Basketball- Fast Five, Mamba Mentality

Everyone knows Kobe Bryant for championships, skill, and work ethic. What lies at the core of “Mamba Mentality?”

Start with major accomplishments:

• Five NBA Championships, two time Finals MVP
• Fourth All-Time NBA scoring leader 33,643
• 18 Time All-Star, four time All-Star game MVP
• 11 Time First team All-NBA
• 12 Time NBA All-Defensive team, nine times First Team
• Two Olympic gold medals

Worth remembering...Bryant saw the movie Rudy and wondered what he could accomplish blending his natural gifts and the determination of the Notre Dame walk-on. 

ChatGPT Summarizes Five key points from Mamba Mentality

Obsessive Preparation
Kobe emphasized detailed preparation—studying opponents, watching game film, and mastering fundamentals. He believed success came from outworking everyone, not just during games but every day in practice and recovery.

Relentless Work Ethic
His legendary early morning workouts and willingness to push through pain and fatigue exemplified his belief that hard work could surpass talent. He sought marginal gains in every area of his game.

Attention to Detail
Kobe approached basketball with precision, studying footwork, angles, and mechanics. Whether mimicking Michael Jordan or learning from soccer and dance, he constantly refined the smallest elements of his play.

Mental Resilience
The "Mamba Mentality" meant cultivating toughness—thriving under pressure, bouncing back from setbacks, and staying focused on long-term goals. Kobe treated adversity as an opportunity to grow stronger.

Love for the Craft
Above all, Kobe had deep respect and passion for the game. He saw basketball as art, constantly evolving and demanding full commitment. That love drove his dedication, creativity, and competitive fire.

What do you remember most about Bryant's approach? 

• Rising up for a jumper out of the jab step.
• Indefatigable offseason workouts - 1,000 shots a day
• Film breakdown sessions
• Competitive character 
• Featured in the book, Relentless

Lagniappe. Kobe did video breakdowns. Remember, these preceded the proliferation of three point shooting. 

Lagniappe 2. The Kobe jab step with his tutorial. Study greatness in whatever domain you wish to excel. 

Basketball - Using AI to Improve Our Outputs

Don't fear being replaced by Artificial Intelligence (AI). Fear being outcoached by others using it well.

AI generates "hallucinations" in response to prompts. It wants to make us happy and wants not to make mistakes. Varying the prompts generates different answers and different AI systems (ChatGPT, DeepSeek, Claude.ai) generate different responses. 

AI won't get its feelings hurt by our questions or our declining to follow its advice. 

Let's try the same prompt for a couple of AIs. 

"What are the top three biggest causes for basketball defensive failure?"

ChatGPT: The three biggest causes of defensive failure in basketball are:

1. Poor Ball Containment
   If defenders can’t stay in front of the ball, it collapses the defense. Help defenders must rotate, creating open shots, mismatches, and rebounding vulnerabilities. Strong ball containment reduces the need for help, preserves defensive structure, and forces lower-percentage shots.

2. Slow or Incorrect Help Defense
   Even good on-ball defense breaks down sometimes. If help is late, absent, or undisciplined (e.g., unnecessary reach-ins, bad closeouts), it allows easy baskets or kick-out threes. Great defenses rotate sharply, communicate clearly, and recover fast to re-establish balance.

3. Lack of Communication and Awareness
   Defensive breakdowns often come from missed switches, backdoor cuts, or failed rotations—all rooted in silence or confusion. Players must talk constantly, see the whole floor, and anticipate rather than react. Smart defenses prevent problems before they start.

Deep Seek: 

In basketball, defensive failures often stem from a combination of poor execution, awareness, and effort. The **top three biggest causes** for defensive breakdowns are:

1. **Lack of Communication** 
   - Defensive success relies heavily on **switching, help defense, and calling out screens**. When players fail to communicate: 
     - Opponents get open shots due to missed assignments. 
     - Defenders get caught in screens, leading to mismatches. 
     - Weak-side help is late or nonexistent. 

2. **Poor Positioning & Awareness** 
   - Defensive failures often occur when players: 
     - **Ball-watch** (lose sight of their man or help responsibilities). 
     - Fail to **anticipate drives or passes**, allowing easy cuts or backdoor plays. 
     - Are out of **stance** (upright posture slows reaction time). 
     - Don’t **close out properly** on shooters, giving up open threes. 

3. **Lack of Effort & Hustle** 
   - Defense requires constant energy and urgency. Common effort-related failures: 
     - **Not sprinting back in transition**, leading to fast-break points. 
     - **Giving up on plays** (e.g., not contesting shots or chasing loose balls). 
     - **Lazy closeouts** or failing to **box out**, allowing second-chance points. 

**Honorable Mentions:** 
   - **Over-fouling** (bailouts for offensive players). 
   - **Mismatches exploited** (e.g., slow defenders on quick guards). 

Coaching is about relationships. How can we discuss 'demotion' of a player from the starting lineup? 

ChatGPT: A coach can approach the conversation with honesty, clarity, and care by saying something like: “I want to talk with you about today’s lineup decision. You’re not starting this game, and I know that’s tough to hear. This isn’t about your worth to the team—it’s about matchups, momentum, and giving us the best chance today. You’ve contributed a lot, and I still trust you. What matters most now is how you respond. Stay ready, stay connected, and support your teammates. I believe in you, and I’m looking forward to when your moment comes—because it will.” This approach centers trust, explains the rationale, and keeps the player engaged in the team’s mission.

Deep Seek: I wanted to talk to you about where things stand right now. I know how hard you’ve been working, and I respect your effort. Right now, we’re making some adjustments to help the team in certain situations, and that means your role might shift for a bit. This isn’t about giving up on you—it’s about finding the best way for us to succeed and for you to grow. Let’s keep working together in practice to sharpen the areas that’ll get you back on the floor. I believe in you, and I’m here to help you through this."* 

**Key elements:** 
1. **Acknowledge effort** (prevents discouragement). 
2. **Frame it as a team decision** (not personal). 
3. **Emphasize growth** (future opportunity). 
4. **Offer support** (keeps morale high). 

Realize that the response generated depends on the prompt. The more inclusive and expansive the prompt, the more detailed the answer. 

Prompt: I have a basketball coaching advice question. Our offense is in the bottom quarter of the league. We have speed and athleticism but not a lot of height. Our players have a good basketball IQ and are coachable. Please suggest a direction or options for us.

Given your team’s speed, athleticism, coachability, and basketball IQ—but a lack of height—you're in a strong position to pivot toward an offense built on pace, spacing, and movement rather than size or isolation.

Here are several directions worth considering:

1. 5-Out Motion Offense

• Why it fits: Maximizes space and neutralizes shot blockers since nobody’s anchored inside.

• What it requires: Players who can handle, cut hard, and read defenders.

• Benefits: Encourages backdoor cuts, drive-and-kick action, and makes help defense difficult for opponents.

• Tip: Teach “pass and cut,” “dribble hand-offs,” and “screen away” actions.

2. Dribble Drive Motion Offense (DDM)

• Why it fits: Emphasizes aggressive attacking off the dribble with kick-out threes and dump-offs.

• What it requires: Spacing, strong driving lanes, and guards who can read second-level defenders.

• Benefits: Forces defensive rotations and favors quick decision-makers over size.

3. Early Offense / Transition Focus

• Why it fits: Uses your team’s speed to create offense before the defense sets.

• What it requires: Conditioning, rebound-and-go freedom, and quick outlet decisions.

• Benefits: Creates scoring chances against unset defenses; reduces the half-court grind.

4. Cut and Replace Principles

• Blend motion and spacing by teaching players to constantly move—cut after passing, fill empty spots, and relocate.

• Emphasize reads over set plays: "When you see this defender sag, cut; when they trail, flare.”

---

Add-On Considerations:

• Screening Action: Use ball screens not to “free the roller” but to bend the defense and force closeouts, then attack off those rotations.

• Zone Offense: If you see a lot of zone (due to your height disadvantage), emphasize attacking gaps with quick passing, high-post touches, and skip passes to force movement.

---

This kind of offense requires buy-in, but your players' IQ and coachability make it feasible. Want help sketching out practice progressions to implement any of these systems?

1) Use technology to our advantage.

2) Apply it to player development, teaching, strategy, and conditioning

3) Experiment. 

4) Don't be intimidated. It's incredibly user friendly. 

Lagniappe. Adjust one action with options (multiple actions). 

The Iverson Over action is so common that running actions off of it is an effective way to make the defense think one thing is coming and then hit them with something else as in this example. pic.twitter.com/B4Jk43f5wq

— Chris Oliver (@BBallImmersion) December 18, 2024

Lagniappe 2. Competitive shooting. 

Competitive Shooting❗️

Defense picks the side and offense goes opposite.

No shot fakes allowed.

Make it - Take it! pic.twitter.com/Hjy8Gqg6ER

— Reid Ouse (@reidouse) April 28, 2025

 

Basketball - To Think Differently, Learn to See Differently

"Conventional thinking yields conventional results."

The US has a fentanyl problem. The useful 'conventional' approach is drug interdiction. Stop the supply of dangerous drugs. Have you heard the "chocolate chip cookie theory" of drug abuse? Why do people bake chocolate chip cookies? People want them. Can we reduce the demand for drugs?

Watching basketball, we "see" what we look for. Here's a brief digression from Mastermind: How to Think Like Sherlock Holmes by Maria Konnikova. 

1. Differentiate "observing" from "seeing." Pay attention to the details, not just the actions. 

2. Deduce what is happening. "It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data." Measure what impacts games. 

3. Maintain emotional detachment. "Emotions obscure judgement." Anger is not a solution. 

4. Be a continuous and lifelong learner. Learning is a habit. 

How can we think differently by seeing differently? To assess a team's effectiveness, examining the scoreboard isn't enough. 

Is a team "playing hard?" Review video for 'urgency'. 

• Is the team getting beaten in transition? Do they beat opponents to half court, protect the basket, stop the ball? 
• Does the offense sprint to screen, set up cuts, cut hard? 
• Does the team win more than its share of loose balls? 
• Does the defense consistently pressure the ball? 

Is the team playing smart? 

• What's the spacing? "Spacing is offense and offense is spacing." - Chuck Daly
• Study shot charts. What's the quality of the shots? Are the best shooters getting the most shots in their preferred spots? 
• Is the team fouling in an undisciplined way? 
• Is the team moving without the ball to improve passing? 
• Does the defense load to the ball and cover 1.5 (your player and half of another?)
• Are turnovers arising from decisions, execution, or both? 

Does the team demonstrate flexibility?

• Does it adjust tempo to game situations (extend or shorten games)?
• Does it use multiple defenses, multiple coverages (e.g. pick-and-roll)?
• How does it score - 3s, layups, free throws, sets, transition? 

It's "too easy" to generalize about basketball without looking deeper. Our vision depends on our focus. 

Lagniappe. Manipulate spacing. 

View on Threads

Lagniappe 2. Offense creates edges and defense limits them. 

THIS IS BASKETBALL

Every good offense has great spacing, the ability to create advantages, and then can execute on those advantages. Sometimes it’s hard to explain what this actually means to players.

This video is one of the best I’ve seen that shows great spacing, keeping… pic.twitter.com/BqRrUZy6NY

— Steve Dagostino (@DagsBasketball) April 17, 2025

Lagniappe 3. Think back to playing basketball in high school. As James Naismith said, "Basketball is an easy game to learn and a difficult one to master." 

"Most good things, it takes a long time to figure them out." Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World by Adam Grant, Sheryl Sandberg

How Coaching Resembles Stock Trading

Life and literature suggest analogies for coaching. Listening to a Blinkist analysis of "The Little Book of Market Wizards," students find abundant comparisons. Judge for yourself. 

1) "Match the method to the man." Managing money is first about managing risk - the risk of permanent loss of capital. The "permanent loss of capital" in coaching is losing your job. "High risk" appears in the form of character deficiency in individuals or in team culture. 

Authenticity matters and every coach must navigate that path among relationships, player development, strategy, and game management.

2) Persist through failure. Immediate success doesn't occur in trading and didn't occur for Dean Smith or Mike Krzyzewski. The "Wizard of Westwood" John Wooden didn't win an NCAA title at UCLA until his 16th season. 

Coaches need a supportive environment to help them succeed. Be aware that not everyone wants a new coach to succeed or an older coach to stay. 

3) Manage risk first. "Risk control reflects humility, which is essential to success." Risk management includes establishing meaningful relationships, a clear philosophy, and successful culture. 

4) Cultivate patience. Player and team development take time. Winston Churchill said, “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat. We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind. We have before us many, many long months of struggle and of suffering." Adding value takes time. Teaching players the game takes time. Teaching teams to win takes time. 

5) Remain flexible. Coaches have options including fitting systems to players or fitting players to systems. Small, fast, athletic players won't do as well in a slower half-court offense as in transition. When you cannot 'recruit' players for your system, you must solve the problem of using available talent. "Control emotions. Fear, ego, impulse, and adrenaline are invisible enemies."

6) Control emotions. Trading and coaching both rely on self-control. You can lose money and you can lose relationships through frustration, bias, and anger. Our words and our actions reflect our ability to maintain composure and control of our decisions. 

7) Cut losses. Let winners run. Kevin Eastman teaches, "do it better, do it harder, change personnel, or #$%& it ain't working (change strategy)." 

Return to Bill Belichick's four winning values:

• Do your job. 
• Work hard. 
• Pay attention to details.
• Put the team first. 

They cross every domain. 

Lagniappe. Follow this thread. 

Skills that travel from level to level.
1. Rebounding ( range, radius, positioning , leverage )
2. Getting fouled ( body contact , shoulder bumps, fakes , 2nd efforts, acting )
3. Turnovers ( playing in tight spaces, indecision, contact balance, lack of vision, 1 hand player)

— Tom Crean (@TomCrean) April 17, 2025

Lagniappe 2. Add constraints (time, numbers) to boost performance. Adjust distance for age and skill. Practice with a partner. 

Good test to see where you stack up
from behind the arc:

5 Minute 3s Around the Arc

Goal: 1 Ball
High School: 50
College: 60+

Goal: 2 Ball
High School: 62
College: 75+

(Via @JeremyShardo 🎥)

pic.twitter.com/J2pq8B4wkk

— Hoop Herald (@TheHoopHerald) April 18, 2025

 

Basketball - Help Players Retain Information

Improve process to improve outcomes. By the time that we coach players, they are old enough to link process to outcome.
 

Teach learning strategies. Metacognition means "learning how to learn." Make your learning process active.

What is our core philosophy? TIA - teamwork, improvement, accountability. 

Summarize how to become more effective in team play. "Get more and better shots than our opponents." 

Be specific. Explain what "playing hard" means. Hitting the deck, setting strong screens, cutting urgently, sprinting back on defense, blocking out. 

1) Focus. Computers don't "multitask," as they rapidly switch between individual processes. People don't have the same capability. Mindfulness improves attention span, grades, and standardized test scores. And yes, almost all pro teams have mindfulness trainers. 

2) Removing distractions (e.g. your phone) is part of the solution. 

3) Take breaks. The Pomodoro Technique is 25 minutes on and five off. Professional teams have learned that millennials and Gen Z are different. Some teams give players "phone breaks." Hard to believe? 

4) Space repetitions. Reviewing is better than single viewing. Players won't digest the playbook in one bite. Another way to help players is to run the same action from different sets and the same sets with different actions. 

5) Train analogical thinking. Learn how to relate ideas and solutions across disciplines. Need coaching analogies? CEO, chef, mad scientist, inventor, ship's captain and more. 

6) Self-test. Ask yourself "what do I know about serving? Go into as much detail as possible...types of screens, where to screen, and the details of screening and reading the defense. Review your screen with video. A coach was upset with his players' remember their offense. So he said, "You're getting a written test at the next practice; you don't pass, you don't start. Players learned the plays. 

7) Practice. If we want to improve at anything, use "deliberate practice." "Practice like hamburger, play like hamburger. Practice like steak..." Make everything at practice impact outcomes. Some coaches love "three man weave." I'm waiting to see it in a game.    

Lagniappe. Bad spacing = bad offense. Teach the three-point line as the spacing line. 

Spacing & different sets about actions for right player shooting right shots from best spots. Also, as C. Majerus said, "Getting space easy but re-spacing much more difficult". Well coached teams shift into open windows with penetration, post ups, O boards, or p/r action. https://t.co/rHYXz7f4DR

— Mike Dunlap (@CoachMikeDunlap) April 23, 2025

Lagniappe 2. Make a difference. Leave players with more than basketball. 

Lagniappe 3. New concepts often emerge overseas. 

GUT ACTIONS are becoming much more frequent at the college and professional level.

This is because most teams play a passive PNR coverage like drop or switch, plus hip lock off ball.

*** APPLY 2 and 3 MAN ACTIONS in the MIDDLE THIRD of the floor (gut) going vertically,… pic.twitter.com/AWR4NW6gtw

— Chris Steed (@steeder10) April 18, 2025

 

Where I Went Wrong Coaching Basketball

I committed more than my share of coaching mistakes. I'll share. 

I've met several guys who were the 'smartest guy in the room' in every room - Dr. Carl June and Scott Reamer for two. I'm absolutely not smart enough to know which basketball minds belong in that conversation. Better to have more talented players than a MENSA basketball mind.

1) Communication. Coordination with high school coaches. There absolutely could have been better communication from bottom to top. When the high school team was winning ten consecutive titles, there wasn't much. And when the program struggled after the high school coach retired, there was less. There's an old medical saying, "there are no street signs on drains." Bacteria go in both directions. 

2) Practice. I think we should have scrimmaged more. I used a variety of alternatives (small-sided games, 5 vs 7 pressure, and 3 possession games initiated by special situations). Economics studies the allocation of scarce resources and practice (two ninety-minute sessions/week) was never enough. 

3) Playing time. If anything, in a fee-based system (I volunteered), playing time was too fair. That cost the best players even more development. In developmental basketball, development should take priority over winning and it did. I regret not playing the top players more but 2 of 25 (total players coached) earned D1 scholarships and both will play in the A-10 next season. 

4) Strategy. We played less than five percent zone defense (mostly on BOBs). Parents and some players would have been happier if we played more zone. "Why can't we play zone?" Should coaches care about those opinions? If parents want to coach so badly, coaching would have been an option. With young players, investing more time on fundamentals adds more value than complex offenses or multiple, multiple defenses. 

5) Work-coaching-life balance. It's almost impossible to optimize work-life balance. To the young coaches, ask your family "what can I do for you?" on a regular basis. 

I'm sure that parents could supply far more negatives. 

Lagniappe. Put your team first. Be a great teammate. Impact winning. 

Important AAU weekend ahead for a lot of hoopers.

Some things to keep in mind on the road:

• Play aggressive. Don’t play passive. You get rewarded for acting. Not standing still.

• Demonstrate that you can play off the ball. 95% of the game is played without the ball. Most…

— Jeremy Brooks (@PGHBrooks) April 24, 2025

Lagniappe 2. Playoff NBA sets. 

The best sets from every team in Game 1 of the 1st Round of the NBA Playoffs: pic.twitter.com/kPcvIyjQsK

— Thibaut Tagnon (@TagnonThibaut) April 22, 2025

Lagniappe 3. Successful offense also happens with not great defense.  

Sideline inbound play where the action is all after inbound.

✔️ Entry
✔️ Inbound passer ghost flare
✔️ Double ball screen with ghost as 1st screen. pic.twitter.com/0rNf9HUWo3

— Chris Oliver (@BBallImmersion) April 17, 2025

Basketball - Managing Anxiety

Anxiety is normal, helping us respond to stressful situations. It can save us during "fight or flight" or render us paralyzed. Alexandra Solomon discussed anxiety management during a MasterClass.

Players develop anxiety before or during games. They tell themselves "We've never beaten that team" or "their pressure defense" or "how am I going to control Jones? She's so good."

Anxiety interferes as some players turn the ball over, delay decision-making, get trapped, or avoid getting the ball. 

Find solutions. 

Solomon explains that one antidote for anxiety is authenticity. Be yourself. That means if you have need areas, get extra instruction and training. The training bolsters confidence and helps prevent "imposter syndrome" where you don't believe in yourself. "You can only be as good as you believe you can be." 

Kobe Bryant reminded himself that he had tremendous physical gifts and if he applied himself with training, that would create an unstoppable force. 

Address anxiety with specific tools like the Four M's. 

1) Movement - stretching, yoga, or other exercise lessen anxiety. 

2) Music - there's no one size fits all music. Some people need calming music and others need activation. 

3) Mindful meditation. Take slow, deep cleansing breaths, visualization and recall your "highlight reel of success." More experienced athletes have a portfolio of success to resurrect. Jason Selk in 10-Minute Toughness recommends building a three-minute mental highlight reel. 

4) Mantra. Affirmations and self-talk have power. "This is who I am, a capable, determined winner." 

Remind players about opportunity. Turn anxiety into excitement. Isn't it awesome to be playing in the league championship game? How many players get a chance to experience that? 

Lagniappe. Managing anxiety. 

Lagniappe 2. Using film. 

No need to bog your players down with film. Hours of film and scouting reports aren't helpful if players don't watch it.

New York Liberty Director of Player Development Andrew Wade shares his simplified approach to film breakdown on The Basketball Podcast:… pic.twitter.com/V9m5990ei0

— Chris Oliver (@BBallImmersion) April 21, 2025

Lagniappe 3. Laying a brick.  

James Clear - "Rome wasn't built in a day, but they were laying bricks every hour. You don't have to do it all today; just lay a brick."

— Hoops Companion 🏀 Resources for Coaches (@Hoops_Companion) April 17, 2025

***Lagniappe 4. Is it about ego or improvement? 

WINS DON’T ALWAYS EQUAL GROWTH

This is the hardest part about development, especially at the youth / AAU levels. We can be fooled that wins actually mean we are getting better individually or as a team.

We know that we grow and learn from failing. The more competitive games… pic.twitter.com/K8TFquBlbV

— Steve Dagostino (@DagsBasketball) April 18, 2025

Excellence Resonates

What motivates players? It varies by individual - minutes, role, recognition, starting position, winning, competition, excellence. Do we ask players what motivates them? 

Words change lives. After a loss to the twice-defending State Champions, Coach Lane said, "you lost because you didn't believe in yourselves. The better team lost. We will not lose to them again." The beatdown raised us up. We won two rematches, including the sectionals.

What Coach Summitt did for me & what I hope to do for my players 💙 pic.twitter.com/VUrHNE1b37

— Kara Lawson (@karalawson20) January 8, 2022

What have you specifically told players that made a difference? 

"You're the best player I ever coached." 

"How you play is how you live your life." 

"I believe in you." 

"It's not enough to put in the time. Put in the work." 

What is your vision of excellence? 

• Bill Walsh emphasized Standard of Performance across an organization
• Kobe Bryant's Mamba Mentality informed relentless work
• Abraham Lincoln and Gandhi both stand as agents of change. "Be the change." 
• Dean Smith won championships and integrated college basketball
• Anson Dorrance crafted a competitive cauldron leading to continual ascension making UNC Women's Soccer synonymous with excellence

Use mental models to help define excellence. Inversion of excellence would include surrounding ourselves with sycophants and "yes men." Catalysts spark change. An organization that is closed and inflexible dooms itself to stagnation at a current level. Feedback loops reinforce or correct performance after careful assessment. "Do more of what works and less of what doesn't." 

Summary: 

• Be transformative not transactional. 
• Understand the power of words. 
• Establish a vision and culture of excellence

Lagniappe. If I worked that hard, what would my career look like? Kobe thread. 

Kobe Bryant was asked:
“What's your personal philosophy on success?”

His answer?

One simple rule - shaped by his favorite childhood movie.

It became the foundation of the Mamba Mentality:🧵 pic.twitter.com/zneSCxQeia

— Coach AJ 🎯 Mental Fitness (@coachajkings) April 22, 2025

Lagniappe 2. Master change of direction, acceleration, and deceleration. 

Misdirection Dribble Jabs

1️⃣ Cross Jab
2️⃣ Pocket Side Jab

When playing off the catch we focus on shifting
1 - Ball
2 - Foot
3 - Core

The ball doesn’t shift, but foot and core need to in order to force a reaction out of the defense. pic.twitter.com/J9QmMMt5eH

— Reid Ouse (@reidouse) April 20, 2025

Basketball - Process Helps to Forge Belief

Learn from the people close to us. Learn from experience. Learn from literature.

Study entrepreneurs to learn from their triumphs and errors. Phil Knight shared his process leading to success in Shoe Dog. My annotations in black:

Phil Knight’s Shoe Dog is packed with leadership lessons drawn from his journey building Nike. Here are some key (AI) takeaways:

1. Start Before You’re Ready

Knight didn’t have a detailed business plan when he started Blue Ribbon Sports (Nike’s precursor). He had an idea—a “Crazy Idea”—and took action before he had everything figured out. Leaders often need to move forward despite uncertainty.

Steve Kerr used his time in basketball broadcasting to pick brains in the industry and prepare for a future job in coaching. When his chance came, he had done the preparation. Starting as a volunteer assistant helps. Watching other coaches run practice has value. 

2. Bet on People, Not Just Ideas

Knight surrounded himself with unconventional but passionate people, like Bill Bowerman and Jeff Johnson. He valued effort, loyalty, and belief in the mission over polished résumés. Great leaders build teams that challenge, not just follow.

Finding and retaining "good people" gives a leader the best chance to succeed. Abraham Lincoln had his Team of Rivals. Geno Auriemma's top lieutenant Chris Dailey has been vital to UCONN's success. 

3. Stay Obsessively Focused on the Mission

Knight and his early team weren’t just selling shoes—they were obsessed with making athletes better. That mission gave them an edge over competitors who were just selling products. A strong, mission-driven culture attracts the right people and keeps a company resilient.

Simon Sinek asks "what your WHY?" Phil Jackson's "basketball is sharing" informs many coaches reason to be. Michelin 3-star chef Thomas Keller says, "cooks cook to nurture." 

4. Embrace the Struggle

Nike’s early years were chaotic—cash flow issues, legal battles, supply problems. Knight never let setbacks define him. Instead, he adapted and pushed forward. Leadership is about enduring hardship without losing vision.

Sara Blakely founded Spanx, a five billion dollar company, without raising a nickel. She went from copier salesperson to billionaire by obsessing the product. As a child, she heard her father's question every weekend, "what have you failed at this week?" 

5. Take Smart Risks

From breaking ties with their Japanese supplier to launching their own brand, Nike’s growth came from calculated risks. Leaders must take bold steps, even when the outcome isn’t guaranteed.

You hear stories all the time about assistant coaches uprooting families to work with highly-regarded coaches. Overnight success is a myth not a strategy. 

6. Trust Your Gut but Keep Learning

Knight made decisions based on intuition but also sought advice from mentors and experts. He balanced instinct with continuous learning, a key trait of great leaders.

Most of us can't directly pick the brains of elite coaches. But we can watch coaching clinics and interviews online, read books and blogs, and watch online video. Writing teaches the writer as much or more than readers.  

7. Brand Matters More Than Product

Nike wasn’t just about shoes; it became a symbol of excellence and perseverance. Knight understood that an emotional connection with customers is more powerful than any product feature.

Make your brand meaningful. My brand is sharing. 

8. Never Stop Competing

Knight’s competitive drive kept Nike pushing boundaries. He never felt like they had "made it"—he always saw room for improvement. Leaders who maintain a challenger mindset stay ahead.

Invest in making our work its best. Dave Smart emphasizes the role of internal competition in developing players. If we improve our product incrementally, eventually the marginal gains add up. Be better today than we were yesterday. 

9. Legacy Over Profits

Near the end of the book, Knight reflects on his journey, emphasizing that impact matters more than wealth. Great leaders focus on creating something meaningful, not just making money.

An occasional note from a young coach or player manifests gratitude. Personal and professional satisfaction matter. 

Lagniappe. Pistons free up a roller for a finish. 

Detroit with One of their Favorite Sets of the Season! pic.twitter.com/p6ONiMPTh6

— Sean Billerman (@sbill30) April 22, 2025

Lagniappe 2.  Finish off two feet. 

Two foot finishing series! ⬇️

•Floater
•Two Foot - Step Thru
•”Kobe” pivot
•Step Thru - Pivot Away

5x each pic.twitter.com/myINEC0imY

— Anthony Pugh (@Anthony_Pugh2) April 22, 2025

Lagniappe 3. Take ownership of the work. 

Pete Carroll said, "The thing about grit is real."

"It's about competing, pushing yourself, striving to be your best, and what's really exciting is nobody controls this, but you."

Grit isn't about talent or luck.

It's about choosing to endure. It's taking ownership. pic.twitter.com/4X2JALL0q0

— Coach AJ 🎯 Mental Fitness (@coachajkings) April 18, 2025

"Surround Yourself with Good People"

Listen to this one minute share from Coach Krzyzewski regularly. It overflows with coaching and life wisdom.

The highlight is "surround yourself with good people. Learn how to listen."

Information stands on merit, not solely source-dependent. Be selective, picking and choosing to build our palette. It's not about copying but designing an authentic philosophy and program that works for our players and us. 

Finding resources and mentors distinguishes many highly successful people. In his MasterClass, Usher discusses studying your mentor's mentor. My mentors metaphorical mentors were Wooden and Dean Smith. 

Don't expect one mentor to fulfill all your needs. Study across a spectrum of coaches and sports. Here are just a few examples, not all-inclusive.  

Historical. "Make friends with the dead." Don Meyer, Newell, Dean Smith, Wooden

Player development - Drew Hanlen, Chris Brickley, Don Kelbick, Pitino, Jay Wright

Team development - Jim Crutchfield, Dave Smart, Krzyzewski, Knight, Pat Summitt, Geno Auriemma, Dawn Staley

Psychology - Every coach sells... Chuck Daly, Gregg Popovich, Erik Spoelstra

Find assistants with whom you collaborate well. Support assistants, listen, and respectfully consider their opinions. 

 

Draw on resources such as Yahoo, FIBA, AI (e.g. ChatGPT)

Jim Crutchfield, head coach at Nova Southeastern University, is one of the best examples of a lesser-known coach whose teams reflect a philosophy of unappreciated excellence. His program is a masterclass in pushing pace, emphasizing player freedom, and creating high-efficiency systems without relying on high-profile recruits. Let’s unpack a few of the core tenets that define his coaching approach:

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1. Relentless Pace & Offensive Freedom

Crutchfield's teams are famous for their tempo—often among the fastest in the country, regardless of division. But this isn’t just about running fast. It’s a philosophy rooted in:

• Trusting players: He empowers his athletes to make decisions in the open floor, encouraging early offense and attacking advantages before the defense is set.

• Spacing and tempo over set plays: Instead of rigid play-calling, his offense thrives on spacing, movement, and quick reads—fostering autonomy and confidence.

• Conditioning as a weapon: His players are trained to thrive in chaos, pushing opponents out of their comfort zones through sheer pace and persistent attack.

This creates a kind of organized mayhem where freedom and flow beat structure and scouting.

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2. Pressure Defense with Purpose

Crutchfield’s defenses extend full-court and trap selectively—not to gamble recklessly, but to disrupt rhythm and steal possessions. Key ideas include:

• Controlled chaos: His teams press to wear opponents down mentally and physically, not just to generate turnovers.

• Turn defense into offense: His system thrives when defense becomes a launchpad for transition—further feeding the uptempo attack.

It’s not unlike what Shaka Smart did at VCU or what Loyola Marymount ran under Paul Westhead, but with more discipline and fewer gimmicks.

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3. Skill Development over System Conformity

Crutchfield isn’t trying to fit players into a mold—he molds the system around players' talents.

• Underdog empowerment: His track record includes turning overlooked or undersized athletes into all-conference stars. He prizes IQ, skill, and motor over measurables.

• Simplify to amplify: The playbook is minimal by design, letting players master concepts and play fast without overthinking.

This approach builds confidence and keeps players engaged—an underappreciated but essential aspect of sustaining excellence at the Division II level.

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4. Joy and Culture

There’s a joyfulness in how Crutchfield’s teams play. It’s visible. His players look like they’re having fun—which is a cultural marker, not an accident.

• Freedom breeds joy: When players feel trusted and capable, they perform better.

• Winning is fun: And Crutchfield’s win percentage is absurd (among the highest in NCAA history, across divisions).

His teams don’t just win—they enjoy the process, and that enjoyment feeds their energy and cohesion.

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In Summary

Jim Crutchfield’s philosophy is built on pace, pressure, player trust, and joyful intensity. He shows that excellence doesn’t have to look like a blueblood program to be elite. His work at West Liberty and Nova Southeastern demonstrates that you don’t need top recruits to play beautiful, winning basketball—just a clear vision, empowered athletes, and the courage to defy convention.

Want a fun metaphor? His style is like if Brad Stevens and Mike D’Antoni started a band—with Gregg Popovich producing in the background.

Coaching is evolution, addition and subtraction. Subtracting is often harder. Fewer drills, fewer sets, fewer platitudes may work better. 

The most important relationship is with our significant other who has to share us with others who can never give as much as our partner. 

Lagniappe. WWSD... what would Steph do? 

Steph Curry’s Full Pregame Warmup 🤯 pic.twitter.com/H7IeFr9t4Z

— Jaycob Ammerman (@Jammer2233) September 5, 2023

Lagniappe 2. Sacrifice and more... 

QOTD: pic.twitter.com/dJYsLdKbV7

— Allistair McCaw (@AllistairMcCaw) April 19, 2025

Lagniappe 3. Belichick thread. Do your job. Work hard. Details. Team first. 

Bill Belichick was asked:
"What are your main principles for success?"

He gave 4 rules. Simple. Clear.

These principles work in football, business, and life.

Here's what he said and why it matters:🧵 pic.twitter.com/ngpDbmEAwT

— Coach AJ 🎯 Mental Fitness (@coachajkings) April 19, 2025

Playoff Basketball Illustrates Core Principles

Playoff basketball elevates intensity, physicality, and toughness. Examine key plays or sequences that win games and reinforce core concepts. Here are a handful from the first round of the Magic/Celtics. 

Young players and less experienced coaches benefit from watching video to assist building basketball IQ and player development. Find something to share with players. 

It's a shoulders game. Wagner gets the position and burns Brown on the drive. 

Get paint touches and ball reversals. Brown attacks the paint and finds an open corner three for White. 

"Spacing is offense and offense is spacing." Hauser drives baseline and the 45 cut for Kornet isn't open. But Pritchard lifts to restore the spacing and gets rewarded. 

The ball has energy. Within seven seconds, starting on defense, all five Celtics touch the ball and Pritchard drains another three. 

"...a game of separation." Pritchard gets separation and finishes with a combination of handles and footwork. 

Draw 2 and kick. Pritchard penetrates and help comes. This opens huge space for a White corner three. 

Miscommunication on defense creates easy shot. The Celtics get caught in a failed switch and Isaac gets an easy two. 

Maintain the dribble and a play may declare itself. Holiday surveys the floor and buries a three. 

"I'm a salesman." Sell players that defense starts with ball pressure. Holiday forces a turnover and converts the ensuing basket. 

A shot fake is "a shot not taken." Brown acts the 'second mouse' and leaves something of Wagner's on the floor. 

Lagniappe. Stop wasting time on what we cannot control. 

Marcus Freeman said, "You waste time daydreaming about an uncertain future. Who cares?"

"The future is uncertain. So focus on being the best version of you today."

No one wins tomorrow.
They win today - one rep, one habit at a time.

(@tbhorka)pic.twitter.com/5iCBTGWbn5

— Coach AJ 🎯 Mental Fitness (@coachajkings) April 19, 2025

Lagniappe 2. Coach Dags with important principles about player development, personnel structure, and the need to "manipulate spacing." 

SHARED PRINCIPLES

College basketball teams have more roster turnover than ever. The luxury of playing with teammates for 3-4 years is gone. I think the next big step in Player Development at the college level is learning how to use Player Development to expedite shared… pic.twitter.com/LwlbtqSaej

— Steve Dagostino (@DagsBasketball) April 19, 2025

Lagniappe 3. Adjust the spots to your level. The drill demands skill and consistency and incorporates pressure.  

MONEY BALL SHOOTING

5 spot drill, 5 shots per spot

Shots 1-4 are worth 1 point per make
Shot 5 is worth 3 points

First to 25 wins

— Hoops Companion 🏀 Resources for Coaches (@Hoops_Companion) April 18, 2025