Seek excellence not validation. Look around and see those who strive for recognition yet haven't done the work.
The Latin phrase "materiam superabat opus" usually translates as "the quality was better than the material." You've heard the statement, "you can't make chicken salad out of chicken feathers." But we should ask how we make an end product and end state that exceeds our resources? How can we make more from less?
We should read more and not just about basketball. Some messages are universal.
Malcolm Gladwell tells the story of Chancellorsville, the famous 1863 battle where Robert E. Lee defeated Union General Joseph Hooker despite overwhelming material advantages for Hooker. Hooker's troops more than doubled Lee's and he had tremendous information obtained from hot air balloons. But Lee prevailed tactically as overconfidence proved crippling for Hooker. Leadership and belief go a long way toward overcoming superior force.
Learn from many sources. You have to fish where the fish are.
Coach Starkey shares a story about the great Don Meyer and his penchant for note taking. I have the composition books in the back seat of my car, waiting to distribute them to this year's team. An ancient Chinese proverb says, "the faintest ink is more powerful than the strongest memory." Smarter players make smarter plays.
Don't make your task harder than it already is. Use your assets wisely. What's your desired "end state"? Sherman's march to the sea intentionally avoided great, self-destructive battles. Sherman's end state was depleting Georgia's morale and resources, not indulging his ego or sacrificing troops. Under ideal circumstances, we coach teams that are hard to play against.
Nolan Richardson explains.
