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Monday, March 16, 2020

Basketball: Kevin Eastman on 'The Basketball Podcast'

Kevin Eastman never stops sharing. Recently on The Basketball Podcast he spoke with Chris Oliver. Eastman is an NBA Champion (assistant on the Celtics) and authored Why the Best Are the Best, a terrific book. Eastman excels as student and teacher of the game, reading at least two hours daily. Take advantage of the lockdown. 

Here are excerpts:

There are two types of people, those who never get there and the learn-it-alls who might. 

Three F's - "Success leaves footprints." Find (educators), follow (study them), fit them (does it work for us?). Internalize and build upon our foundation. 

"Recognition." Appreciate and recognize those who help. SHARED CREDIT is a common theme among top leaders. 

"Truth" is a vital part of success. Truth doesn't mean negativity. Invest more time in players off the floor. Relationship building establishes trust. 

Gregg Popovich is a guy players want to play for because his relationships build trust. 

"Skill development" can't be emphasized enough

"Film study" (has a rule of 13 clips or less...what are the best clips for today?)

"If you do a good job, you can adjust for the next opponent in a day." 

"Get to the mind by traveling through the heart." 

"Purposeful accidental collisions." - Lawrence Frank (small conversations with players that make a difference)... this is similar to Pat Riley's "catch people in the act of doing something right." 

"Oh sh*t meetings." Expected the worst and Doc Rivers asked for his opinion... he felt better for having his opinion valued. 

"Sustained success doesn't happen by accident." You can't wait around for success. Successful people live their words. 

"Do you love winning or do you love coaching?" 

"Your team has to feel it, see it, and hear it." 

Players need clarity to be held accountable. Understand the task to do it. 

"Pause." "Do I need to say this? (Remember how Abraham Lincoln had his "hot letters" that he wrote and NEVER sent. The same applies to conversation and email.)

Keep messages short to communicate better. 

"Habit is something you need in...the moment of truth." Habits come from repetitions. I believe it was Jocko Willink who said, "we sink to the level of our training." 

Keys to a good workout? Practice at a faster tempo. When Ray Allen struggled, he first evaluated shot selection. Second, he evaluated his feet (balance)...he drilled sometimes without a ball. Third, he took more shots.

What could players learn better at a lower level? (How to be professional)
- Routine (game and practice)
- Detail (younger)
- Defensive skill development (e.g. pick-and-roll)
- Film study 
- Mental game (dealing with mistakes, poor performance, social media, etc.)

Persisting differences from the Celtics 2008 team. 
- Mindset 
- Simplicity (be the best at limited approaches). 
- On defense - energy, simplicity, communication
- Be able to tell and take hard truths. It wasn't personal. 

Dimensions of success:
- Learn from the past (evaluation)
- Produce in the present (execution)
- Prepare for the future (preparation)

Summary: pick 6

- "Success leads footprints."
- Practice at a higher tempo. (Especially noticed at a Geno Auriemma practice.
- Share credit.
- Rule of 13 for film clips. Hold players accountable. 
- Do you love winning or do you love coaching?
- Teach players to be professional (routine of excellence)

Lagniappe: 


Winning, personal sacrifice, accountability. Confront violations of culture right away. 

Lagniappe 2: from the Playbook



Early offense emphasizes movement and good fundamentals. 

Lagniappe 3: "Great leadership concepts cross domains." Leadership in business, education, sports, the arts, and more overlap.