"Good artists borrow, great artists steal." - Picasso
I've stolen the article framework from Medium.com by Sinem Gunel. It's that good. That's our job, finding edges to create sustainable competitive advantage. That applies to basketball and other sports, and through politics, business, and society. Gerrymandering is redrawing congressional districts to favor one party or another. Businesses ask buyers to draw up product specifications describing their product and not a competitors. A driver keeps newspapers and hot coffee available for riders to provide superior customer service.
“For every moment you spend gathering information, I think you ought to spend two moments making sense of it.” — Malcolm Gladwell
Study and work add value. But ability to apply data and inform context from content separates wisdom from knowledge. The thickest playbook becomes irrelevant when players don't collaborate and execute. "Technique beats tactics" and "every day is personal development day." Most times, envy over minutes, role, and recognition was not matched by unrequired work.
Do analytics drive strategy or do talented teams express that through analysis? The Celtics are 21st in NBA three-point shooting. But last night they made 44% to win by over fifty. In seven of nine NBA games last night, the team with the higher three-point percentage won. What about the exceptions? In Philadelphia's win, 42 points from Embiid with zero threes was the difference maker (the Pelicans shot 'few' threes) and the Timberwolves won at the free throw line. In other words, other factors overcompensated.
"Less is more."
Professionals specialize because it allows them to govern the firehose of information. Decades ago, an expert gave a brilliant lecture on drug-induced lung disease. Case presentation "Professor's Rounds" preceded it, where the doctor analyzed a respiratory problem outside of Circle of Competence. His analysis proved limited. Develop GO TO and COUNTER moves and after mastery, expand your portfolio. Master a few areas and success follows. Invest daily time working on your "closer" moves if that's your goal.
"Those who have money make decisions for those who don’t."
Some say that we have the "best government that money can buy." And that money comes from "Billionaire Boys Club" PACs. Professional sports "owners" set the rules in concert with the labor unions of the rich, like the NBA Players Association. Big college donors "hire and fire" coaches. There are even stories of wealthy private donors ousting high school coaches. We'll see how NIL reconfigures the landscape of college sports. But it pays to remember the Golden Rule, "he who has the gold makes the rules."
"Stop chasing your “passion” — do this instead."
"Find out what your strengths are and how you can use them to your advantage." Although as Coach Knight says, "passers pass, shooters shoot, and everyone plays defense," the more you emphasize your "NBA skill" the surer your niche will be.
If you're an elite rebounder or great defender, leverage your skills to earn your minutes, role, and recognition. Meanwhile, develop complementary skills.
The "3 and D" guys make a great living even without the cornucopia of skills that the Max Contract guys do.
Steal the Danish Secrets to Happy Living. "They’re known for their concept of hygge, which can be translated as “the art of creating a pleasant atmosphere.” Atmosphere or culture surrounding programs is complex. Great teams excel at collaboration. They develop mindset, mentors, and culture that allows them to perform at high levels. That doesn't mean total equity among players. As I've written often, Erik Spoelstra reminds us, "There is always a pecking order." But chemistry matters and it's the coach who ultimately gets credited or discredited.
The lion's share of the Spurs success was the triumvirate of Duncan, Parker, and Ginobili. But Gregg Popovich coached the egos ("get over yourself") and kept work the focus ("pound the rock").
- Take the time to analyze content and context.
- Less is more.
- Remember the Golden Rule, "He who has the gold makes the rules."
- Go beyond passion - seek excellence.
- Create championship culture in our lives.