"If you look for the helpers, you'll know that there's hope."
Eulogies often shine light on humanity's best. Death redeems us, recasts our lives. At a service recently, a eulogist reminded us Mr. Roger's advice to look for help.
How often must we hear that? The Navy SEALs say, "two is one and one is none." Dean Smith always credited contributors to victory who got less attention.
To get help, recognize "I do not know." Maybe someone else does. Seeking help demands humility. When I taught medical students, I told them two critical answers in medicine, "I don't know" and "that's a good idea, we should do that."
Players help literally and figuratively, both offensively and defensively
Triangle help covers the nail, basket, and weak side with account for the biggest threats.
Offenses also provide help by setting screens and relocating (below)
Offenses can provide simple relocation (above)...
...or more complexity as 2 sets a pindown, then clears to isolate 5 on ball reversal. Knowing when to get out of the way is a skill.
"Look for the helpers" is a versatile phrase. Use it after school to get clarity on a problem or help with homework. It's a valuable message for newlyweds and long-married couples. It assuages our grief and pain of loss, inevitable in life and basketball. Coaches help players and each other...and great players make those around them better.
How can we help? How can we help better?
Lagniappe: Warmup with a purpose.