“Be quick but don’t hurry.” - John Wooden
Robert Greene sold nearly two million copies of The 48 Laws of Power. We start with the law of the power of using time.
We allocate practice time, tempo of practice and games, use of time and space, teaching time and situations, and how we end games.
Greene divides time among ‘long time’, ‘forced time’, and ‘end time’.
Philadelphia and Sam Hinkie played the long game, embracing the cellar en route to becoming an Eastern Conference challenger. Injuries to Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons provided more draft capital. The additional time allowed their young stars to acclimate to the NBA game and gave the Sixers cap space to add J.J. Redick and a new star this offseason. We still can’t judge the NBA destiny of Markelle Fultz.
Time alone won’t heal all. The Cleveland Browns testify to perpetual frustration. Events overwhelm time. The deaths of Len Bias and Reggie Lewis set the Celtics back for two decades.
Forced time applies to seizing control during critical situations. Greene discussed Mehmed the Conquer who tantalized Hungary with prospects of peace talks while delaying and prosecuting war. The Turks eventually achieved military victory and imposed harsh conditions for peace.
In another Greene time, The 33 Strategies of War, he includes the use of blizkrieg as means to force time. Coach Bob Knight believed the first five minutes of the second half were vital in taking control. This season Golden State parlayed halftime video review and adjustments into third quarter domination. The Boston Celtics applied zone defenses at game changing moments throughout the playoffs.
Tempo matters during both games and practice. Coach Geno Auriemma runs practice at high speed and intensity, aided by working his UCONN women against an elite men’s team. Brad Stevens borrowed concepts from Bill Belichick to accelerate tempo. Most coaches apply time and competitive pressure to practice. Controlling tempo as a means to wear down opponents separates successful from struggling squads. Using timeouts strategically is another key use of time. Excellent guard play distinguishes teams mastery of two-for-one possessions at the end of quarters. “Time wounds all heels.”
“Good judgment comes from experience; experience comes from bad judgment.” End time effectiveness takes time and experience. Dean Smith saved three timeouts for the final four minutes. Brad Stevens examined the final minutes video of each game for an entire season to revamp closing strategies. Devoting time to endgame study and development repays coaches and players. Winnecunett high school girls finished each practice requiring everyone to score two free throws sequentially. The payoff came with five consecutive state championships.
Lagniappe:
A&M comes back https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNGmD6FcQdY&feature=share
