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Saturday, April 20, 2024

Basketball: Declaration of Interdependence

Basketball is not a democracy. Let's contrast sport with part of a famous document, the American Declaration of Independence.  

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; 

Use basketball analogy. 

Truths. "If wishes were horses, then beggars would ride." Truths derive from the real not the imagined. Results are the sum of measurable possessions. Offensive possessions should generate quality shots and defensive possessions at worst mean "hard twos" (one bad shot) for our opponent. Contest every shot without fouling. "Video is the truth machine." 

Coach Lane taught us to 'win quarters'. Win possessions. The famous bit about "if you get a stop, everyone gets Jordans." Would you play harder, more focused, with more communication, more toughness? 

All men are created equal. I coached girls. Only one woman's name, printer "Mary Katherine Goddard" appeared on the Declaration. The best scorers should get more shots than the 'average' player. Win possession with better shots from better players. 

The only way to know that is measuring - shot charts and analytics including effective field goal percentage. 

Pursuit of Happiness. Pursuit reminds us of Browning, "a man's reach should exceed his grasp." Pursuit doesn't guarantee achieving happiness. Remember what Brad Stevens said in analyzing players that he seeks "competitive character." 

Consent of the governed. The Founders' phrase implies 'getting buy-in'. The team must know and embrace the team philosophy, be on the same page, and work together. If a player doesn't meet those requirements, influencers ask, "why not?" 

Laying its foundations on such principles. Players can't 'divine' our core principles, beliefs, and values. President Reagan famously said, "trust but verify." Give and get feedback. Write and distribute. Simplify. Traffic in specifics. Here are suggestions among mine: 

"Basketball is sharing." - Phil Jackson

"Get more and better shots than our opponent." - Pete Newell

"The ball is gold." - Coach Sonny Lane

Teamwork, improvement, accountability. 

The best players make everyone around them better. 

Effect their safety and Happiness. Remember Chuck Daly's NBA players' want 48 - "48 minutes, 48 shots, 48 million." Players and their families care about minutes, role, and recognition. Dividing the pie is always hard. 

Light and transient causes. If it's not working, Kevin Eastman says, "do it harder, do it better, change personnel, $#&* it ain't working." I've been most proud of teams with competitive losses against superior teams. Keep messaging core beliefs such as "do well what you do a lot" and "do more of what works and less of what doesn't." 

Professional sports thrive with collaboration at the highest level. That's tough at lower levels. 

Lagniappe. "Threats, strengths, and opportunities." 

— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzellNBA) April 19, 2024 

Lagniappe 2. Cowher on culture. 

Lagniappe 3. Chris Oliver shares a play design, "Ram Ghost" 

 

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