The combination of playing on the U.S. Olympic team and maturity have helped change Chris Bosh for the better.
According to the Toronto Raptors head coach Sam Mitchell:
"His practices are unbelievable, unbelievable. In the past, Chris would come in and do just enough. Now, everything, every possession, every play is 100 percent all out.
I used to tell him all the time, the difference between Kevin Garnett and 97 percent of the league is Kevin played like he practiced. And Chris is getting it, I think the light came on. I can't remember one play that he's taken off in the pre-season, not one. Not one time when he was supposed to run and get to a spot has he not done it. I think he's realizing just how good he really is and how much better he can become.
Says Bosh:
"I've grown mentally as a player over this past summer and everything. Being in that Olympic environment broadened my perspective a little bit, and I started thinking more. That's what we've been talking about a lot in the past, he (Mitchell) is always telling me how I need to be a better practice player, make sure I push the guys and push myself to get better in practice. I really took that to heart and I'm really taking advantage of each day."
11.24.2008
LEBRON JAMES
Several good quotes from and about LeBron James
Cavs head coach Mike Brown:
"If I'm putting LeBron up on the film session or if I'm getting on LeBron about not doing this or not doing that, his teammates see how he takes it in stride, how he accepts it and how he tries to get better from it. He sets the example of how to handle being coached and criticized.
Teammate Zydrunas Ilgauskas:
"A lot of times, people see him step on the court and do the things that he does and go, 'Wow.' What they don't see is 99% of the work that goes in before the game, the hours and hours in film session he spends, the hours in the weight room, the hours he spends shooting before practice, the hours shooting after practice."
Teammate Daniel Gibson:
"He always wants to be first. He hates to lose no matter what we're doing. He wants to win at everything. He might be the most competitive person I have ever been around."
James on his willingness to learn:
"I don't know everything. Coach Mike Brown has been in this game for a long time. We've got assistants who've been around long before I was born or ever thought about basketball. I still have a lot to learn about this game."
Cavs head coach Mike Brown:
"If I'm putting LeBron up on the film session or if I'm getting on LeBron about not doing this or not doing that, his teammates see how he takes it in stride, how he accepts it and how he tries to get better from it. He sets the example of how to handle being coached and criticized.
Teammate Zydrunas Ilgauskas:
"A lot of times, people see him step on the court and do the things that he does and go, 'Wow.' What they don't see is 99% of the work that goes in before the game, the hours and hours in film session he spends, the hours in the weight room, the hours he spends shooting before practice, the hours shooting after practice."
Teammate Daniel Gibson:
"He always wants to be first. He hates to lose no matter what we're doing. He wants to win at everything. He might be the most competitive person I have ever been around."
James on his willingness to learn:
"I don't know everything. Coach Mike Brown has been in this game for a long time. We've got assistants who've been around long before I was born or ever thought about basketball. I still have a lot to learn about this game."
ACCOUNTABILITY
Accountability: A willingness to accept responsibility for one’s action.
Accountability and responsibility are two important qualities for a credible leader to possess. A leader is a person who is believable, dependable, and worthy of people's trust and confidence.
Ray Allen credited a culture of accountability for helping the Celtics win the NBA title in June, saying:
"We held each other accountable to get on the floor every time there was a loose ball, to help in rotation when somebody was beat. We didn't expect any less from Paul Pierce, they didn't expect less out of me. If Kevin Garnett was out of position we let him know, and everybody followed suit. It was that accountability all year long that helped us win the championship."
Accepting responsibility earns you respect. We can't be perfect all the time and we all make mistakes. When we accept responsibility we are accepting the blame for our actions and also accepting the responsibility for making improvements.
Accepting responsibility is a measure of one's self-worth, their level of security, and the true sign of strength and courage. It will empower you to grow in ways that would bring you great rewards and accomplishments in your life.
Who would you have greater respect for, a person who takes responsibility for his actions, owns up to it and promises to do better in the future, or someone who perpetually denies any involvement in situations when it's obvious they may be responsible?
Accepting responsibility is being accountable.
Accountability and responsibility are two important qualities for a credible leader to possess. A leader is a person who is believable, dependable, and worthy of people's trust and confidence.
Ray Allen credited a culture of accountability for helping the Celtics win the NBA title in June, saying:
"We held each other accountable to get on the floor every time there was a loose ball, to help in rotation when somebody was beat. We didn't expect any less from Paul Pierce, they didn't expect less out of me. If Kevin Garnett was out of position we let him know, and everybody followed suit. It was that accountability all year long that helped us win the championship."
Accepting responsibility earns you respect. We can't be perfect all the time and we all make mistakes. When we accept responsibility we are accepting the blame for our actions and also accepting the responsibility for making improvements.
Accepting responsibility is a measure of one's self-worth, their level of security, and the true sign of strength and courage. It will empower you to grow in ways that would bring you great rewards and accomplishments in your life.
Who would you have greater respect for, a person who takes responsibility for his actions, owns up to it and promises to do better in the future, or someone who perpetually denies any involvement in situations when it's obvious they may be responsible?
Accepting responsibility is being accountable.
ENTITLEMENT vs INVESTMENT
ENTITLEMENT: Belief that one is deserving of or entitled to certain things.
INVESTMENT: The commitment to something with the expectation of some future benefit.
As I travel around the country and workout with the best of the best from the high school, college, and NBA levels, I am continually reminded of what these players have in common that makes them great:
• They WANT to get better
• They are coachable
• They WANT to learn everything they can that will help them become a better player
• They are committed to improvement of their game and bodies
• They are very serious about improving their game every time they step on the floor
• They do everything at a high intensity
The best example I can give you is Kobe Bryant. He once told me that he doesn’t work out any more. . . .he now BLACKS OUT. He said that a workout isn’t enough anymore if he’s going to stay on top of his game and take on all the players he knows are coming after him. He said he has to go beyond what all the other players are doing. He took his workouts to another level.
What Kobe is saying is what all players need to hear and need to know. He is willing to INVEST in his game and not stay the same. He was willing to INVEST in his future. He doesn’t feel ENTITLED to be great, ENTITLED to take every shot, ENTITLED to have everything given to him. Kobe has paid the price and continues to pay the price.
The lesson here is one that I tell every one of the players I work with, “it’s not about entitlement if you want to be the best. It’ about investment.”
Becoming the best is not easy. Entitlement will lead to ultimate failure; investment will lead to future success.
INVESTMENT: The commitment to something with the expectation of some future benefit.
As I travel around the country and workout with the best of the best from the high school, college, and NBA levels, I am continually reminded of what these players have in common that makes them great:
• They WANT to get better
• They are coachable
• They WANT to learn everything they can that will help them become a better player
• They are committed to improvement of their game and bodies
• They are very serious about improving their game every time they step on the floor
• They do everything at a high intensity
The best example I can give you is Kobe Bryant. He once told me that he doesn’t work out any more. . . .he now BLACKS OUT. He said that a workout isn’t enough anymore if he’s going to stay on top of his game and take on all the players he knows are coming after him. He said he has to go beyond what all the other players are doing. He took his workouts to another level.
What Kobe is saying is what all players need to hear and need to know. He is willing to INVEST in his game and not stay the same. He was willing to INVEST in his future. He doesn’t feel ENTITLED to be great, ENTITLED to take every shot, ENTITLED to have everything given to him. Kobe has paid the price and continues to pay the price.
The lesson here is one that I tell every one of the players I work with, “it’s not about entitlement if you want to be the best. It’ about investment.”
Becoming the best is not easy. Entitlement will lead to ultimate failure; investment will lead to future success.
11.22.2008
COACHING & PLAYING
The only reason to do it is if you feel that's the only thing that will satisfy you. It's very difficult, very demanding. And it isn't nearly as much fun as people think it is. It's always interesting and it's always exciting, but the fun comes and goes.
It's hard to find a job in this life that is always interesting and exciting over a 50-year period. In the end, the value of anyone's job probably is determined by relationships that are formed more than the wins and the money. Because the money can come and go.
Phillies pitcher Jamie Moyer, who at 45 became the second-oldest pitcher to start a World Series game, on what he treasures most about his long career:
"What you end up remembering is the human relationships. I mean, you'll get money, you'll spend it, but it ends up being about the people you meet and the games you play and the life experiences you have. That's just how it works."
It's hard to find a job in this life that is always interesting and exciting over a 50-year period. In the end, the value of anyone's job probably is determined by relationships that are formed more than the wins and the money. Because the money can come and go.
Phillies pitcher Jamie Moyer, who at 45 became the second-oldest pitcher to start a World Series game, on what he treasures most about his long career:
"What you end up remembering is the human relationships. I mean, you'll get money, you'll spend it, but it ends up being about the people you meet and the games you play and the life experiences you have. That's just how it works."
GREG POPOVICH - CHARACTER
Popovich speaking on the momentum the Blazers have going:
They're doing what good organizations that want to be successful are doing. A lot of things begin with character. The Portland Trailblazers have gotten a crew of guys in who have that.
They understand priorities ... and care more about the group than individuals. That has to happen. It doesn't matter how much talent you have. If you don't have character, it's not gonna fit together, because all the pieces have to fit.
They're doing what good organizations that want to be successful are doing. A lot of things begin with character. The Portland Trailblazers have gotten a crew of guys in who have that.
They understand priorities ... and care more about the group than individuals. That has to happen. It doesn't matter how much talent you have. If you don't have character, it's not gonna fit together, because all the pieces have to fit.
JEFF FISHER
Coach Fisher has been successful by creating an "environment conducive to winning."
"They know they're permitted to have fun. I want them to look forward to coming to work, even after the toughest losses. A lot of coaches make it harder than it should be. Some are too hard on themselves, obsessing about controlling everything, not trusting their assistants, worrying about time. When you have trust, it gives you a better chance to be successful."
Said one Titans assistant:
"Jeff gets it on so many levels. He is fabulous to coach for. Nobody is tight here. There are no hidden agendas. Everybody enjoys being here. He treats you so well, you want to do well for him. He creates loyalty."
According to his players, Fisher, who "speaks with a soft, understated voice," avoids the highs and lows typically associated with coaching:
"Jeff is very even-keel," said Titans center Kevin Mawae, who has played for six NFL coaches. "There are no peaks and valleys. With Bill Parcells, one day he's up, one day he's down. You didn't want to catch him when he was in the valley. Herm Edwards was always high-strung. Tom Flores was always low-strung. Jeff is in the middle, and guys appreciate that."
Fisher believes distractions are the No. 1 reason teams fail. So he finds ways to minimize them.
"It amazes me how he sees any potential negative as an opportunity," [GM Mike] Reinfeldt says. "He conveys it that way to the team. He believes, so they believe."
"He is prepared, he's calm, he isn't a big risk-taker," Reinfeldt says.
"They know they're permitted to have fun. I want them to look forward to coming to work, even after the toughest losses. A lot of coaches make it harder than it should be. Some are too hard on themselves, obsessing about controlling everything, not trusting their assistants, worrying about time. When you have trust, it gives you a better chance to be successful."
Said one Titans assistant:
"Jeff gets it on so many levels. He is fabulous to coach for. Nobody is tight here. There are no hidden agendas. Everybody enjoys being here. He treats you so well, you want to do well for him. He creates loyalty."
According to his players, Fisher, who "speaks with a soft, understated voice," avoids the highs and lows typically associated with coaching:
"Jeff is very even-keel," said Titans center Kevin Mawae, who has played for six NFL coaches. "There are no peaks and valleys. With Bill Parcells, one day he's up, one day he's down. You didn't want to catch him when he was in the valley. Herm Edwards was always high-strung. Tom Flores was always low-strung. Jeff is in the middle, and guys appreciate that."
Fisher believes distractions are the No. 1 reason teams fail. So he finds ways to minimize them.
"It amazes me how he sees any potential negative as an opportunity," [GM Mike] Reinfeldt says. "He conveys it that way to the team. He believes, so they believe."
"He is prepared, he's calm, he isn't a big risk-taker," Reinfeldt says.
JORDAN FARMAR – BEING PATIENT
An article in the paper this week provides some insight into why 21-year-old Jordan Farmar has become not only a contributor for the Lakers, but a leader.
According to Derek Fisher, Farmar's mentor, Farmar hasn't rested on his laurels:
"What Jordan has done is he has not become complacent in his success. That's why he's continued to separate himself so early in his career. He's willing to put the hours in. Extra time watching film, looking at what he's done wrong and what he's done right. He's already a professional and that's why he's been able to be successful at his age."
In high schoool, Farmar "started collecting game tape of the league's best point guards - John Stockton, Magic Johnson and Jason Kidd. At UCLA, Chris Paul became a favorite. Farmar studied their moves, the way they led their teams, their technique. That was in addition to the extra jump shots he'd shoot every day, even during the summers, when he was in the gym six, sometimes even seven days a week. He was so diligent, his high school coach said...we had to give him a key to the gym."
His approach to coming of the bench is impressive for a 21-year-old.
Says Farmar:
"I'm very competitive, I want to be the best so it's really tough, but when you look at the big picture, you have to take everything into account. My time will come. I'm young, I'm 21 years old, there's no point in rushing it. When you're young, you're eager, you want to show what you can do. But everything happens in due time."
Fisher is also an ideal mentor for Farmar, whose respect for the 34-year-old Fisher is evident:
"He's been there before, he's done it. He has been where I want to get to so why wouldn’t I listen to him. Just talking to him about things, about life in general has been great for me."
According to Derek Fisher, Farmar's mentor, Farmar hasn't rested on his laurels:
"What Jordan has done is he has not become complacent in his success. That's why he's continued to separate himself so early in his career. He's willing to put the hours in. Extra time watching film, looking at what he's done wrong and what he's done right. He's already a professional and that's why he's been able to be successful at his age."
In high schoool, Farmar "started collecting game tape of the league's best point guards - John Stockton, Magic Johnson and Jason Kidd. At UCLA, Chris Paul became a favorite. Farmar studied their moves, the way they led their teams, their technique. That was in addition to the extra jump shots he'd shoot every day, even during the summers, when he was in the gym six, sometimes even seven days a week. He was so diligent, his high school coach said...we had to give him a key to the gym."
His approach to coming of the bench is impressive for a 21-year-old.
Says Farmar:
"I'm very competitive, I want to be the best so it's really tough, but when you look at the big picture, you have to take everything into account. My time will come. I'm young, I'm 21 years old, there's no point in rushing it. When you're young, you're eager, you want to show what you can do. But everything happens in due time."
Fisher is also an ideal mentor for Farmar, whose respect for the 34-year-old Fisher is evident:
"He's been there before, he's done it. He has been where I want to get to so why wouldn’t I listen to him. Just talking to him about things, about life in general has been great for me."
KEVIN GARNETT
Toronto Raptors coach Sam Mitchell spoke to a reporter about Kevin Garnett's incredible work ethic, saying:
"Nobody can teach that to you. It’s got to be in you, and he had it from the first day. The guy just competes so hard. In his mind, he still doesn’t think he’s quite good enough. And I guess that’s what you need to have to be great. You don’t believe what people say about you. Somewhere in his mind, he probably doesn’t think he’s quite good enough."
It's 8 a.m. in "Sin City" and the Celtics new star forward Kevin Garnett, is already up and working out on Labor Day.
Garnett is among more than 20 NBA players working out under the Abunassar Impact Basketball system at the Tarkanian Basketball Academy, but none may be taking it more seriously. For more than a week, the 10-time All-Star has been the first player to arrive for his six-day-a-week workouts. In fact, Garnett has been starting at 7 a.m. since arriving Aug. 27, and he began an hour later yesterday only because Joe Abunassar wanted his employees to have an extra hour of sleep on the holiday.
"I like my footprints to be the first in the sand," Garnett said.
Said Abunassar: "He's a workout freak and always has been. He likes to come in and get it done."
Abunassar has been working out Garnett for seven weeks this summer. The regimen includes about 90 minutes of weight training and 90 minutes of basketball drills and five-on-five scrimmages. While Celtics training camp doesn't begin until Sept. 30 in Rome, Garnett already seems to be in prime shape.
In one drill yesterday, Garnett showed how strong he is. Wearing a belt with a cable connected to it, Garnett was immovable as one man tried to yank him from the post with the cable and Abunassar tried unsuccessfully to steal the ball several times.
The 6-foot-11-inch, 253-pounder also sprinted while pulling a man with a resistance cable. After the drill, a sweat-drenched Garnett made the majority of his free throws while pumping himself up.
"C'mon Kevin. C'mon Kevin. C'mon Kevin," he said.
Garnett preferred not to talk much about his tough regimen. Abunassar said Garnett is private about it and doesn't like fanfare, but he did make it clear that Garnett is the hardest worker of all the players Abunassar trains.
"He's so focused about getting ready," Abunassar said. "He's a leader by the way he is. That's why he's Kevin Garnett."
Celtics coach Doc Rivers would like his players to be in Boston for pre-training camp workouts by Sunday. According to Abunassar, Garnett is expected to arrive in Boston as early as tomorrow.
Celtics executive director of basketball operations Danny Ainge said Garnett and guard Ray Allen have been calling their new teammates to get in early for voluntary workouts. According to Ainge, 8-10 Celtics have been working out, voluntarily, at the Waltham facility on a consistent basis. Ainge also wasn't surprised to hear Garnett has been working out hard.
"He's looking forward to this year," Ainge said. "Work ethic isn't something he's lacked."
HARD WORK DOESN’T GUARANTEE SUCCESS BUT WITHOUT IT YOU DON’T HAVE A CHANCE!
"Nobody can teach that to you. It’s got to be in you, and he had it from the first day. The guy just competes so hard. In his mind, he still doesn’t think he’s quite good enough. And I guess that’s what you need to have to be great. You don’t believe what people say about you. Somewhere in his mind, he probably doesn’t think he’s quite good enough."
It's 8 a.m. in "Sin City" and the Celtics new star forward Kevin Garnett, is already up and working out on Labor Day.
Garnett is among more than 20 NBA players working out under the Abunassar Impact Basketball system at the Tarkanian Basketball Academy, but none may be taking it more seriously. For more than a week, the 10-time All-Star has been the first player to arrive for his six-day-a-week workouts. In fact, Garnett has been starting at 7 a.m. since arriving Aug. 27, and he began an hour later yesterday only because Joe Abunassar wanted his employees to have an extra hour of sleep on the holiday.
"I like my footprints to be the first in the sand," Garnett said.
Said Abunassar: "He's a workout freak and always has been. He likes to come in and get it done."
Abunassar has been working out Garnett for seven weeks this summer. The regimen includes about 90 minutes of weight training and 90 minutes of basketball drills and five-on-five scrimmages. While Celtics training camp doesn't begin until Sept. 30 in Rome, Garnett already seems to be in prime shape.
In one drill yesterday, Garnett showed how strong he is. Wearing a belt with a cable connected to it, Garnett was immovable as one man tried to yank him from the post with the cable and Abunassar tried unsuccessfully to steal the ball several times.
The 6-foot-11-inch, 253-pounder also sprinted while pulling a man with a resistance cable. After the drill, a sweat-drenched Garnett made the majority of his free throws while pumping himself up.
"C'mon Kevin. C'mon Kevin. C'mon Kevin," he said.
Garnett preferred not to talk much about his tough regimen. Abunassar said Garnett is private about it and doesn't like fanfare, but he did make it clear that Garnett is the hardest worker of all the players Abunassar trains.
"He's so focused about getting ready," Abunassar said. "He's a leader by the way he is. That's why he's Kevin Garnett."
Celtics coach Doc Rivers would like his players to be in Boston for pre-training camp workouts by Sunday. According to Abunassar, Garnett is expected to arrive in Boston as early as tomorrow.
Celtics executive director of basketball operations Danny Ainge said Garnett and guard Ray Allen have been calling their new teammates to get in early for voluntary workouts. According to Ainge, 8-10 Celtics have been working out, voluntarily, at the Waltham facility on a consistent basis. Ainge also wasn't surprised to hear Garnett has been working out hard.
"He's looking forward to this year," Ainge said. "Work ethic isn't something he's lacked."
HARD WORK DOESN’T GUARANTEE SUCCESS BUT WITHOUT IT YOU DON’T HAVE A CHANCE!
Be Selective In Your Leadership
"Early on in the year I was driving myself into the ground trying to push everyone and get everyone going. That's when coach said to me 'just worry about the guys who are going to follow you and everyone else will follow those guys and it will be a trickle-down effect.' That's when I finally started to take off and we started to win some games. When I did that, it made things a lot easier."
When you are a leader you can only lead the people that are willing to follow you.
When you are a leader you can only lead the people that are willing to follow you.
Live In The Moment - One Day At A Time
When we are so concerned with what's next...we steal attention from the present. When the mind becomes focused exclusively on the future, pretty soon we're not in the present at all.
When you are on a journey, it's certainly helpful to know where you are going...but don't forget that the only thing that is ultimately real about your journey is the step that you are taking at this moment.
It’s important to have long term goals and dreams that you want to accomplish. Just make sure you understand what the necessary steps are to getting there.
When you are on a journey, it's certainly helpful to know where you are going...but don't forget that the only thing that is ultimately real about your journey is the step that you are taking at this moment.
It’s important to have long term goals and dreams that you want to accomplish. Just make sure you understand what the necessary steps are to getting there.
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