“It’s not really just as much as it's what I'm asking you to do, it's what the environment is asking you to do,” Mazzulla continued. “It’s what the game is asking you to do in the game today … and if and when that changes because of how the game is going, how quickly can you adjust to that? - John Karalis at BSJ
Can you handle the truth about winning? If we're not winning, what can we do differently. Good players adjust to different systems and make “winning plays.”
1. It’s first about the talent. You need good players on an upward trajectory and "every day is player development day."
2. Teamwork means global unselfishness. Wooden said, "Happiness begins where selfishness ends."
3. Synchrony mean being on the same page. An unselfish team can struggle by not being on the same page.
4. Leadership must arise from players in addition to coaches. Players have to be able to mentor each other and learn to appreciate the success of teammates.
5. Excellent coaches add value, get buy-in, and excel in connection and communication. If parents are always calling for every coach's head, then maybe it's not the coach.
6. Culture includes everything in the ecosystem - positivity, individual and team development, system development, playing time, roles of assistant coaches, relationships from top down and bottom up.
7. Health matters. Sometimes illness or injury sinks the talent.
8. Luck - the ball bounces the right way, a call goes our way. You can’t control everything and sometimes it goes against you.
9. Limiting mistakes (good teams find ways to win; bad teams find ways to give games away). Good teams make better decisions.
10. “Semantics” a.k.a. some antics. Avoid off court character failures - academics, substance abuse, relationship problems.
