In "The Art of Winning" Bill Belichick explains a management process for evaluating players. He emphasizes the importance of everyone having the same framework and capability for evaluating players.
Character. He understood not to expect "choir boys." In Gridiron Genius, Mike Lombardi wrote, "Moss was a “program guy”: someone who works hard, is a supportive teammate, and cares deeply about winning. In other words, someone with football character."
Coaches know that "the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior."
Athletic Ability. Great players craft great coaches. Ability is necessary but not sufficient. Belichick knew that coaching wasn't enough. Reliability, coachability, and durability stand as additional important traits.
Strength and Explosiveness. Players have to be able deliver and withstand athletes "playing with force." Raw strength as measured by weight training parameters is not identical to playing strength.
Competitiveness. Belichick notes that players like Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes impact the game through both their ability and competitive natures. We all have coached players whose competitive fury allowed them to outperform other skilled players with less determination. Somewhere I read that John Stockton won every sprint at the Utah Jazz practices. Whether it was speed, will, or both we'll never know.
Toughness. Toughness is a skill. Players like Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, or Steph Curry had mental toughness which becomes a force multiplier. Players can impact their team directly and indirectly, inspiring others to raise their play. Tyrese Halliburton and Jalen Brunson have done that in the NBA playoffs.
Learning. Superior players study the game. There's a story from 2000 where a Patriots executive was leaving and asked why lights were still on in the training complex. A custodian explained there was 'some guy watching video...a rookie, Tom Brady." Coaches create and promote a learning culture.
Identifying players with these characteristics is a profound and worthy challenge.
Lagniappe. Players learn to play at different speeds.
SLOW DOWN IN BALL SCREEN
— Steve Dagostino (@DagsBasketball) May 8, 2025
Adding in a hesitation dribble in to your ball screen attack or setup allows the BallHandler to slow down, scan the floor, and attack their decision with aggressiveness and pace.
The quality and quickness of the read and execution will determine if the… pic.twitter.com/a2WjnTMQ1D
Lagniappe 2. Coach Steed proposes a hierarchy of edges. He doesn't include home court, which can be powerful.
Hierarchy of ADVANTAGES 📝
— Chris Steed (@steeder10) April 5, 2025
1. Time and score (up 10 45 seconds left)
2. Numbers (2 on 1)
3. Space (open corner 3)
4. Size/Speed (1-5 switch)
5. Neutral (chest to chest)
6. Negative (2 on the ball)
This is the definition of ‘high basketball IQ’. It’s absolutely…
