In medicine, "A Great Case" is similar to Ahab's white whale in Moby Dick, a compelling obsession. Decades ago, a Georgetown physician asked us, "What is the definition of a great case? The patient must be sick as hell, nobody knows what is going on, and most important, it's someone else's patient."
In basketball, the parallel is clear. The team is struggling. No one knows for sure what’s wrong. And — if we’re honest — it’s someone else’s team. Your job is to solve the problem, to cut the Gordian Knot.
Building or Rebuilding a Program
Every program needs diagnosis before prescription. Great coaches are part clinician, part craftsman, part psychologist. The art is knowing what to fix first — and what to leave alone.
Early signs of recovery include:
- Getting the team on the right track
- Trending in the right direction
- "Championship vision" even if not immediately
- Connecting with players
- Adding value via player development
Not every challenge is about talent or tactics. Sometimes the “pathology” is systemic. Common causes include:
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Competing attractions: A community’s best athletes are pulled toward other sports — hockey, track, gymnastics, swimming, wrestling.
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Demographics: Small schools fighting larger rivals.
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Culture: An entrenched tradition of mediocrity or resignation.
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Pipeline: No effective feeder or youth development system.
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Resources: Limited facilities, funding, or staffing.
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Politics: Toxicity within the program or from outside influencers.
Brad Stevens was asked, “What’s the one thing you look for when hiring a coach or drafting a player?”
— Coach AJ 🎯 Mental Fitness (@coachajkings) October 21, 2025
His answer wasn’t talent.
It wasn’t hard work.
It was just two words - and every great team should build around them. pic.twitter.com/3mVwSskDMD
