In Bridge of Spies, Tom Hanks gets a brilliant answer from his client, "would it help?"
sWe source a universe of content (in books, lectures, and on the Internet), but how do we find and reassemble it? What helps?
Read every day to access wisdom and perspective. Nassim Taleb writes in Skin in the Game, "Thou shalt not become antifragile at the expense of others. Simply, asymmetry in risk bearing leads to imbalances and, potentially, to systemic ruin." In his book, Michael Lombardi discusses the problem of playing for Jon Gruden. When you win, he's the genius. When you lose, Gruden blames the talent. Read and extract big ideas.
Last night we had tryouts, blending a limited amount of fundamental assessment with a larger dose of 3-on-3, 4-on-4, and 5-on-5 play, prioritizing seeing players competing and demonstrating individual and team play. Included in that are sessions without dribbling and with limited and unlimited dribbling.
Why have only one tryout session? Return to the pivotal question, "would it help?" Would more time reveal the size, athleticism, skill, and toughness of those assembled? I think not.
If your free throw shots are missing a foot wide or jump shots smacking off the top of the window, "would it help?" On another day, if you have lesser developed footwork and maneuvering speed, "would it help?"
Be detail oriented. Thomas Keller operates Michelin 3-star restaurants on both coasts. He meticulously measures ingredients and combines them with exacting precision. He writes his recipes in grams and is exacting in food handling, timing, and space management in his kitchen.
Here chef Keller is cooking a lobster broth, a sautee of lobster carcass in olive oil, with added chopped tomato, sweet carrots, and tarragon in water. He strains this initial composition through a coarse strainer (left) and then a fine strainer (chinois), before reducing. The reduced mixture adds cream for his creamy orzo upon which his poached lobster in beurre monte is plated with a Parmesian tuile.
The point? We begin with "raw ingredients" to combine and refine. Some players define themselves as the heart of the dish. Others add distinct and complementary flavors. Having good components is necessary but not sufficient for success. Cooking a dish a few times is necessary but not sufficient for restaurant quality food. With purpose, precision, and experience we have a chance to make great meals, but everyone must play her part.
Lagniappe: Collin Castellaw with tips on fixing your chicken wing (flared elbow). This is a big issue for some players. Take a video and experiment with foot position, hand position, and review your shot line. Thanks, Coach Castellaw.
