Tuesday, December 20, 2022

Basketball: Thoughts on Unselfishness and The Adams Family

Unselfishness is the enemy of teamwork. As a player half a century ago, I knew my role didn't depend on my numbers but those of the guy I had to cover. A key rule is, "It's the scoreboard not the scorebook."

Selfishness undermines teams every day and everywhere. Here are a few thoughts:

1. "There are no 'my turn' shots." Be able to contribute without 'shooting it'. 

2. Bob Knight said, "Just because I want you on the floor doesn't mean I want you to shoot." Know your role. 

3. Get 7s. The best shots are 9's, 90 percenters (uncontested layups). Terrible shots are Doc Rivers' "shot turnovers." 

4. Know what a quality shot is for you and each teammate. Help them get their shots in their spots. 

5. Unselfish players find ways to win possessions. Do whatever it takes - taking charges, setting and fighting through screens, hitting the floor. 

6. "Be easy to play with and hard to play against." 

7. "Basketball is sharing." - Phil Jackson   That includes shared vision, shared sacrifice, shared results. Share the ball, make the extra pass, talk on defense. 

8. Roy Williams had thresholds for players to get 'green-lighted' for three point shots (60 percent in practice). Pressure, fatigue, and defense degrade results. 

9. Leadership addresses selfish play and how to erase it. "That is not how we play." 

10.Learning how to be happy for the success of the team and the success of teammates is NOT easy for some players and families.  

Don Meyer said that most parents would rather see their son be All-State than have the team win States. 

Chuck Daly's quote was timeless, "every player wants 48 - 48 minutes, 48 shots, $48 million." 

"Everyone can't be a great player but everyone can choose to be a great teammate."

Lagniappe. You may not agree with all, but he has rationale for his defense of non-paint twos.


  • See it, speak it.
  • Pressure the ball. 
  • Force weak hand.
  • Do not foul.
  • Rebound aggressively. 
He argues that we set the tone for our team in the first half hour of practice. What do you do at both ends of the court?

Lagniappe 2. "...a game of cutting and passing" is beautiful 

Lagniappe 3. Simple BOB postup



 

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