Friday, September 6, 2024

Basketball: Pedestals and Monkeys

Society faces "big picture" problems, bigger than basketball - elder care, child care, housing. How do we get moonshots? 

What are our biggest challenges? In a world of hard problems, which comes first building pedestals or training monkeys?

Restated, choose priorities wisely. To achieve moonshots (great things), tackle the hard tasks first. 

Imagine we commit to building a sustainable, competitive basketball program. 

What's the easy path, the "quick fix", the "bonus now" approach? Is it public relations, a new gym floor, hiring a "name" coach, fundraising, upgrading the schedule? 

Greatness arises from the players, their skill, basketball IQ, athleticism, desire, and competitive character. 

And they're not metaphorical monkeys, just what matters most to success. 

It takes sweaty, long summer evenings in the gym or on the asphalt, time in the weight room, the film room. There is no easy.

As programs seek reinvigoration, avoid the pedestal mentality and have the patience and diligence to do the hard things first.  

Lagniappe. The "valuable heuristic" (analogy) explains priorities. 


Lagniappe 2. Players set the roles. 

Lagniappe 3. Great spacing. Great concept. Great execution.