Total Pageviews

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Fast Five: Just Like Me and Two Bonuses

In Meng Tan's Search Inside Yourself, he discusses the science and practice of mindfulness. No stickler for grammar, he recommends this exercise, which he calls "Just Like Me." 

Here's an excerpt:

"This person has a body and a mind, just like me.

This person has feelings, emotions, and thoughts just like me.

This person has, at some point in his or her life, been sad, disappointed, angry, hurt, or confused, just like me." 

Phil Jackson advises, "basketball is sharing." Effective players impact the game favorably and make teammates better. How can a good player alienate a teammate? 

Tan distinguishes being angry from being indignant. Anger occurs when we feel powerless but we are indignant when we can change the situation. 

1. Lack of engagement. When a player disengages in transition defense or doesn't know her assignment, we feel indignant. 


2. Shot selection. When a player takes a situationally inappropriate shot, a "my turn" shot, or a (Doc Rivers term) "shot turnover," we are indignant.

3. Ball stopper. When a player won't pass the ball (distinguish can't from won't), especially ignoring an open teammate, we are indignant. 

4. Lack of communication. Help your teammates. When a player doesn't talk, she isn't helping her teammates. Talk "early, loud, and often." 

5. Personal agendas. When a player is more concerned about her 'numbers' and 'minutes' than about her teammates, we are indignant. But remember, "This person has feelings, emotions, and thoughts just like me." We need to find out why and whether we can solve the problem. 

Bonus: 


Hubie Brown on pre-shot preparation..."step, T, reach." 


Hubie Brown's version of "America's Play."