A History & Anthology of Basketball Offense

(Paperback)

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The game of basketball has changed significantly over time. This west coast version demonstrates some history of structured Motion or Movement Offenses and examines the possibility that some may have evolved from the early years of the game. Including the concepts of Walter "Doc" Meanwell, a disciple of the game's founder James Naismith. We hope that it will provide choices for those coaches that may be looking for a (Motion) Offense to fit the abilities of their personnel. As an example, a team with no true Center or Big, but five good athletes or guard-types may be looking for a five man motion that provides good penetration possibilities or outside shooting. Shuffle (Chapter 8) or Five-Man Passing Game (Chapter 10) may provide the answer. In another case, a team may find itself with one or two good post-up players and may desire an offense that looks towards these needs. The High-Low Post Motions (Chapters 12-16) may provide the best fit. If a coach finds the talent with 3 skilled forwards, and wishes to give the team post-up opportunities, then the Reverse Action offenses may supply their needs.
There are many factors that contributed to drifting away from team play. Television coverage, the slam dunk, the shot clock, and especially the 3 pointer have changed the game. The purpose and motivation of this narrative is the desire to see basketball remain a team sport.

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Author Bio

C.A. Gus Hassapakis began his college career at The University of San Francisco in 1952. After playing a season for the Dons, he followed his military career to Fairbanks, Alaska from 1954 until 1957. While serving his country in below 0 temperatures, USF was on their way to winning back to back national championships. A couple years later, in 1960 after Gus returned home to familiar Fog from frozen Fairbanks, he received his B.S. degree, and discovered a great opportunity literally around the corner at Riordan High School. Then in 1967, a few miles south of the Fog was the sunshine, San Mateo High School, and Gus found his home court until retiring.
The most influential person that Gus encountered was Cubberly High School's defensive genius
COACH BUD PRESLEY. The first time Presley and the San Francisco native met, Bud interrupted Gus addressing his Riordan team in the locker room at half time to compliment him on his team's intense defense, more importantly the sport coat & tie. After a 12 year dynasty at Cubberly, Presley went a few blocks up the street at Menlo College to be the head coach. Hassapakis was his 1st call. While Gus taught and coached at San Mateo full time, Presley & him won 2 state championships in the mid 70's at Menlo.
Besides Bud Presley, there were 2 other major contributors that defined his style and inspired his evolution. COACH PETE NEWELL, an offensive Guru was the local hero in 1949, winning the NIT in his 3rd year as University of San Francisco's head coach. Pete & Gus met when former USF player of Newell, Ross Giuduce introduced them. Giudice was highly regarded by most, and coached Hassapakis at USF. Few players get to be coached by their idols.
DR. TOM DAVIS was another offensive innovator, who started coaching at the high school level in 1960, guided several Division 1 colleges as head coach, including Stanford in 1982. Stanford is walking distance to Menlo College where Hassapakis took advantage of visiting many Davis coached practices.
It wasn't until the 1987 season, the pinnacle of success came winning three Peninsula Athletic League championships and entered San Mateo High's Hall of Fame.
After Hassapakis retires in 1993 he began hand-written in spiral notebooks, accounts of evolving basketball offenses, their innovators, and specific time lines. Those notebooks reemerged 21 years
later as a legible document. Hopefully, this year it will be displayed on public bookshelves, available as an E-book, and its name is "A History and Anthology of Basketball Offense."