Thursday, June 1, 2023

Basketball: "It Takes What It Takes"

"It takes what it takes." - Nick Saban 

What do great players have in common? 

They do what others don't. 


From Anson Dorrance's "Vision of a Champion"
  • They do unrequired work. 
  • They say 'yes' to growth opportunities. 
They are relentless. 

  • They show up early and stay late. 
  • They do not quit.
  • They never cheat the drill. 
They make everyone around them better.
  • Excellence impacts winning. 
  • Great players end possessions - get stops, scores, rebounds, assists. 
  • Consistency matters. 
  • You know it when you see it. 
They bring intangibles every day. 
  • Toughness is a skill.
  • Basketball IQ is their calling card.
  • They embrace challenges. 
  • Coachability...they want improvement.
  • They make winning plays not just 'scorebook' plays 
Envision players in four 'now' and 'future' categories:
- Lottery picks
- First round draft choices
- Second round draft choices
- Street free agents

It's possible to move up or down a level but tough to go up two levels. When one team has multiple 'lottery picks' or rosters studded with first round picks, they have a formidable edge. 

As a player, move up a level.
  • Become more athletic...strength, conditioning, explosiveness.
  • Find a mentor. Get suggestions on 'need' areas. 
  • Play a lot, including against better competition. 
  • Outwork everyone. 
  • Work on skills with a partner.
  • Be a tracker. Constantly seek personal bests.
  • Become your own coach.  
  • "Invest your time, don't spend it."
  • Edit the physical and mental mistakes out of your game. 
Lagniappe. This won't work consistently which doesn't mean it can't work. Jim Boeheim teaches the 'front' of the 2-3 to have 'fingers touching'. It will be tough to screen both defenders in that configuration. 

 



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