In Kevin Eastman's Why the Best Are the Best, he discusses a handful of relevant *Bility words for basketball. Here's a hint - nobility, edibility, and immobility aren't among them.
The former Celtics' assistant and Clippers' VP of Basketball Operations discusses the *bility words in his chapter on Accountability. For example, Bill Belichick says that "durability is more important than ability."
In addition to sharing examples of accountability, Coach Eastman encourages us to develop our own *bility lists and our definitions. To me, accountability means holding yourself to a high standard of performance.
Here are four *bility brands that I favor and why.
Accountability. Our team values include teamwork, improvement, and accountability. It's not MY team, it's YOUR team. Having positive attitude, making good choices, and showing great effort show accountability to each other.
Adaptability. Darwin actually wrote, that it's not survival of the fittest but the most adaptable.
Adaptability recognizes that conditions change and survivors change with them. Adaptable teams can play fast or slow, from ahead or behind, and have the resilience to overcome adversity like losses and injury.
Responsibility. Basketball is just one part of your life. Be balanced. High character players are responsible at home, in the classroom, and to their community. Responsible players show up on time, fired up, and ready to go.
Possibility. I want players not to focus on where they've been but where they can go. Becoming your better version requires the vision and commitment to see what you can be.
Lagniappe:
Chris Oliver shares "pinch post from anywhere" creating 1-4 spacing, dribble pitch, and screen across options.I don't like bringing 2 defenders to the ball in late clock situations. Here is an idea we tried last year we called "13" that evolved from this clip...was a pinch post action from anywhere. Other than a high ball screen...any other ideas? pic.twitter.com/IRgPDQ3n6p— Chris Oliver (@BBallImmersion) August 21, 2018
Lagniappe 2:
Blend form shooting with range extension. Fall in love with easy. Here's the drill:
1) Start close to the basket.
2) Make three consecutive shots.
3) Step back about two feet. Make another three consecutive shots.
4) When you miss two in a row, move closer to your previous range.
5) Volume success shooting produces consistency and confidence.
Steal every great idea that you can and modify them to become your own. "Good artists borrow; great artists steal." - Picasso
Lagniappe 3:
Find style that works for you and make it yours.
Lagniappe 4:
Great shooters score toward the back of the goal. Note this overhead view of Herbie Hancock's hands. He plays most of the keys at the back end of the key, not just the flats and the sharps.
