Adam Fluck

As a young boy growing up in Croatia, Toni Kukoc didn’t attend camps like the one he hosted last week at the Bulls/Sox Academy.

It wasn’t necessarily because he lacked the opportunity. Rather, as hard as it is to believe, basketball wasn’t even on Kukoc’s mind until he turned 15.

“I actually played a lot of other sports—table tennis and soccer for a long time,” Kukoc recalled during a break in the sessions. “It was almost an accident that I got into basketball at all but fortunately it wasn’t too late and I was able to be a part of a great generation for the sport. As I started to get serious with basketball, my coach at the time was all about the fundamentals.”

It was many of the same fundamentals that Kukoc and the Academy coaches focused on during his five-day camp: shooting, ball handling, defense, free throws, and footwork.

“When I first started playing, we practiced nine hours a day,” Kukoc said. “Five and a half to six hours of those were working on the fundamentals. They didn’t care if you were 5-9 or 7-2, each player needed to be skilled to the point that they could bring the ball down the court, shoot, pass, dribble and move amongst multiple positions. It made a huge difference with respect to the development of my game.”

It’s the second consecutive year Kukoc, a three-time NBA champion, has hosted a camp at the Academy, located at 6200 River Bend Drive in Lisle, Illinois. Over 90 total campers attended with a morning session held for the six to ten year olds and an afternoon session for the eleven to seventeen year olds.

“Our goal is to make sure the kids are better Friday than they were on Monday,” explained Larry Stewart, General Manager of Basketball at the Bulls/Sox Academy.

Like Kukoc, Stewart and his staff believe in teaching the fundamentals. They also want to ensure the campers have fun, so they set up drills in contest formats. The top three children from each of their camps, which run throughout the Chicagoland area, earn the right to compete at a later date at the United Center.

“It’s a nice reward for them but it makes it even better to have Toni involved,” Stewart remarked. “He personally puts his hands on every part of what we do. He’s here every day, spending time with the kids and working with them. I couldn’t ask for a better opportunity to train these kids, but I know the kids couldn’t have a better opportunity to improve. It’s just great to be around a guy like Toni.

“It’s special to have him in the gym and last year he was the exact same way,” Stewart added of Kukoc. “It doesn’t matter whether a kid is five years old or he’s 16 or 17, Toni brings a consistent focus for all of them. In the case of the younger group, he understands that not only can they learn, but they can really develop and excel in the right environment. So he has fun with them. As they get older, you can see he pushes them a little harder, but in a good way. It’s amazing to see a guy who played at such a high level and enjoyed so much success to bring his expertise to our kids.”

Kukoc said his intent, aside from teaching some of the game’s basics, was to help the kids understand the proper way to play, noting that it is easier to assemble quality teams when you have skilled players who are fundamentally sound.

As the recipient of the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award in 1996, Kukoc understands the importance of knowing one’s role. While he was talented enough to start, coming off the bench was what his team needed and by fulfilling that role he significantly contributed to the success of a team widely regarded as among the best ever.

“It’s all about teamwork,” said Kukoc. “You’ve got to care about your teammates. Obviously the game is more enjoyable when the ball is shared and everybody looks for each other on both ends of the floor. Teams capable of working along those lines are going to be more successful. So we held a few drills where part of it is recognizing where your teammates are on the court. You’ve got to get them the ball in the right way at the right time. It’s about learning the game.”

Given the age of the campers, most weren’t even born as Kukoc, 46, wrapped up an illustrious 13-year NBA career. But each one in attendance donned a Kukoc t-shirt jersey with his name and no. 7 on the back. They could also look to the Academy rafters, where Kukoc is featured among the banners that highlight the six championships and Bulls stars from over the years.

“In a lot of cases, their parents have educated them in advance,” said Stewart. “It’s remarkable how much homework these kids have done on Toni. We’ve encouraged them to do that as well. We’re proud to have someone who played a key role on three NBA championship teams in our facility. At the same time, Toni stands for everything that we try to teach—he was a team player and fundamentally sound. He was a great passer, a great shooter, and just a great teammate overall.”

Whereas camps and programs are held year-round at the Academy, another highlight of the summer comes in early August, when two five-day camps will feature current and/or former Bulls players throughout each week. Player appearances are to be determined, but past guests have included Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson, Scottie Pippen, John Paxson, Randy Brown, Stacey King, Bill Wennington, Bob Love, and Sidney Green.

“It’s a 12-month operation at the Academy,” said Stewart. “We take off Thanksgiving and Christmas, but that’s about it. It’s not just basketball—we’ve got baseball, fastpitch softball, strength and conditioning, and the opportunity for children to come for field trips. Our goal is to train kids and teach them the Chicago Bulls and Chicago White Sox way year-round.”

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Campers train with champion Kukoc at Bulls/Sox Academy

Prior to the 2014-15 season, Jimmy Butler and Derrick Rose had shared time in the Bulls backcourt for only 273 minutes.

It’s a number that is now exponentially higher, given it totaled 1,062 this season alone by February’s All-Star break. Still, it’s hard to believe, in part because Butler and Rose had been teammates for three years when the season began, but also because of the collective effectiveness on display from Chicago’s point guard and shooting guard through the first round of the 2015 NBA Playoffs.

Butler led the Bulls in scoring in their 4-2 series win against the Milwaukee Bucks. He averaged 24.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.5 steals while shooting 47.6 percent from the field. Rose recorded 34 points and eight assists in Chicago’s Game 3 victory in Milwaukee, and he averaged 19 points, 6.5 assists and 4.3 rebounds in the series. So how did they get to this point?

Butler, a 6-7, 230-pound shooting guard, played sparingly as a rookie and it took time to work his way into the regular rotation. Once he got an opportunity to start as the 2013 postseason approached, he never looked back. This year, he earned NBA All-Star status for the first time and is a strong candidate for the league’s Most Improved Player award.

Rose, a 6-3, 210-pound point guard, has dealt with multiple injuries since being named the NBA MVP in 2011. After shaking off the rust earlier this season, he worked his way back to the point of being a consistent presence who leads and makes his team better. Though surgery in late February to repair a medial meniscus tear in his right knee sidelined him for 20 games, he returned for the final handful of regular season contests and has played at a high level in the playoffs.

As Gar Forman and John Paxson, general manager and executive vice president of basketball operations for the Bulls, respectively, both acknowledge, Butler and Rose are being counted on this postseason. Their belief is that after all the trials and tribulations, this duo forms one of the league’s most dangerous backcourts, and it was worth the wait.

When the Bulls opened training camp roughly six months ago, uncertainties surrounded Butler and Rose.

A regular starter for the first time in 2013-14, Butler averaged 13.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.9 steals. However, he shot a career-low 39.7 percent from the field.

Rose, meanwhile, returned to the court after his previous season was cut short by his second major knee injury, though this one not as serious as the torn ACL suffered in 2012.

Yet, knowing what they did about these players, both of which have been with the Bulls their entire professional careers, Paxson and Forman were optimistic about what they’d bring to the table in 2014-15.

“We had several unknowns heading into the season but we were also confident in what that pair could become given their work ethic and commitment to the game,” Paxson says. “It didn't take very long for us to see that they were going to be very good together.”

“We were always confident about how they’d fit together quite simply because good players can figure out how to play with other good players,” notes Forman. “They’re both team-first guys and that’s a real positive.”

While the Bulls understood Rose’s progression would be gradual—he improved from roughly 16 points per game in October and November to 20 a night in January as his minutes increased—Butler’s hard work in the offseason paid immediate dividends. In 15 November games, he averaged 21.9 points and shot 49.8 percent from the field.

“It’s difficult to sit out for as long as Derrick did and come back and be exactly where he was before,” Forman says of Rose. “We knew there would be bumps in the road. We just wanted to see improvement from Derrick throughout the year.

“As for Jimmy, no one is more thrilled for him than us,” Forman adds of Butler. “He’s become a terrific two-way player and very worthy of being of being an NBA All-Star. His determination and the work that he put into it has paid off in a big, big way and that’s a real positive for him and our team. His ability to shoulder some of the load, especially in late game situations, has been a plus.”

Whereas Butler was previously known for his defensive prowess, he now boasts an offensive skillset that makes him among the best all-around shooting guards in the league, Forman believes.

“Jimmy usually guards the other team’s leading scorer, so there’s a lot on his plate,” Forman acknowledges. “But he’s proven to be durable. He’s strong and he’s in great shape, so he’s up to that challenge each and every night.”

Paxson echoes Forman’s comments when it comes to Butler’s growth while stressing that among the Bulls’ top concerns this season has been to ensure Rose fits with the team and what it is trying to accomplish.

“Jimmy is a great story of determination and perseverance and his best days are ahead of him,” Paxson says. “It is very difficult for a young player to not play early in their career and keep the right attitude and approach because every player wants to be given the opportunity to show what they can do. Jimmy's attitude was that once he was given the chance he was going to prove his value and he certainly has done that.

“As for Derrick, we need him to play at a high level, but it is mostly about our team,” Paxson explains. “It is one of the great lessons I've learned over the years, having played on three championship teams. You need great players to win, but you also need everyone to play their part and come together.  It is about how the pieces fit, how they sacrifice and play together that ultimately determines who becomes a champion.”

As Butler and Rose have demonstrated, they are two pieces that complement each other nicely in Chicago’s backcourt. Both players possess great strength and physicality with the ability to put pressure on the defense in a variety of ways. They both play well in transition and off the pick-and-roll. And, when complemented by another wing capable of knocking down shots from the perimeter – whether it’s Mike Dunleavy, Nikola Mirotic or Tony Snell – it allows Butler and Rose even more room to operate and create.

Those are just a few reasons the Bulls are optimistic about their chances with Butler and Rose on the floor.

“Playoff basketball is always more physical and the intensity is heightened,” states Paxson. “To have two physical guards who can get their own shot and who can get to the free throw line can be extremely valuable.  If both remain healthy, we are very optimistic that they will give us a great opportunity to have success.”

“They’ve both been through it now, though not together,” adds Forman. “But like the majority of our core, they’ve gained from various experiences. We have a lot of confidence in our guys and we think with good health, they’ll continue to get better and have a real good rhythm as we compete in the postseason.”

In a season that began with question marks, the regular season and playoffs thus far have provided some answers. In part, that’s included even more confidence in the backcourt of Butler and Rose.

“We knew Jimmy was a very good player and we loved everything he brought to the table out of Marquette,” acknowledges Paxson, “but we didn't envision him playing at this level. He deserves all the credit in the world and we are very proud of him and happy for him.

“We hope to have Jimmy Butler in a Chicago Bulls uniform for his entire career,” Paxson adds. “I think that says it all.

“We are also proud of Derrick and how he has responded to everything,” Paxson continues. “Having played the game myself, I can't even imagine how difficult it would be to be out because of injury for the better part of two years. Derrick continues to find his way and there is no question that we are a much more dangerous team when he gets below the free throw line with the ball in his hands. He is still capable of creating a lot of problems for opposing defenses.

“With Derrick healthy and Jimmy's emergence, we feel we have one of the top backcourts in the league,” Paxson concludes. “They're both still young and that is very encouraging for our future.”

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Butler and Rose backcourt proving to be worth the wait

Pau Gasol and Joakim Noah have been stars on and off the court all season, and as the playoffs begin, the NBA is giving fans a way to recognize them for their incredible community contributions.  Gasol and Noah are among the 10 player finalists for the 2014-15 NBA Cares Community Assist Award presented by Kaiser Permanente, and the winner will be determined in part by a fan vote.   So please show your support for these two big men with big hearts by voting on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram using #NBACommunityAssist and #PauGasol and/or #JoakimNoah.  There are no limits to the number of times you can vote! 

Gasol made an immediate impact upon arriving in Chicago last fall, intent to continue giving back to his community with a focus on children’s health and well-being.  Gasol has made numerous visits to Lurie Children’s Hospital to spend time with patients and their families. Last month, he devoted an evening at the Ronald McDonald House near Lurie Children’s to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. He has also continued with his work as a Hoops for St. Jude ambassador.  Gasol and his brother, Marc, are also actively committed to their charitable organization, the Gasol Foundation, which empowers young people to live healthier lives. At the beginning of the 2014-15 school year, the Gasol Foundation launched Vida!, a health and wellness enrichment program, with the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools. Gasol has remained active in the program from Chicago by skyping into events and visiting during road games in Los Angeles. 

Noah has actively committed himself to taking a stand against violence through his work with the Bulls and his Noah’s Arc Foundation. His “Rock Your Drop: The Drop of Consciousness” movement supports those impacted by violence and encourages creative outlets for youth and young adults in the form of self-expression through sport and art. Noah and his foundation also produced an anti-violence video, “You’re Not Alone” and a public service announcement, “ChicagoStandUp”. He has further demonstrated his commitment through his ongoing participation with Youth Guidance’s B.A.M. (Becoming A Man) initiative. Noah and his foundation also work regularly with Major Adams Community Committee, which is located just a few blocks from the United Center and dedicates itself to mentoring and teaching at-risk students.

Noah was selected in February as one of the league’s seven monthly Community Assist winners during the season, while Gasol is among three additional players chosen by the NBA for the season-long award. 

From now through Monday, April 27, there are three ways to cast votes and there is no limit on how many times you can vote.  So vote early and vote often!

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NBA’s Community Assist Award: Vote now for Gasol and Noah!

The Chicago Bulls on Wednesday welcomed all Kia Educators of the Month from the 2014-15 season to the United Center for the team’s final regular season game to enjoy a special evening of VIP treatment, including a center court photo and pregame dinner.

As part of the Bulls’ commitment to youth education, the organization joined Kia in recognizing one teacher a month at a home game beginning in January for their hard work and achievements in and out of the classroom.

Each honoree received two tickets, an official Kia Educator of the Month award, Bulls and Kia promotional items, and $1,500 to be used for classroom supplies and improvements.

The Bulls want to again congratulate this season’s Kia Educators of the Month:

DonorsChoose.org is an online charity that makes it easy to help students in need.  Public school teachers post classroom project requests and you can support the project(s) that most inspire you. When a project reaches its funding goal, DonorsChoose.org ships the materials to the school. Contribute now to any one of this season’s Kia Educators of the Month:

Patrice Morris | Adam Dassow | Daneal Silvers | Mitch Mangoba

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Bulls welcome Kia Educators of the Month for regular season finale

It begins with a ball and a hoop. Many started out hoisting jumpers from their childhood driveway. Others shot around at the park down the street.

For all who play the game of basketball and aspire to someday be an NBA player, an extraordinary amount of talent and hard work is required. Possessing the ability to shoot certainly doesn’t hurt either.

But what exactly goes into being an elite shooter? Four members of the Bulls organization—one executive/former player, two veterans and one rookie—share their experiences, discussing the paths they took and what went into their respective journeys.

Every player has his or her own story and memories surrounding their early encounters with the sport.

For John Paxson, the team’s executive vice president of business operations, that meant shooting at a hoop his father, Jim Paxson, Sr., constructed on the side of their home in western Ohio.

“My brothers and I spent so much time out there that it got to the point where paint was literally chipping off the side of the house,” Paxson recalls. “So my dad put a standing hoop off the driveway. That’s where I learned to play and to shoot.”

Basketball ran in Paxson’s family, as John’s father played collegiately at Dayton. He was then selected third overall in the 1956 NBA Draft by the Minneapolis Lakers, one spot behind the legendary Bill Russell. After two seasons in the NBA, however, Jim Sr. walked away from the game to provide for his family, taking over his father-in-law’s insurance company.

Though he wasn’t an overly hands on presence with his boys, Jim Sr. regularly observed them playing and working on their game and one day he took a ten-year old John across the state line to Richmond, Indiana. It was there he met with Dick Baumgartner, a well-known shooting coach who with over 50 years of experience still conducts camps to this day.

“It was one of the first times I can remember thinking about shooting as something more than just picking up the ball and putting your hands on it,” says Paxson. “It really triggered something in my mind, learning how my hands should be placed and why. That’s how it went for me.”

When asked about his early experiences, Bulls guard Aaron Brooks is quick to refer to one of his greatest assets as a player.

“I was always fast,” notes Brooks. “When I was younger, I just went by people. I remember my cousin, Marcus, was the best shooter on our team when I was in third or fourth grade. He made me want to get a little better and work on my shot.”

Eventually Brooks got bigger and stronger. He realized he was a pretty good shooter too.

“I remember when I first started shooting, my follow-through was crossed and I didn’t have enough strength to get to the rim,” Brooks says. “As I got older and stronger and I worked more on my jumper. I started to get a little more lift to my shot. Everything got better.”

Brooks regularly worked with his uncle, who also served as one of his AAU coaches. He advised Aaron to simply get the ball over the front of the rim.

“I had a little hot shot machine and that helped a little bit too,” Brooks says with a smile.

The paths for Doug McDermott and Mike Dunleavy were perhaps a little more predetermined. Both grew up with fathers who coached the game at a high level, McDermott’s in Division I and Dunleavy’s in the NBA.

Though he’s settled in nicely at Creighton in recent years, Greg McDermott held coaching positions with five different schools previously and that meant a lot of moving around for his family.

Doug was born in Grand Forks, North Dakota when Greg was an assistant for North Dakota. Head coaching jobs followed at Wayne State, North Dakota State, Northern Iowa and Iowa State. Along the way, he imparted his wisdom of the game on his son, including the fundamentals of shooting.

“I pretty much grew up with the game,” says Doug. “I was at my dad’s practices all the time watching. I remember watching the other kids try and jack up threes. They really threw their whole body into it but my dad would never let me do that. He wouldn’t let me move too far back until I could shoot it from waist up. I guess I’ve always had a knack for shooting. It’s something that came naturally as I grew.”

Whereas in later years Mike Dunleavy Sr. would coach for four NBA teams, when his son Mike Jr. was born in 1980, he was still in the middle of his playing career as a shooting guard for the Houston Rockets.

“I was fortunate growing up to have a dad who was an NBA player and coach,” says Mike Jr. “He was a successful shooter in the NBA and someone who could show me, teach me and really help me with the proper technique and form.

“I had an idea at an early age I could be pretty good,” adds Mike Jr. “Some of it was natural hand and eye coordination. Once I started to get the right technique and form down, I got pretty good at it.”

Like McDermott, Dunleavy was a regular at his father’s practices. And like most shooters, he spent a lot of time in the gym with the ball in his hands. While he appreciates his father’s teachings, Mike Sr. never pushed too hard. He let the game come to his son.

“He let me come and go as I pleased and fortunately, I fell in love with the game,” recalls Mike Jr. “He was so involved and he loved it, too, so basketball was something we shared. He would often suggest things or give me hints, but I never felt pressured to play basketball from my dad.”

One way or another, for Paxson, Brooks, McDermott and Dunleavy, the foundation was laid at an early age. With the fundamentals in place and a love of the game in their hearts, the next step was to take basketball more seriously.

Fine-tuning their shots by putting in the work

As they grew, they also became students of the game. Each learned in their own way, but all at times focused on players who they tried to emulate.

Paxson kept a close eye on Notre Dame’s Austin Carr and Purdue’s Rick Mount. Dunleavy studied Chris Mullin and Mark Price. Brooks paid attention to various West Coast players, Dunleavy included, and others from his hometown Seattle, such as Jamal Crawford. McDermott’s grandpa is a huge Celtics fan, so he loved old Larry Bird highlights, as well as Ray Allen.

Ultimately though, each player knew that if they were to have aspirations of taking their game to the level of those they admired, it meant putting in the work. And that meant shooting, followed by shooting, and then more shooting.

“I remember counting, but I focused more on makes as opposed to counting shots,” says Paxson. “I had to make a certain number. Back then, a lot of it was done by myself. I didn’t have someone there to rebound for me all the time so a lot of what I did was to shoot and then chase it down.”

“I don’t put a specific number on it when I go to the gym,” says McDermott. “I go off feel and I usually have a pretty good idea where I’m at when I leave. I shot as much as I could in high school. You’d try to get up 500 or 1,000 shots. In college, it was more off of feel and that ended up working out really well so I continued that and brought it here.”

“You may count makes in a drill, but over the course of how long I work out, I don’t really count how many shots I take or make,” explains Dunleavy. “I’m worried about the quality. I can get in the gym for a half hour and shoot really quality shots, get a great workout in and improve as a shooter. It’s never really been about the number of shots for me; it’s about the quality of shots.”

Brooks doesn’t want to reveal the secrets of his success, at least as they pertain to his workouts, but he does admit they have changed drastically over the years. Whereas before, he was like so many others in putting up countless shots, he now focuses more on resting his legs in the offseason and places a greater emphasis on set shots rather than off the dribble movements.

Of course, no matter how many hours are spent in the gym, it’s impossible to simulate live game action. Still, as Paxson believes, with preparation comes success.

“There is nothing that beats being in the gym,” states Paxson. “It’s a mental thing and a confidence thing when you can draw on the fact that you’ve worked hard. If you know you’re working harder than the next guy, that’s going to put you in a position to succeed. Spending time shooting is something that transfers to the game and it gives you confidence when you know you’ve been working on it.”

“I think it comes down to having a feel for the ball,” explains Brooks. “Even if you’re not in a rhythm, if you shoot enough, mentally you get that distance down from the three-point line to the rim. So when you get in the game, you might jump a little higher, but the distance is the same.”

“It’s hard to envision, but that’s something you’ve got to do as a shooter,” says McDermott. “Spot up shooting when you’re getting a bunch of reps up, it’s almost not good for you because you aren’t used to that when it’s a game and you’re running to fire one up. With the length and athleticism of NBA defenders, it’s hard to envision and anticipate.”

“In a practice or workout setting, you can go out and shoot ten or twenty in a row and get in a rhythm and make shots,” notes Dunleavy. “In a game, you only get that one shot and if you’re lucky, you’ll shoot five or six in a quarter. So it’s a challenge. You sit on the bench, the coach calls your number, and you’ve got to come in and make a shot. Those things are hard to practice, but that’s where you rely on your form and technique.”

Preparing for the moment every shooter dreams about

Basketball, of course, is a team sport. As Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau likes to say, “It’s a five-man offense and a five-man defense.”

Individuals and the plays they make, however, are often remembered when team success is enjoyed as a result.

It’s a vision practically all players have at some point, but very few are fortunate enough to experience it. Paxson is among that select group.

“Anyone who shot around in their driveway when they were younger dreamed of the moment where they hit a shot to win a championship,” says Paxson.

A three-time NBA World Champion, it was Paxson who connected on a three as the Bulls finished off the Phoenix Suns in Game 6 of the 1993 NBA Finals. Shots simply don’t come any bigger than that one.

Though it was hardly the first time Paxson had made important baskets. The six-foot-two, 185 pound guard shot 65 percent as Chicago claimed its first title in 1991. In the series-clinching Game 5, Paxson connected on multiple jumpers down the stretch and finished with 20 points.

While it’s tough to compare with Paxson’s clutch shooting in the NBA Finals, Brooks, McDermott and Dunleavy have also had their moments.

As a senior at Oregon, Brooks knocked down a baseline jumper to give his team an upset win over top-ranked UCLA.

As a sophomore in 2001, Dunleavy tallied 18 of his team-high 21 points in the second half and drilled five-of-nine from behind the arc as his Duke Blue Devils knocked off Arizona for the NCAA Championship.

Most recently, in 2013, McDermott recorded his 3,000th point by nailing a three in a game played on Creighton’s senior night. That evening, McDermott finished with 45 points and passed Oscar Robertson on the all-time NCAA scoring list, where he would eventually finish fifth.

Key attributes to becoming a great shooter

Whether it’s a former player like Paxson, veterans like Brooks and Dunleavy, or a rookie like McDermott, all have experienced more on the basketball court than most of us could ever imagine.

While their natural talents and abilities were crucial in making some of their hoop dreams a reality, none of it would have been possible without hard work and a commitment to the sport.

Though their journeys, experiences and shooting styles may differ, when you ask each one about what it takes to become an elite shooter, you’ll hear a lot of the same rhetoric, words like confidence, repetition and consistency.

“You have to have great confidence in yourself. That’s a huge thing,” stresses Paxson. “You’ve got to believe that even if you miss a few, your next one is going in. Shooting really is very basic. You’ve got to have good fundamentals and a good base. You need good balance and your mechanics in terms of bringing the ball up and releasing it have to be fluid. I think the best shooters have the simplest shots.”

“I think it comes down to having good form and repetition,” says Brooks. “Some people are picky about how you should shoot, but everybody’s form is going to be different. As long as you’re consistent and have confidence in your shot, you’ll be OK.”

“To be a great shooter, first off, shot selection is important,” Dunleavy believes. “If you’re going to go out there and jack up bad shots, it’s going to be tough to shoot a good percentage. Consistency with your form and your shot is key. You’ve got to shoot the same way every time. If you repeatedly do that, it doesn’t matter. Reggie Miller had a funky form, but he did it consistently every time and it translated into a lot of makes.”

“It takes a lot of time and effort,” notes McDermott. “You’ve got to put a lot of work in and it’s not just on the floor. It’s studying other players and a lot of visualization. Putting the work in off the court can carryover too. Confidence is everything. Repetition and starting at a young age are both important. You don’t want to start too far away from the hoop though. Start out nice and easy and work your way out.”

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Confidence, consistency among keys to becoming an elite shooter

As one of several NBA players who serve as Hoops for St. Jude ambassadors, Pau Gasol has made a continuous effort throughout his career to be there for those in children’s hospitals, both the patients and their families.

While Gasol makes a point of being there for those who aren’t feeling well, he has also been fortunate to celebrate good health with those who have previously faced adversities.

This past Friday, Gasol welcomed Sierra Josephsen, a three-time cancer survivor, to the United Center as his Bulls hosted the Detroit Pistons.

Josephsen and her family were at the game as part of a St. Jude Children's Research Hospital initiative. They sat courtside as the Bulls warmed up and met several of the team’s players as they ran on and off the floor.

Josephsen was diagnosed with Wilms’ tumor, a rare kidney cancer that primarily affects children, at age three. According to St. Jude, her treatment following her final diagnosis was so successful it is now used for the Wilms’ tumor protocol.  Now a junior at Stephenson High School, Josephsen hopes to become a pediatric oncologist to help children fighting cancer.

“Last night I met a very special girl before our game,” said Gasol on his Instagram account Saturday. “Sierra Josephsen is a 3-time cancer survivor. What an incredible inspiration for all of us!”

Gasol has worked with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital dating back to his playing days with the Memphis Grizzlies. The past few seasons, formerly as a member of the Lakers and now the Bulls, he has visited St. Jude in Memphis with his brother Marc, an All-Star for the Grizzlies.

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Bulls' Gasol inspired by three-time cancer survivor

When Villanova met Georgetown for the 1985 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship, no one gave Ed Pinckney and the Wildcats a chance.

The outlook was so ominous for eighth-seeded Villanova that even Pinckney’s own parents were convinced his team would come up short. And who could blame them?

Villanova was a 9.5 point underdog and the newspaper headlines told of certain doomsday. USA Today’s front page proclaimed, “Villanova vs. a ‘god’”, while the New York Post shouted, “It’s David vs. Goliath”.

Patrick Ewing and the Hoyas were dominant, and as defending champions, they were determined to win another title.

“From a national point of view, we lost already,” recalls Pinckney, currently in his fifth season as an assistant coach for the Bulls. “Everyone said the game was over. Let’s crown these guys because they won last year. My parents were like, ‘Look, this was a great run. We’re proud of you. Nice job. You got this far, but we’ll be waiting for you when you get your butts kicked.’”

Pinckney and his teammates, however, felt otherwise. Having played Georgetown and the likes of St. John’s before, they believed those teams could be beaten. They also knew it would take an extraordinary effort.

As another chapter of March Madness is currently being written, Pinckney took a trip down memory lane to relive the 30th anniversary of one of sport’s greatest upsets.

When the 1984-85 regular season concluded, Villanova didn’t exactly resemble a national championship contender. The Wildcats finished the regular season at 18-9, including 9-7 in the Big East.

Following a 23-point thumping at the hands of Pittsburgh, Villanova was unranked. It was a group that entered its conference tournament understanding that a tournament bid was by no means a sure thing.

“We had a lot of losses, but four of them were to the no. 1 or no. 2 ranked teams in the country in Georgetown and St. John’s,” explained Pinckney, a 6-10, 205-pound senior center. “We knew as players that we were in a very difficult conference. Our record wasn’t particularly good but it was because we were constantly up against some of the best teams in the country. After the loss to Pitt, we were just hoping that we would be in the tournament. The benchmark was around 20 wins and we were just under that. We didn’t know if we’d be in or not.”

At the 1985 Big East tournament, played at Madison Square Garden, Villanova as the fourth-seed enjoyed a little payback against fifth-seeded Pittsburgh when they recorded a 69-61 quarterfinals victory.

Up next, however, was the conference’s top-seeded St. John’s Redmen, a team loaded with future NBA players in Chris Mullin, Mark Jackson and Bill Wennington. The Wildcats came up short, falling 89-74, and the waiting game ensued. Meanwhile, Georgetown won its second straight conference title.

“We felt good and we hoped we would get into the tournament,” says Pinckney. “We knew we could play good basketball. We had five seniors who had been through a number of tough games. We believed that if we could get in, we could play well.”

Pinckney notes that after the loss to Pitt in the regular season finale, the team discussed a scenario in which the team did not make it into the tournament. It was decided that the coaching staff would not accept an NIT bid if that had happened.

“As seniors, that could have been our last basketball game,” says Pinckney.

Obviously, it was not. The Wildcats were awarded the eighth seed in the southeast regional and a first round matchup with Dayton.

Pinckney remembers the words conveyed to the players by Villanova coach Rollie Massimino, who hosted team dinners at his home throughout the season and promoted a family environment that relied on his Italian heritage.

“His message to us was, ‘Look, we’re in now. Let’s just have a lot of fun. It’s been an up and down season for us. You guys who are now seniors, try to represent your families and yourself in the best way we know how.’ That was it. He wanted us to relax and have fun,” says Pinckney.

A hard-fought 51-49 win over ninth-seeded Dayton on their home floor followed. Villanova upset the region’s top seed in Michigan next, 59-55. Another improbable victory over second-seeded North Carolina, 56-44, punched their ticket to the Final Four.

“As the games were going on, we were looking at the pairings,” recalls Pinckney. “We knew Michigan was not St. John’s. Michigan was not Georgetown. There was no one like Chris Mullin or Patrick Ewing, so let’s just go in there, have fun and see what happens.

“There was a looseness the entire team played with because we had gone to the Elite Eight twice before,” adds Pinckney. “There was no tension going into the games because we had been in that position before. We’d go into the games thinking, ‘Alright, they’re going to get our best. And if they don’t bring their best, we’re probably going to come out on top because again, our benchmark, our measuring stick, was those other two teams and they were the best in the country.”

When Pinckney and his teammates arrived at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky for the Final Four, it was almost like they never left Madison Square Garden. Aside from Memphis State, three Big East schools remained, with Georgetown and St. John’s on the other side of the bracket.

Though the Wildcats had come up short against those teams in five cumulative meetings that season, the familiarity was there and that added to their confidence.

“There wasn’t any apprehension at all,” says Pinckney. “I think a lot of times in the tournament when you’re facing different styles of play, if you’ve never seen that style of play before, you can get caught by surprise. But when it came to facing Georgetown or St. John’s, there weren’t any surprises at all. We knew what was coming at us and we knew it was tough.”

In the national semifinals, Villanova got past Memphis State, 52-45, while Georgetown dominated St. John’s in the second half of a 77-59 victory, setting the stage for the championship game. It was Georgetown’s third straight Final Four.

“They had all the experience,” notes Pinckney. “They looked at us and saw we had 10 losses. So this team can’t possibly beat that team, right? There’s no way. But if you did your research, our previous two games against Georgetown were really close. One, in fact, was an overtime game. It didn’t bother us. We had no pressure on us. Georgetown, in fact, had more pressure on them because they were trying to create history and win back-to-back titles.”

As Pinckney looks back on that night, whether it was the pregame locker room or during the title game itself, there isn’t a particular moment that comes to mind. Rather, it was more a feeling.

“That was the one time as a player I really felt in sync with my teammates,” says Pinckney. “There were a lot of instances during the course of the game and at halftime where we weren’t even saying anything to each other. But we knew exactly what we were thinking. That happened so many times in the previous games leading up to that one.

“When you’re a team that is playing on that level, you just know that you have a really good chance of winning,” Pinckney continues. “That’s how we all felt. If we could sustain any long periods of mishaps – again, playing against them was very difficult because they were a pressure team and in Ewing they had one of the great all-time defenders in college basketball history – if we got through all of that, which we were able to do, we knew we’d have a chance. In previous games against them, it was one or two instances where we weren’t able to get over the top. In that particular game, we did.”

Villanova led by a point, 29-28, at halftime. As the underdogs continued to hang around, the support from the crowd only grew, as did the Wildcats’ confidence.

“We were saying to ourselves that we really had a chance,” remembers Pinckney. “Being one of the top scorers on the team, along with guys like Gary McLain, Dwayne McClain, Harold Jensen and Mark Plansky, we got on a roll. Everyone was chipping in and playing well. Each segment of the game started to go in our favor. We were getting calls and it all unfolded at the same time.”

A quick glance at the game’s box score shows a 66-64 final. Look closer and you’ll see that Villanova shot an astounding 78.6 percent from the field.

When asked if the Wildcats played about as flawless of a game as you can play, Pinckney is quick to respond.

“Against them? Not even close. Yes, not even close,” Pinckney states. “Both Gary McLain and Dwayne McClain, Gary in particular, did a great job of handling the pressure and not turning the ball over. I get kidded all the time. One of our teammates charted the game and he said I had the most misses on our team. I said, ‘I had to take the most shots, what do you expect?’ You realize how close we really were to playing the perfect game. You’ve got to remember, it was only a two-point game. It took that kind of effort in order to get a victory against that team. It says a lot about how good they were.”

As for the moment of the final buzzer, it’s one Pinckney and his teammates will never forget.

“Not until the very end when Dwayne McClain fell on the ball and was screaming at the top of his lungs did we feel a comfort level,” says Pinckney. “Georgetown could always take off in an instant and the game would be over.

“I was looking for my parents right away,” he continues. “I just wanted to give them a hug. Your head is on a swivel because you’re running all around just searching for people to hug.

“Everyone who supported the team throughout the year was in our locker room,” Pinckney recalls. “It was pandemonium. We finally did it and we were celebrating with our teammates. We couldn’t wait to get back out on the floor to cut the nets down. It was one of the all-time great feelings.”

It only got better for Pinckney, who after recording 16 points, six rebounds and five assists was named the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player.

“It’s one of the all-time accomplishments for me,” acknowledges Pinckney. “You want to be remembered in a great way as a senior. Whenever you’re victorious in your last game, that’s always a good thing.”

In a tournament for which the phrase March Madness has become synonymous, Villanova remains the lowest-seeded team to win it all. Others have come close. A year after falling to Duke as a fifth seed, Butler lost to UConn in the 2011 final as an eight seed. In 2006, 11-seeded George Mason advanced to the Final Four before coming up short against eventual champion Florida.

Somewhat surprisingly, Pinckney was cheering them on along the way.

“I was rooting for both those teams,” admits Pinckney. “I think eventually there will be a team that comes along and does it, because you get a bunch of seniors together who are all like-minded and anything is possible.”

Until they do, Villanova’s upset over Georgetown will be recognized as one of the biggest upsets on the biggest stages.

“It’s compared to all kinds of different things, like the Miracle on Ice,” says Pinckney. “We’re compared with a lot of those great stories. But for my teammates and the coaching staff, it was an unbelievable accomplishment. And every year, around this time, we get to revel in it. It’s a lot of fun.”

Pinckney’s role in the championship earned him a retired jersey that hangs in Villanova’s Pavilion rafters. And while Pinckney would go on to spend 12 seasons in the NBA, it’s the 1985 NCAA championship which ranks high on the list for him, both personally and professionally.

“It’s right there at the top,” smiles Pinckney, who spent four seasons as an assistant coach at Villanova after his playing days. “It’s what I’m most remembered for and I had twelve other guys to celebrate it with.”

bulls-pinckney-led-villanova-to-one-of-sports-greatest-upsets

Bulls’ Pinckney led Villanova to one of sport’s greatest upsets

As the Bulls opened the doors to the Advocate Center to welcome their partners and their children for the team’s 24th Annual Kids Clinic on Monday, Derrick Rose had a message to those he was instructing.

“Compete or go home,” Rose said with a smile.

Rose was kidding of course, as he worked with the youngsters along with Nazr Mohammed at a station that emphasized dribbling.

“We’re just trying to teach them the game a little and have some fun,” said Rose. “It seems like they’re enjoying it and that’s why we’re here. We’re just showing them another way to find some happiness and live in the moment.”

For Rose, an evening of focusing on the fundamentals with the young athletes took him back to his own childhood.

“For sure,” said Rose, whose son P.J. was among those in attendance. “It’s a pretty mixed group. You may have a 13-year old in one group and a six-year old in another. So we’re just trying to have fun with them and let them know we care. It’s been great getting to know the kids a little, as well as the partners.”The night began as approximately 280 guests, half of which were children, made their way through a multitude of areas on the practice court, from carnival games to a face painter to photo booths to a balloon artist.

“This is one of the many ways we say thanks to our partners for being a part of the organization,” noted Scott Sonnenberg, Vice President of Corporate Sales for the Bulls. “It really is a highlight. There’s nothing better for a parent than to do something for your kids and this is always an exciting night for us. We’ve got a lot of regulars who absolutely love this event. They look forward to this night each and every year. They love it and we do too.”

Following Sonnenberg’s opening remarks, the game-night experience of the United Center was on display as Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau and his team were introduced. Each player entered the gym and high-fived the children on hand. General Manager Gar Forman was also in attendance.

The players then split up into a total of six stations that emphasized a different area of the game. Pau Gasol, Taj Gibson and E’Twaun Moore taught defensive fundamentals.

“We’re just trying to pass along a couple things,” explained Gasol. “Our station is defense, so we’re trying to make it fun and entertaining because it’s not always the most fun part of the game. We’re just trying to show the kids a good time and interact with them. We’re showing them how to get low and get in a defensive stance, shuffle their feet and slide one way or the other. It’s been fun.”

Like Rose, Gasol couldn’t help but think back to when he first became interested in basketball as a child, but with one caveat.“I didn’t have NBA players teaching me or spending time with me when I was young,” he smiled. “It’s a great opportunity for the kids and their parents to have this kind of unique experience.”

Nikola Mirotic, who along with Joakim Noah worked on passing with the young players, attended his first kids clinic.

“It’s really important to teach the fundamentals so the kids understand the value in making a good pass to their teammates,” said Mirotic. “It’s been a great time. The kids are having fun and we’re enjoying it too.

“It brings back a lot of great memories,” added Mirotic. “For me, I was very fortunate to have some great teachers and coaches in my life. For these kids, hopefully we’re an inspiration for them. We just want to show them some of the basics and have fun along the way.”

After groups were done rotating through the player stations, everyone in attendance enjoyed a variety show from the Bulls Entertainment Network, including performances from Benny the Bull and the Luvabulls. To finish the night, guests ate dinner, courtesy of Wildfire.

That the entire team was there to participate and actively engaged with the children, as well as their parents, was what ultimately made the night a success, explained Sonnenberg.

“I think the biggest thing is for everyone to see the players up close,” said Sonnenberg of the experience. “They see them on TV and they see them at our games, but they aren’t able to get close to them. So to come here and do that, then see they are real people who are also nice, and be able to play basketball with them, that’s the biggest thing they take away.”

Of the many partners on hand, the night had a little extra significance for Kelly Jo Golson of Advocate Health Care. Advocate is the naming rights partner for the team’s new state of the art practice facility.