So, I hit the court earlier today, and I decided to channel a bit of Courtney Lee. You know, one of those solid, dependable guys who just knew how to play the game right. Not flashy, but effective. I’ve been trying to add a bit more structure to my solo sessions lately, rather than just chucking up shots, and focusing on a player’s strengths gives me some good direction.
Getting Started: The Warm-Up
First things first, I had to get these old bones moving. Started with some light jogging around the court, then went into my usual dynamic stretching routine. Arm circles, leg swings, torso twists – the whole nine yards. Honestly, some days the warm-up feels like a workout in itself! But you gotta do it, right? Especially when you’re not exactly a spring chicken anymore. I spent a good 15 minutes just making sure everything felt loose and ready to go. I figured Lee, being a pro for so many years, definitely knew the importance of a proper warm-up to stay durable.
Focusing on the Jumpshot
Courtney Lee always had a pretty sweet stroke, especially from mid-range and as a catch-and-shoot guy from three. So, that was my first major focus. I started with form shooting, just close to the basket, really concentrating on my mechanics. Elbow in, follow through, the usual stuff. It’s amazing how quickly bad habits can creep in if you don’t constantly check yourself.
Then I moved out to the free-throw line extended, working on catching and shooting. I had a friend feeding me passes, which helps a ton with simulating game speed. My goal was to get my feet set quickly and rise up smoothly. Some shots felt great, like they were destined to go in from the moment they left my hand. Others? Well, let’s just say the rim took a beating. It’s a humbling experience, trying to consistently knock down shots.
- Practiced spot-up shots from five key areas around the arc.
- Did a drill where I had to make 5 in a row from each spot before moving on. That took a while for a couple of spots!
- Really focused on keeping my release point high.
I spent a good hour just on shooting. My shoulders were definitely feeling it by the end, but in a good way.
Defensive Intensity and Footwork
Next up, I wanted to work on the defensive end. Lee was always a tenacious defender, good footwork, active hands. This is the part of practice I usually dread a little, because it’s just pure grind, but it’s so crucial.
I did a bunch of defensive slide drills. Sideline to sideline, then baseline to baseline. Man, my quads were on fire after a few sets of those. I tried to keep my stance low, back straight, and hands active, imagining I was trying to stay in front of a quick guard. It’s easy to get lazy with defensive drills when you’re by yourself, so I really had to push myself to maintain intensity. I also did some closeout drills, working on exploding out to a shooter, staying balanced, and contesting the shot without fouling. That balance part is tricky.
Transition and Finishing
To wrap things up, I did some work on transition offense. Lee was good at running the floor and finishing or knocking down a pull-up. So, I did some full-court sprints, catching a long pass (or, well, imagining one and then grabbing the ball I’d placed ahead) and then going in for layups – right hand, left hand, reverse. Then I mixed in some pull-up jumpers at the elbow after a couple of dribbles in transition.
This part was actually pretty fun, even though I was getting tired. It felt good to just run and try to finish strong. My conditioning isn’t what it used to be, that’s for sure. I could almost hear a coach yelling, “Push the ball!” in my head.
Cool Down and Final Thoughts
Finally, a proper cool down. Static stretches, holding each one for a good 30 seconds. Gotta take care of the body, especially after pushing it.
Overall, it was a solid session. Focusing on Courtney Lee’s game definitely gave me some clear objectives. It’s not about trying to be him, obviously, but about taking elements of a successful player’s game and seeing how you can incorporate them into your own. It’s a good reminder that basketball, at its core, is about fundamentals and consistency. Those guys who stick around in the league for a long time usually master those things. Definitely felt like I got some good work in today. Now, for a shower and maybe an ice pack or two!
