Nick Saban tells players, "get your head right." That begins with what I call ACE - "Attitude, Choices, Effort." ACE focuses on your controllables. You control your attention, punctuality, ability to 'play present' (in the moment), enthusiasm, and willingness to play within your system. You choose to be a reliable son or daughter, an attentive student, a supportive teammate. You show how hard you practice every day, every repetition.
Saban discusses players giving them a better chance to win. "What's significant to my job is to have guys keep competing..."
Whether you start or are a reserve, you must fully engage in your process. Saban says, "the process is what you have to do day in and day out to be successful." That matters whether you're in the classroom or on the court.
When you practice, are you fired up and ready to go? When you get in games, have you prepared, studied the game plan, paid attention to the game flow and both teams' strengths, weaknesses, techniques, and tactics? Carpe diem...seize the day. "Do more to become more; become more to do more."
Reserve players push the starters to work harder. Competitors give no quarter and ask for none. I've heard of starting players telling younger players to lighten up on them. That's selfish and amateurish. "Iron sharpens iron."
"Basketball is a game of mistakes." Work to reduce your weaknesses and make fewer mental and physical errors.
"But the coaches don't notice me." Using Urban Meyer's mantra, I say Be above the line
Coaches see more than you think. The team takes a lap. Who cuts the corners? During layup drills, who goes hard to the basket with their head up? In a defensive drill, are you in a stance and focused or mailing it in? Who shows up for offseason workouts?
Kevin Eastman, former Celtics' assistant says, "you own your paycheck." He means that your work and your contribution determines your role and your minutes.
Don't be a distraction. You become a distraction when you blame, complain, and deny. You're a distraction when you underachieve in the class or abuse social media.
Ignore the noise. Listen to your coaches. They tell you what to do to improve and to put you in a position to succeed. As much as your parents, family, and friends like you, they often serve your ego not your needs. Be willing to hear what you need to hear, not what you want to hear.
Find ways to add value on the bench and ironically you'll spend less time there.
Bonus: "Milwaukee Bucks stuff", simple is better.
Simple action after post entry to create mismatches.