Rest easy, Adam Silver. Nassim Taleb’s “Silver Rule” belongs in the game: Do not do unto others as you would not have them do unto you.
Applications on the court:
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Physicality, not assault. Basketball isn’t gentle. But moving screens with flying elbows or “gorilla basketball” designed to injure? That crosses the line. If that's your ethos, switch to football. When four middle school girls get knocked out with injury, that's no accident.
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Sportsmanship starts with coaches. Down 15 with three minutes left? Get kids more minutes, don’t press the bottom of the other team’s roster. Running up the score in middle school basketball teaches the wrong lesson.
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Respect the refs. Some coaches start “working the officials” from the opening tip. I’ve seen one tossed 45 seconds into a game. If nothing has happened yet, why stir trouble?
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It’s not all about “my boy.” A Hall of Fame coach once told me about a parent furious his son didn’t get the final shot in a close game. Another teammate got an open look and missed. That happens. Basketball is a team game.
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Handshake lines should be brief. After an upset win, the opposing coach told me, “We would have won if we made any shots.” We’ve all thought that, but the line isn’t the place to say it. Wins and losses don’t define our worth.
A Good Rule: when it’s better left undone or unsaid, don’t do it—or say it.
Lagniappe. Strive for consistency.
— Jim Shapiro (@jimshapiro) September 10, 2025
Lagniappe 2. I coached with an excellent coach, Ralph Labella who argued that commitment was most critical for achievement.
Bill Belichick said, "It's not all about talent. It's about dependability, consistency, and being able to improve. If you work hard and you're coachable, and you understand what you need to do, you can improve."
— Coach AJ 🎯 Mental Fitness (@coachajkings) August 29, 2025
Great teams have greater commitment.
They strive for excellence. pic.twitter.com/j4Q1NVKQ6y
