Wednesday, October 2, 2024

"Beyond Basketball"

Coach Mike Krzyzewski wrote Beyond Basketball and elaborates on key words from BELIEF, to CARE, and EXCELLENCE. 

He shares examples of the words. For example with EXCELLENCE, he discusses how Elton Brand and Shane Battier were different players but excelled in performance and recognition and each won National Player of the Year in different seasons. 

Coach K advises players to become the best version of themselves by always doing their best. This reminds me of Don Miguel Ruiz and his 4th agreement in The Four Agreements, "always do your best."  

These are some examples of the words Coach K discusses:

Passion
Poise
Pressure
Pride
Respect 
Selflessness
Standards
Talent
Trust 
Will 
Work 

It's easy to dismiss "soft skills" as not 'executable' as clearly as ball containment, court communication, rebounding, screening, or shooting. It's easier to dismiss claims that "I'd take a 2-star recruit with a 5-star work ethic over a 5-star recruit with a 2-star work ethic any day."

Without soft skills such as belief, commitment, focus, resilience, and selflessness, the chance of success for players and coaches is negligible. 

It's not either, or. Players require measurables - athleticism and skill, and intangibles - game understanding and resilience. Inspiration and aspiration alone can't compensate for preparation and perspiration. 

The challenge is to identify and to develop the high character, elite athlete. 

Lagniappe. "How you practice is who you are." 
Lagniappe 2. How much does it mean to you? 
Lagniappe 3. Find concepts to borrow. 
    






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