Sport is a microcosm of society. In the movie Wall Street, fictional character Gordon Gekko proclaims "Greed is good." There's another Wall Street saying, "It takes courage to be a pig."
How does that impact our philosophy and ethical view about basketball?
This screenshot of a 'travel basketball' pricing poster shows how Gordon Gekko moved from the boardroom to the basketball court.
This extends concepts discussed by Philip Delves Broughton in "What They Teach You at Harvard Business School." Learn and apply lessons from HBS, an insular complex 'across the river' from Harvard College...with an assist from ChatGPT (in blue).
1. Confidence Is Currency
Broughton repeatedly emphasizes how confidence—projected and internalized—is a key to success, often more than technical knowledge. HBS encourages students to speak up, defend their ideas, and own the room. This prepares them not just to analyze, but to lead.
Lesson: Being confident and decisive, even under uncertainty, often matters more than being perfectly correct.
You can only be as good as you believe you are. In a MasterClass about the CIA, a senior leader rhetorically asked a younger woman presenter "are you the expert in the room on this subject?" He then adds, "then act like it."
2. The Case Method Teaches Framing and Persuasion
Instead of traditional lectures, HBS uses the case method, requiring students to analyze real-world business problems and defend their solutions. The goal isn't a right answer—it’s learning how to frame arguments, listen strategically, and persuade others.
Lesson: Business is often about shaping perception and making decisions with incomplete information.
The OKC Thunder present a case study argument for going 'all in' on tanking and accumulating draft choices. (some assist from AI)
| Player | How Acquired | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Trade (2019) | Via LAC - Paul George trade (plus picks). |
| Chet Holmgren | Draft (2022, 1st Rd #2) | Selected 2nd overall (2022 NBA Draft). |
| Jalen Williams | Draft (2022, 1st Rd #12) | Selected 12th overall (2022 NBA Draft). |
| Josh Giddey | Draft (2021, 1st Rd #6) | Selected 6th overall (2021 NBA Draft). Traded for Alex Caruso |
| Luguentz Dort | Undrafted FA (2019) | Undrafted free agent (two-way, later converted). |
| Cason Wallace | Draft (2023, 1st Rd #10) | Selected 10th overall (2023 NBA Draft). |
| Jaylin Williams | Draft (2022, 2nd Rd #34) | Selected 34th overall (2022 NBA Draft). |
| Isaiah Hartenstein | Free agent (2024) | |
| Aaron Wiggins | Draft (2021, 2nd Rd #55) | Selected 55th overall (2021 NBA Draft). |
| Ousmane Dieng | Draft (2022, 1st Rd #11) | Selected 11th overall (2022 NBA Draft). |
Key Takeaways:
Draft-Centric Approach – OKC has built primarily through the draft, leveraging high picks (Holmgren) and later steals (Jalen Williams, Dort).
Strategic Trades – SGA was acquired in the blockbuster Paul George deal, proving pivotal. Caruso trade for Giddey added a key defensive piece and team player
Development Focus – Found gems like Dort (undrafted) and Joe (waivers), showcasing strong scouting.
Free agency - Added key rim protector/rebounder Isaiah Hartenstein
3. Leadership Is a Narrative
Broughton explores how students learn that effective leadership involves crafting and owning a compelling story, whether about a product, company, or personal brand. Those who can tell a clear, bold story tend to lead others—even if the underlying reality is still forming.
Lesson: People follow leaders who offer coherent vision and purpose, even amid ambiguity.
Executive Sam Presti had a clear mission in constructing a team around star players, size, and elite defense
4. Network Is Power
The HBS network is one of its most powerful assets. Relationships formed at school—through dorms, sections, and social events—often prove as valuable as classroom learning. Access, not just ability, shapes many careers.
Lesson: Who you know (and how you cultivate those relationships) can shape your opportunities as much as what you know.
Do whatever we can to help grow our players' skill, game understanding, resilience, and if possible, academic progress. Help them by networking with other coaches and other coaches at other levels.
5. Business School Can Be an Ethical Gray Zone
Broughton wrestles with the moral ambiguity he observes. The mantra isn’t quite “Greed is good,” but there's an undercurrent of pragmatism over idealism, with success often defined by financial return. Broughton leaves HBS ambivalent—impressed by the talent, but wary of the values.
Each of us decides how we conduct our business. Players see everything and if we 'color outside the lines' they may accept blurring or removing ethical boundaries. Coaches have a responsibility to teach sportsmanship.Lesson: Business school trains people to win—but doesn’t always ask whether the game is worth winning.
“When you decide you want to win at something, you don’t get to pick the environment. You don’t get to pick the circumstances. The only thing you get to pick is how you respond” - Joe Mazzulla
— Hoop Herald (@TheHoopHerald) May 14, 2025
(Via @thewinningdiff1 🎥)
pic.twitter.com/1ymT5rb9m1
Lagniappe 2. A good video for players to study an undervalued skill, cutting.
"Cutting opens space... it creates vacuums"
— Taylor Tucker (@tucker_thorson) May 15, 2025
-Kenny Atkinson
Examples⬇️
1) Slice cut
2) Exchange
3) Shallow
4) Wheel
5) Over cut
6) BL Runner
7) Burn cut
8) Nail cut
9) Away cut
10) Zone Up pic.twitter.com/h7fFaHsqPp