Pete Newell said that a coach's most important job was teaching players to "see the game." Coach Joe Mazzulla, like all high level coaches, sees the game through a different lens.
Exceptional players and coaches separate themselves through translation of game understanding into execution.
Watch the video or extract the lessons to share with players:
1. Defensive rebounding equals "possession ending"
2. Giving the game what it needs
3. "Toughness and physicality"
4. "Professionalism to stay ready"
5. Quin Snyder is an amazing coach - "going to figure out matchups"
6. "Defend without fouling"
7. More discipline needed on defense to limit fouling
8. "Shot variance" a big determinant of 3-point percentage
9. "Generate good shots"
10.Physicality to defend the three - fighting through and communicating screens
11."Everyone (on the bench) has impacted games"
12.As a player, "keep that level of trust"
13.Offensive rebounding maintains/extends possession
14."3 for 2" possessions come from understanding
15.Importance of "situational awareness"
16.Fighting for extra possessions
17.Rationale for using early timeouts "set the tone...or perspective"
18.Understand how connected offense creates defensive connection
Consider how each of these applies to "our level" of coaching or teaching. So often we hear how "great" a player is when video or watching the game shows questionable shot selection, toughness, or situational awareness lacking. Film review holds "feet to the fire."
Lagniappe. Steve Kerr emphasized mindset, mentors, and culture in his role as GSW coach. Hugo Gonzales (NBA pick 28) has performed at a higher level (based upon net rating) with game understanding, development support, and a high motor.
Lagniappe 2. Situational awareness follows situational coaching. I recall watching a game (years ago) where a team up eight with 55 seconds (and a full shot clock) inbounded the ball and a senior guard immediately jacked up a (missed) three instead of using clock. Teams get what they accept. I'm not saying that the coach should "ream the player out in front of the team" but it can't happen ever again.
Payton Pritchard on where his awareness on these shots comes from:
— Justin Turpin (@JustinmTurpin) March 28, 2026
“I really don’t know… My high school coach, we used to do situations all the time of like end the game, and we would run through like, 8 to 10 situations every day of practice. And I just got really good at… https://t.co/J1VUwurRmp pic.twitter.com/VE1iufEY7u
