Raising Basketball Performance with OKRs

Structure helps outcomes. Better process, better outcomes. In Measure What Matters, John Doerr explains OKRs (objectives and key results) and how they transformed organizations both well-known (Intel, Google) and less-known (Nuna, MyFitnessPal).

OKRs provide transparency in setting and achieving goals, with the KRs (key results) measurable, trackable, and ideally scalable.

Recognize that less is more. Attacking problems with a hundred battle fronts fails. There's no way to plan, monitor, and fix each one because the approach is too diffuse.

Imagine you have the worst offense in the league and it's obvious from film review that two issues dominate, shot selection and turnovers. 

Each OKR has a target and 'measurable' key results

Our first objective listed is "Shoot better." The criteria are flawed because the first key result "shot selection" is semi-quantitative. Passing matters, recalling Pete Carril's quote, "the quality of the shot relates to the quality of the pass." Shooting percentage will depend on shot selection, better passing, and skill. Prioritizing passing also emphasizes the impact of teamwork. 

Every turnover is a zero percent possession, a shot nullified. 

Be granular (detailed) so that players can understand and comment, sharing their input.

In a business, quarterly and annual reviews measure impact. For a basketball season, more frequent measurement (e.g. monthly) makes more sense. 

As an assistant years ago, I tracked stats and told the middle school girls that we'd report team shooting percentage and turnovers. Tracking improved shooting percent by twenty percent and reduced turnovers by an even higher percentage. Players felt more accountable for shots and ball security. 

OKRs give teams a proven and measurable way to impact results. 

Lagniappe. Players don't want to let down excellent coaches.  

Here's how it works:
1. The love and care builds trust.
2. The high standards builds respect.

Jackson and Popovich didn't rule through intimidation.

They earned the right to demand excellence because they genuinely cared.

Relationships must come before standards. pic.twitter.com/DweJa6cLXP

— Coach AJ 🎯 Mental Fitness (@coachajkings) August 24, 2025

Lagniappe 2. Pascal Meurs shares a drill for finishing at the rim.