Boston Celtics Kevin Eastmans thoughts on what makes the great ones great...
I just got to thinking how fortunate I've been to be in the NBA and observe all the great players -- but not from a “wow" standpoint. I get to see how they operate and what makes them special. Among many other things, here's a list of separators:
• They have tremendous focus on the floor and whenever a coach is talking
• They want to know anything a coach can give them that will improve their game; always willing to learn
• They want to get their work in every day
• They go every bit as hard in practices as they do the games
• They stay on the practice floor or in the drill until they get it right
• They know the little things often separate them from the rest of the players in the league; they pay attention to details
• They can’t stand players that don’t work
• They very seldom sit out of practices
• They don’t mind being corrected and coached when they know the coach is right and the coach is telling them the truth
• They want to hear the truth
• They are committed to all aspects of their game -- their skills, their bodies, their training, their conditioning, the food they eat……everything
• They hold themselves personally accountable
• They will also hold their teammates accountable for their roles
• They despise losing
• They are extremely competitive
• They have incredible belief in themselves and their abilities
