The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team – Phil Jackson   Phil Jackson won 11 championships by building teams where individual excellence and collective strength reinforced each other. “The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team,”...Read More

You have a choice to make when you’re not playing. Either you’re invested and a great teammate, or you’re not – Brad Stevens   Brad Stevens built championship teams by demanding that every player contribute, even from the bench. “You have a choice to make when you’re not playing. Either you’re invested and a great...Read More

A winner is someone who recognizes his God-given talents, works his tail off to develop them into skills, and uses these skills to accomplish his goals – Larry Bird   Larry Bird wasn’t the fastest, highest-jumping, or most athletic player, but he became one of basketball’s greatest winners by maximizing what he had. “A winner...Read More

Once you’ve done the mental work, there comes a point where you have to throw yourself into the action and put your heart on the line  — Phil Jackson   Phil Jackson understood that mental preparation means nothing without physical execution. “Once you’ve done the mental work, there comes a point where you have to...Read More

I don’t put pressure on them about their shooting. I put pressure on them on how hard they play, how hard they run, how much effort they give, how much passion they play with. Those are my stats  – Tom Izzo   Tom Izzo built Michigan State into a powerhouse by measuring what truly matters....Read More

Poise and confidence are not possible unless you have prepared correctly. Failing to prepare is preparing to fail. Poise and confidence are a natural result of proper preparation – John Wooden   John Wooden built dynasties on a simple truth: preparation breeds confidence, and film study is the ultimate preparation tool. “Poise and confidence are...Read More

No one plays this or any game perfectly. It’s the guy who recovers from his mistakes who wins – Phil Jackson   Phil Jackson, the most successful coach in NBA history, knew that perfection isn’t possible—but recovery is. “No one plays this or any game perfectly. It’s the guy who recovers from his mistakes who...Read More

If you’re not making mistakes, then you’re not doing anything. I’m positive that a doer makes mistakes – John Wooden   John Wooden, the greatest coach in basketball history, understood that pressure situations reveal character and create growth. “If you’re not making mistakes, then you’re not doing anything. I’m positive that a doer makes mistakes,”...Read More

Basketball is a beautiful game when the five players on the court play with one heartbeat  –Dean Smith   Dean Smith understood that basketball transcends individual talent when players move as one organism. “Basketball is a beautiful game when the five players on the court play with one heartbeat,” Smith declared, and this unity is...Read More

Concentration and mental toughness are the margins of victory – Bill Russell   Bill Russell understood that championships are won in the details others overlook. “Concentration and mental toughness are the margins of victory,” he declared, and nowhere is this more evident than in passing and vision. Great passers don’t just see what’s obvious—they concentrate...Read More