Pete Newell said a coach's biggest responsibility was helping players "see the game."
The Mike Conley quote about Joe Mazzulla emphasizes that even a nineteen-year NBA veteran can learn to see the game differently.
Think about major changes in the game in your lifetime. For example:
- Improvements in training methodology
- Developments in analytics
- Progressive emphasis on three-point shooting
- Explosion in online basketball education
- Rules changes that reduced "clutch and grab"
- Growth in skill
- "Positionless basketball"
- Evolution of players (e.g. Wembanyama)
- Growth of women's basketball
- Expansion of shot clock at lower levels
- Appreciation of international basketball
- NIL and Transfer Portal
Coaches have a vast array of philosophies and approaches. There's no "best" or "right" way.
We learn to "see" the game by studying players and coaches, by breaking down how teams create and prevent opportunity, through reading, video study, and apprenticeship with other coaches.
There's a figurative "arms race" in young player development with two major schools - the US "more games" approach and the European "more practice" school. That doesn't address the gradual private equity hostile takeover of youth sports which prices out more players.
As a former middle school girls coach, I sawthe battle rage in two areas - getting more practice time and waning interest in free player development sessions (outdoor courts, offseason).
It's my belief that for twelve and unders, the most important avenue is athletic development. Playing more sports, learning acceleration/deceleration, change of direction, and body control creates a better foundation for later specialization if a player so chooses. I'll call that the "Federer Path."
For some disciplines like golf, chess, or music, intense study from a younger age is a viable alternative. That's the "Tiger Path."
Where's the Future?
Who can know? Some possibilities include:
- Even more international development (Asia, Africa)
- More emphasis on defensive training and strategies to combat offensive excellence
- Further corruption and intersection of sport and politics
- Eventual pushback against developmental charges ($)
- International professional leagues (combinations of NBA and Europe League)
- Growth of 3 on 3 play
- Artificial intelligence integration (real-time) in games
The game has always evolved. Let's hope it's for more participation, more access, and more quality.
Lagniappe. Coach Berge argues for competitive arrogance. That's fine but tempered by sportsmanship...
The great ones all share one thing: Competitive Arrogance.
— Greg Berge (@GregBerge) September 12, 2026
Not cockiness, but confidence earned. pic.twitter.com/xR8eETYF8G
