Education changes behavior...or not. Quotes crystallize concepts. Perhaps a few will resonate. Surely you have your own.
"Your actions speak so loudly I cannot hear a word you say." If our actions don't align with our words, we won't earn buy-in, trust, and loyalty.
"Get more and better shots than your opponent." Pete Newell's advice is timeless, linking possession to quantity and quality. It's the qualitative "Four factors."
"Basketball is sharing." - Phil Jackson Homo sapiens advanced from 70,000 B.C. to the present through collaboration. Small groups (estimates under 150 people) learned to share tasks and responsibilities for the welfare of the community. Division of labor and dispersion of knowledge continues across sport and society. Jackson's words encapsulate what connects teams with success.
"The ball is gold." - Sonny Lane Coach Lane taught taking care of the basketball (as did many others) before Dean Oliver was born (1978). Turnovers kill coaches. Turnovers kill minutes. Turnovers kill dreams.
Zak Boisvert's graphic provides a framework.
"The game honors toughness." You've all read the Jay Bilas article and even better his book. It's reliability, durability, smarts, teamwork, doing what must be done when the team needs it. Calling out individuals or teams as soft indicts identity and character.
"Finish plays." Urban Meyer said, "4 to 6, A to B." Be fully engaged each play. Exceptional players are possession enders, leading to or getting scores and stops.
"Help your teammates." Make the effort to be a great teammate on and off the court. Let players know it's on your radar.
"Get over yourself." - Gregg Popovich Put the team first, the program first. "Thinking about yourself less doesn't mean thinking less of yourself." Nobody likes a stat rat. If you're sulking after a win, people see.
"I believe in you." There's nothing better than hearing coaches tell you. You can only be as good as you believe you are.
Lagniappe. Coach Ayers relates passing across sports.
