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Thursday, October 16, 2025

Basketball - "Have a Clear Philosophy"

"Have a clear philosophy." What does that mean?

Basketball philosophy is our blueprint for program formation. The word "philosophy" originates from the Greek, combining the words "philo" meaning "love" and "sophia" meaning "wisdom."

Philosophy establishes our direction, like a road map. Years ago a parent asked a new coach the team's philosophy, and the coach said, "I don't have one." The season went downhill from there.

Quotes reflect our philosophy but don't define it. 

  • "Sacrifice." Coach Ellis Lane expressed teamwork as sacrifice. 
  • "Basketball is sharing." Phil Jackson said it another way. 
  • "Team first" is how John Calipari staked out his territory. 
  • "The game honors toughness." Brad Stevens and others recognized the role of physical and mental strength. 
  • "Two is one and one is none," shares the doctrine of Navy SEALs.
Pete Carroll's emphasizes having a clear philosophy in his book "Win Forever." There's no one way to coach.

Coach John Wooden developed his "Pyramid of Success" as a model for philosophy and culture. Wooden informed "success as peace of mind attained through self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to do the best of which you're capable." 

Vince Lombardi's model was simpler, "Winning isn't everything. Winning is the only thing." 

I favored "TIA" - teamwork, improvement, and accountability. 
  • Teamwork - prioritize what is good for the team. 
  • Improvement - "Seek daily improvement." 
  • Accountability - "Hold ourselves to high standards in all areas.”
Your philosophy helps create a reference point and anchor for everyone in your system. Keep it simple, credible, and clear. 

Lagniappe. Bring energy and energize. 
Lagniappe 2. Brad Stevens told my wife, a rocket scientist, "basketball is not rocket science." 

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