WHAT MAKES THE GREAT ONES GREAT

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

KEVIN EASTMAN - BOSTON CELTICS

Boston Celtics assistant coach Kevin Eastman talks about some common characteristics every great leader has. These are the special people who only need a coach to teach them what and how to do something; then they take that and run with it. They understand that a major part of their job is to be self sufficient and personally accountable for their improvement and productivity.

• They don't blame others first; instead, they look first for what they contributed (or did not contribute) to the situation

• They don't complain; instead, they look for ways to correct things that aren't working

• They don't procrastinate; instead, get things done now

• They always give more than they ask of others

• They always look to take on as much as they can handle, rather than look to pass things on to others all the time

• They are constantly trying to improve their game so they can bring more to the team and consistently fulfill their role

• They are self starters and study the game (and themselves) enough to know what needs to be done; then go about doing it

• They do the unrequired work, knowing that it simply needs to get done -- extra shots, extra weight training, extra film watching, etc. – without constantly needing a coach to tell them to work

• They hold others accountable for their jobs and roles because they know the importance of accountability as it relates to winning; this creates a collective responsibility

• They always be among of the most trusted players on the team, by coaches and players