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Saturday, September 2, 2023

Basketball: Better


This scene from The Bear was inspired. Having taught medicine to physicians, nurses, and students, I thought inspiring them was a worthy goal.

1. Share the 'best answers'. "I don't know" and "that's a good idea, we should try that." None of us know everything and problem solving often demands different approaches. 

2. Want to be better. The exceptional players I've coached wanted more teaching. They were in their notebooks, studying film, and motivated to keep growing. 

3. Read. I passed a "birdhouse library" yesterday and picked up Jeff Passan's "The Arm" a baseball book about arm injuries including Tommy John surgery. The first chapter features Todd Coffey and Dr. Neal ElAttrache the well-known Orthopaedist. As you may know, the first "Tommy John" procedure for ulnar collateral ligament injury was performed in 1974 almost fifty years ago. Read and be inspired. 

4. Mentor. Worthy themes deserve repetition. "Mentoring is the only shortcut to excellence." Find and share tips. 

5. Ask better questions. How can I improve? What does my team need now? How can I become more athletic? 

6. Reflect on quality. We all think we bring quality. I'm not delusional. Every practice, every article isn't great. What fell short? The most memorable treatise on quality comes from Pirsig's Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. "Quality is the "knife-edge" of experience, found only in the present, known or at least potentially accessible to all of "us"."

7. Simplify. Herb Welling talked about teaching layups first without dribbling. Show the player the footwork and handwork and then add dribbling. Over time we add more finishing techniques. 

8. Get help from the greats. Smith, Wooden, McLendon, Newell, Lincoln, Tolstoy and others live forever. "Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself." - Tolstoy

9. Expand our knowledge. Research or re-search. Part of medicine is the obligation of CME - continuing medical education. I use the New England Journal of Medicine 'Knowledge Plus' subscription program. Make CBE - continuing basketball education - a priority. That's why we're here. Yes, it's WE not ME.

10.Get help from peers. Ask a peer for ideas - a book, concept, or quote. A tiny idea might sprout wings. A third of games are decided on a few plays. Change those few plays.

Find something within to share with your students. 

Lagniappe.  "Wrong does not cease to be wrong because the majority share in it." - Tolstoy

Lagniappe 2. 

 

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