The Making of a TEAM

Although we completed tryouts, we don't have a TEAM yet. We know that some players on last year's team did not try out and other players who played well elsewhere last year did.

Last year our focus was on TEAMWORK, IMPROVEMENT, and ACCOUNTABILITY. This year, we will work toward TEAMWORK, QUALITY, and ACCOUNTABILITY. It won't be easy.

What makes a TEAM? Teams arise out of authentic concern for each other, with players whose primary concern is making the players around them better. Phil Jackson simply reminds players, "basketball is sharing."

Help your teammates. You help by talking on defense, by moving without the ball, by setting great screens, by moving the basketball, by blocking out to allow a teammate to rebound, through hustling back in transition to overcome numerical disadvantage, by taking 'quality shots'. "It's not your shot, it's our shot." You help by encouraging teammates to play hard, to move on after mistakes and play "in the moment."

You improve your teammate by controlling the controllable - through great attitude, choices, and effort.

The paradox of basketball is developing your craft individually to sacrifice for the good of the organization. You work to get "one band, one sound."

Great teams are about commitment, discipline, effort, gratitude, passion, and sacrifice. Those values translate equally well to family, school, careers, and your other pursuits.