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Friday, August 30, 2024

Basketball: Choices

Trader Ed Seykota once said, "Everyone gets what they want from the markets." Basketball is similar. 

Great players, gifted by size and/or athleticism, decide how to shape those gifts physically and mentally. Michelangelo allegedly said that a statue exists in a block of marble. His job was to craft it. 

How a player chooses to cultivate that garden of gifts defines their destiny. Perhaps Kobe Bryant was the most driven.  

What are some choices? 

Commitment. Do you like the game or love it? It takes time to know. "Nothing great is ever accomplished without enthusiasm." The game is too hard to master without obsession. 

Coaching. Find mentors. Be eclectic and pull the best from each and discard the detritus. When you're lucky, you stumble upon a few who educate, inspire, and give constructive feedback and advice. I believe there's value in getting coaching from a variety of experienced coaches. 

Concentration. Will you be a single-sport athlete or multi-sport? Here's a Brave AI take:

Sport Specialization in Basketball: Single vs. Multi-Disciplinary Approach

Research suggests that multi-sport athletes, including those who play basketball, tend to have an advantage over single-sport athletes. Here are some key findings:

  • Injury prevention: Multi-sport athletes are less likely to suffer overuse injuries compared to single-sport athletes. A study published in the Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine found that early single-sport specialization increases the risk of overuse injuries. (Source: Patrick S. Buckley, MD, et al., 2017)
  • Transferable skills: Playing multiple sports helps develop foundational athletic skills, such as speed, agility, and strength, which can benefit basketball performance. A study by Rugg, Kadoor, Feeley, and Pandya (2017) found that multi-sport athletes had a lower propensity for injury and better athletic performance compared to single-sport athletes.
  • Broader experiences: Multi-sport athletes gain diverse experiences, socially and developmentally, which can enhance their overall athletic development and coachability. As Michelle Smith, a veteran sports parent, notes, “Being a bench player on the basketball team is a different experience than being a starting pitcher on the baseball team. It’s an opportunity to broaden their experiences, socially and developmentally.”
  • Reduced pressure: Playing multiple sports can reduce pressure to excel in a single sport, allowing athletes to enjoy the process and develop a more sustainable approach to their athletic career.

Notable examples of successful multi-sport athletes who played basketball include:

  • Wilt Chamberlain, who played volleyball professionally and was a multi-sport athlete in high school, competing in track and field, basketball, and football.
  • Rube Waddell, who played professional football and baseball before focusing on basketball.
  • Herb Washington, a former college sprinter who played basketball professionally.

In contrast, single-sport athletes may focus intensely on basketball, potentially leading to:

  • Overuse injuries and burnout
  • Limited exposure to diverse athletic experiences and skills
  • Increased pressure to excel, potentially affecting overall well-being

Community. With so much recruiting, players decide whether to stay local or play away at private or prep schools. Everyone should decide what is right for them. Always consider the 'fit' because the grass is not always greener. 

Conviction. Have perspective on your situation. While a few percent of high school players will earn basketball scholarships, most will 'major' in something other than sports. Should you put all you eggs in that basket and ignore academics and other personal development, you are likely to be disappointed. 

Lagniappe. Coach Dags advises matching your training with your projected role. 

Lagniappe 2. Without confidence, failure is inevitable.  

Lagniappe 3. Connection. Command. Competence. Coach K. 

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