The transition

As the clock counted down to zero, the siren sounded to signal the beginning of training. The players of the Melbourne Tigers Basketball Club were instructed to begin a three-lane warm up drill.

The voice that echoed through the stadium delivering these instructions was familiar to Tigers training, but not in this capacity.

For his entire professional career, he was receiving those instructions, but now he is delivering them, as he continues his transition from player, to NBL coach.

The voice was Chris Anstey’s.

When I arrived at the Sandringham Basketball Stadium, half an hour before training was due to start, Anstey and assistant coach, Darryl McDonald, a fellow Melbourne Tigers legend, were deep in discussion about their plans for the days practice.

These deep discussions with “Mac,” as Anstey refers to him, were a common occurrence throughout the entire session. It was clear of the importance Anstey placed on the input of his assistant coaches throughout the session.

“The first call I made was to Darryl MacDonald to let him know that I’ve been offered [the position], I wanted to coach with him, his skill sets compliment mine well, and Rowan Short was fantastic, but I just needed to make sure that I had the right people around me to make sure we can be successful,” Anstey said.

Standing at over seven feet tall and with size 18 shoes, Anstey was taller than any of the players; a commanding presence.

His Jordan shirt, which fitted him well, would have been a dress on most people.

When it came time to interview him, he made me, at over six feet tall, feel like five foot nothing. I even had to raise my hand to eye-line level just to shake his hand; I’ve never had to do that before.

As a player, Anstey’s achievements speak for themself.

He is a two time Olympian, an under 22 World Champion and Most Valuable Player. He has played for the Dallas Mavericks and the Chicago Bulls in the NBA, as well as stints in Russia and Spain.  He returned to the Melbourne Tigers in 2006, where he won two championships and two NBL MVP awards before retiring in 2010.

These experiences will be reflected in his coaching style.

Chris Anstey
Source: Yahoo

“I’ve seen a lot of different basketball environments, I think there’s a responsibility to share what you’ve learnt with different people,” he said

Anstey hardly ever stood still during training. He followed the ball from corner to corner, almost instinctively, as he did on court for so many years.

Half an hour into training, the players had a quick break. During, Anstey grabbed the ball and put up a couple of shots from the post. He went two from two, and never looked like missing.

The way he shot that ball, the way he showed the players the defensive stance he wanted, he looked as if he could throw the uniform back on immediately, and be as damaging as ever.

When he spoke, everyone listened.

The only time you could not hear the sound of a ball bouncing, the high pitch squeal of basketball shoes sliding across the floor, or the sound of a ball rattling the ring, was when Anstey was speaking.

After Tommy Greer drove the baseline and scored, all that was needed to communicate Anstey’s approval was a nod in Greer’s direction. He understood what it meant.

Why wouldn’t he? After all, they not only played together, but they won championships together.

“As far as playing under him as head coach its really good because I’m familiar with his take on the game and what he holds high… so there’s a big leg up for me knowing what he is keyed into,” Greer said.

Anstey always seemed to be deep in thought watching them train. Continually staring at the ball, hand on chin slightly crouched down, frequently pulling players aside individually to share his wealth of knowledge on the situation.

A quick flick through a play book before setting up an offence drill was all that was needed for the entire day to set up countless offence drills, drills that so often were created around him.

You could see the connection with the players he has. He was stern, but never over the top. The biggest sign of frustration he showed was placing his hands over his face after a ball was turned over.  He didn’t feel the need to scream at the top of his lungs or slam something into the floor.

“He is definitely a players coach, he gets along with all the guys and think that’s because it not so long since he has finished playing, he knows the demands on players today,” Greer said.

There was even time for a rye smile when a kicked ball nearly hit him where no man wants to be hit.

The hardest part of the transition so far?

“Probably a lot of the small detail, the planning, I know what I want to get done its just a matter of breaking that down into small pieces,” Anstey said.

Not only is Anstey coming to terms with the demands of being an NBL coach, but he is also leading the Tigers into a new era.

They will play games at Hisense Arena this year, combined with a fresh list, and new owners.

As the countdown to opening tip off continues, it is clear what Anstey wants the most.

“Competing, I’m a competitor, I can’t wait for the games to start, I want these guys to experience what I have, and that’s been periods of successful basketball… Not for me, its for these guys.”