By Les Tan.
Occasionally, a reader will get so worked up that he will write to me about something that he needs to get off his chest. Law Jia Fuu is one such person.
This is what Jia Fuu had to say:
“Firstly, this is not a report on which team against which team, and who emerged victorious. Rather, this is a post on the level of basketball in Singapore. As we all know, indoor courts are being built in various schools, scouts and coaches are doing all the hard work to get good players in their team.
However, on the sideline, as the audience can see, most of the teams are not well-trained and players don’t have the commitment in them to win Referees are biased against teams and simple standards like the shot clock are not being observed throughout the match.
Well, my suggestions will be that if you are a player and reading this post, please work harder to improve your overall skills, continue to improve and never give up. Secondly, a new breed of referees should be train in Singapore, shot clock standard should be observed and lastly, LOVE THIS SPORT!!!”
So what do you think of the basketball scene in Singapore? Let’s hear your thoughts.
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The main issue with Singapore bball is easily identified on the courts whenever u have a pickup game at your local CC with players who are decked out in school team colours :
(i) too much 1 v 1 ball hogging showmanship and no understanding of the passing game;
(ii) poor/no understanding of on-ball and off-ball screens;
(iii) no post game or desire to develop one (obvious when talking to them post-game and finding out that their coaches only talk about perimeter shooting and having no idea about inside-outside offence);
(iv) no rotating defence knowledge or poor communication when rotating on defence (e.g. calling out picks, backdoor cuts etc);
(v) no desire to play intelligent team defence and letting your man beat you on the first step;
(vi) thinking speed and “thunder” fast-breaks are everything. You can only cherry-pick so much and not get beaten at the other end with a 4 on 5 situation, etc.
These are just some of the issues i see on a first hand basis when playing on the courts in sg.
i’m only 5’9″ but because i have developed a post and midrange game when playing in my university days, i can still take many taller and heavier guys in the post with hooks, drop-steps, up-and-unders, etc.
Anyone who says guards should not postup should go and talk to Michael Jordan and Chauncey Billups.
Hi,
I just wanted to know where do people usually play basketball in singapore? I am not talking about schools or colleges but in general like in outdoor courts or something of that kind where a lot of people play on weekends or weekdays after office hours??
Thanks
It is ridiculous to say that players do not have the commitment to win. Many teams train 2-3 times and some even train 5 times a week. How can say it as though the players do not put in enough effort.
As for coach teaching fast break drills, well, fast break is the fastest way to score.
Hey,
i am surprised to read about state of Singapore basketball. In the early and mid-90s the scene was GREAT.
Teams like Sin Kee and Shen Fong Temple (sp?), police, Safra… All had teams in SBL and youth teams as well. There were many 3 on 3 tornaments, and basketball was played by strong players in CCs.
Best of all there were hundreds of players honing their skill daily, playing for hours on end.
Please tell me it’s still the case?
Bball Ang Mo
@Kons: There are still a lot of people playing basketball in Singapore. Over 100 schools start the zonal basketball championships every year, which is a lot more teams than most school sports in Singapore.
Hakim –
How can we contact you if you’re interested in coaching in Singapore?
Thanks.
Hi Hakim, since you are asking about coaches, is there a need for coaches in Singapore? I was playing and later coaching junior selections in Serbia and I’m interested in getting more information on caching basketball in Singapore.
Thanks,
Aleks
Hello, my name is, Hakim.
I’m very interested to learn more about the basketball scene in Singapore. I have travelled to Singapore a few times over the past few years (2006 & 2008) and have always enjoyed my stays there. I am American, and I have played both in the university and semi-professionally here in the U.S. I have completed my Bachelors degree (B.A) just recently, and I’m very interested in the possibility of coaching basketball in Singapore. Basketball is a game which requires the right coaching knowledge, as well as, targeting a players “skill development.” Building skills and learning from an experienced coach are very important fundamentals of the game. I just learned about this site a few days ago, so I’m hoping that I can dialogue with some players living in Singapore, or possibly contact some schools/coaches that are looking for a good, qualified assistant coach for their respective team/school. I look forward to hearing from someone in the very near future. Thanks!
There is nothing wrong with the players. The players have potential. The problem is the coaches. Most of the coaches are not even qualify to coach elsewhere out of Singapore. I was an ex-school player, so I know. They only teach like in the 1950s, on knowing times have change.
They don’t even teach the different types of dribble etc. I’ve realised that all the drills are fastbreak drills and lots of running without emphasizing proper basketball fundamentals. There is no wonder Singapore’s basketball is so lousy.
Secondly, there is over-training. These 1950-style coaches only emphasize hard-work. There is too little room for rest and proper improvement.
Please could schools hire some professional coach from overseas that can really teach proper basketball fundamentals.
It is such a ridulcule that even our NATIONAL players can’t dribble the ball properly and it is all because of the school’s coach problem. If this is not done, Singapore’s basketball will deteriorate further. Please.
i have a few questions i wanna clarify,
1)how do u become a basketball referee in singapore?how long do u take to be one?
2)how far does BAS think singapore can go in matching the international standard?asian?is that all?
3)how does they train singapore’s homegrown talents?how often?2 times per week?
4)some schools have a bad history of basketball.been losing,battered by tougher opponents in competitions.teachers gave up.but think again.does the students gave up?some yes.some no.and to those students that havent give up in bringing glory to their school,it is really unfair for schools not to support them.
pls if anyone care about singapores basketball scene then do something about it
Thanks a lot !!
Will have a look today.