracles” championship team in 1988.

Coach Danny Manning gives advice to junior forward Thomas Robinson during the Nov. 11 game against Towson at Allen Fieldhouse. The Jayhawks were chosen as the No. 2 seed in the NCAA Midwest region.

After 17 years, seven teams and two All-Star appearances in the NBA, he joined coach Bill Self’s staff. For the past nine years at Kansas, he has bestowed wisdom from his basketball trials to sculpt young men into the best players they can be. Manning, a former power forward himself, naturally specializes in teaching the big boys. Junior forward Thomas Robinson is his greatest current pupil.

“We thought if the cards fell right, he could have a tremendous year, Manning said. I can’t say I saw a potential Player of the Year candidate.”

And that’s the thing with development. If you know how to teach it all — the sweat, the patience, the dedication — potential can morph into excellence and sometimes Player-of-the-Year candidacy.

As a freshman, Robinson was consistently frustrated with his 7.2 minutes played per game. Now, as a junior, the Big 12 Player of the Year with NBA eyes watching his every move, Robinson averages 17.9 points and 11.8 rebounds in 31.6 minutes per game.

Manning was there for every step.

“I like to share with them the different angles and different ways to create post position, Manning said. I think it all starts with footwork.”

Self has spent years molding his scheme into one that allows post players to touch the ball on nearly every possession. Manning develops these post players so they learn to attack defenses like jackknives instead of butter knives.

“We hear it’s not about speed, but getting the move right and making sure it works, Robinson said. My whole thing is being more patient on the offensive end. Everything slowed down for me. With that came better footwork.”

Practices with Manning aren’t rushed and busy; they’re rhythmic and calm, designed to repeat a move and ensure it’s taught correctly.

“We try to do multiple drills at the same time to create awareness, Manning said. To create a sense of knowing that when I’m on the court, there are nine other players on the court out here with me. Where are they?”

Self and Manning share a belief that players should have basic options in their head. This avoids an overload of thoughts and rigid, mechanical play.

With the ball, you can…

Shoot over your shoulder, right or left.

Face the defender and drive to the hoop, shoot or pass.

Set a screen and roll to the inside or pop to the outside.

“We’ve kept it more so bare bones, Manning said.

All steps require an understanding of the opposition’s defensive sets. Improvisation is often necessary, but Self and Manning’s simple method, combined with endless practice, has changed Jayhawk after Jayhawk.

Cole Aldrich, a huge, lanky center from Bloomington, Minn., played 8.3 minutes per game in his freshman year at Kansas. He worked with Manning and became a two-time Big 12 defensive player of the year.

Marcus and Markieff Morris, two superb talents from Philadelphia who once had unidentifiable positions, also worked with Manning. Marcus was the 2011 Big 12 Player of the Year. Markieff has only gotten better as a pro with the Phoenix Suns.

All three were drafted in the first round of the NBA draft; Aldrich in 2010, the Morris twins last spring.

It starts with coach Self’s system, Manning said. He has a system that puts big guys in a position to be successful for many, many years.”

Manning won’t shout it, but he might have something to do with it, too.