Fast Five: Making a Difference in Your Game Today

We're in the final week of 'official' summer basketball, with the playoffs coming up. All that matters is growing your game, because you never know who is coming during summer vacation. If we're lucky, we'll have six or seven of the roster players because of those vacations.

But you want some advice or to share a couple of thoughts with your players? 

1. "Basketball is a mental game." When you are unfocused or indecisive, your game suffers. "Trying fails; awareness cures." You are your own quarterback, responsible for your decisions and accuracy. Talent without skill and skill without concentration produce wasted effort. 

2. "That's not how we play," was what my daughters' AAU coach (Shawanda Brown) would remind the team. Players need clarity on what the 'end state' looks like, your emphasis, your priorities, and the accountability of "it's not your shot, it's our shot." Before each game, I ask my team, "How do we play?" They answer together, "we play fast." How do you live? 

3. "Attack off the catch." You're the most open when you receive the ball. If you intend to stand around, then you will end up sitting. Be decisive; be aggressive. 

4. "Get out of yourself and into the team." What are you doing to make the team better, to make each player around your better? We've all seen too many players who care about the scorebook more than the scoreboard. John Wooden remarked, "happiness begins where selfishness ends." 

5. "Talent is overrated." Brad Stevens says, "the magic is in the work." Being a great teammate, listening, total concentration, maximal effort, taking charges, moving without the ball, attacking the defender, setting great screens, getting 50-50 balls - none reflect talent. You decide what you give and whether you get the most from yourself. Commit to becoming a 'better version' of yourself every day.