Coaches find truth from the Speaking Teacher and the Silent Teacher (clip above). Truth is fundamental to basketball. Getting your head handed to you teaches.
David Mamet's MasterClass has two chapters about lies and truth. His first rule comes from Rabbi Mordecai Finley, "don't lie." Coaches own truth-seeking. "To tell the truth, you have to figure out what the truth is."
Mamet contends lies include "intent to injure." Basketball separates truth from lies. Recruiting dishonestly or misleading about roles are lies. Encouragement without promises is not a lie.
Kevin Eastman says, "players have to tell the truth, live the truth, and take the truth."
"Coaches don't have favorites" is a lie. Coaches favor players who are committed, punctual, prepared, smart, and good teammates. Character doesn't replace talent, but Etorre Messina reminds us, "character is skill number one."
Crafty defense is not a lie. "Pulling the chair" is art.
Great fakes are not lies.
Trying to draw fouls covers a lot of ground. Flopping is lying. "False hustle" and "buddy running" (running with an opponent) in defensive transition are forms of lying to yourself.
Adopt Bob Woodward's advice, "find the best version of the truth."
Lagniappe: Two Truths and a Lie
There's an exercise, two truths and a lie, where you tell two truths and a lie about yourself. Can you make a lie believable?
Lagniappe 2: Our job isn't to be the best __________ coach; it's becoming the best coach we can be for our team.
Lagniappe 3: Tip. Get faster. In her MasterClass, 37 year-old Serena Williams says, "everyone has gotten a lot faster." She does forty-yard sprint drills at least twice a week. She goes for her 24th Grand Slam title in the Wimbledon final.
Lagniappe 4: Ball reversal. Principles translate. Williams advises controlling the center of the court by moving the ball around.