The Notebook Volume XII

The Notebook Volume XII

Author: Martin Plum May 12, 2026 Duration: 53:15

We reopen "The Notebook" to look at a variety of topics this week, including the NBA Draft Lottery and predictions for the draft (one of my favorite days of the year), a quick preview of the WNBA season, tips to help run a good youth camp and make it productive for both you and the campers, "Range" and much more. At the end, I tease our big summer project that will be in more detail in the coming weeks!


Imagine a whiteboard session after a big game, the kind where strategy gets scribbled on whatever's handy. That's the spirit of A Pen And A Napkin. This weekly conversation lives at the crossroads of sport and creative thinking, diving deep into the art of coaching basketball. Each episode feels like pulling up a chair in a gym office, listening to the nuanced discussions about player development, offensive sets, defensive adjustments, and the philosophy behind building a team. It’s less about Xs and Os in a vacuum and more about the why-the human elements and the creative problem-solving that define the craft. You’ll hear authentic breakdowns of game situations, reflections on leadership, and practical ideas that often start with a simple sketch. Think of it as a portable mentors’ roundtable, a clinic distilled into conversation, offering perspectives that resonate whether you’re on the sidelines or just appreciate the deeper layers of the game. Tune in for a podcast that captures the ongoing, ever-evolving dialogue at the heart of coaching.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

A Pen And A Napkin
Podcast Episodes
The Greatest Teams Podcast Volume XIII-The 1985-86 Boston Celtics [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:40
What many people consider to be one of the greatest teams of all-time, if not THE greatest team of all time, the 1985-86 Boston Celtics featured NINE Hall of Famers or future Hall of Famers in various ways, including "Ol…
The Notebook Volume VIII [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:27
Featured in this edition of "The Notebook":*Here comes KU Men's and UCLA Women's teams*Potential #1 seeds in both tournaments*The importance of the FT Line, team length and proper preparation for each game*The NBA trade…
A Pen And A Napkin Presented by Ruiz Auto-Episode #311 Nick Thompson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:03
Episode #311 features Nick Thompson, the head boys basketball coach at Elkhorn (NE). Coach comes from a lineage of great coaches and has learned from some of the best coaches in the state of Nebraska. Coach discusses his…
The Notebook Volume VII [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:23
We've got a lot of great stuff to talk about in this edition of "The Notebook", including:*College basketball achievements by freshman and old coaches*Fixing collegiate eligibility*Navigating up's and down's of January*P…
A Pen And A Napkin-Episode #310 Mike Neighbors Volume II [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:28:37
It is GREAT to have Mike Neighbors, the former HC at the University of Arkansas and current assistant coach for the Los Angeles Sparks, back on the podcast! Coach and I break down a bunch of different topics, including t…
A Pen And A Napkin-Episode #309 Blake DuDonis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:19:45
Blake DuDonis is the lead Assistant Women's Basketball Coach at Fairfield University, one of the best mid-major women's basketball program in the country. Coach DuDonis and the Fairfield staff have a unique philosophy to…
A Pen And A Napkin-Episode #308 Ryan Hintz [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:24
Ryan Hintz is the head boys basketball coach at Blue Valley (KS) High School, where he has built a really consistent program. He comes on the podcast this week to talk about a bunch of different topics, including being a…