5.01.2009
RON ARTEST
“If he was in jeans and work boots, he’d go to the playground if he couldn’t get in the gym,” Mike Brown said of Artest who was an assistant coach for the Indiana Pacers.
PRIORITIES
Being with your girlfriend should never get in the way of you shooting 500 or even 1,000 shots a day. If she does then you don't love the game enough to become great.
4.27.2009
OREGONS ALL TIME LEADING SCORERS
1.) 2,628 Kevin Love 2007 Lake Oswego
4.) 2,382 Drew Wiley 2008 Thurston/McKenzie
5.) 2,331 Brad Tinsley 2008 Oregon City
8.) 2,207 Kyle Singler 2007 South Medford
19.) 1,949 Michael Harthun 2008 South Medford
58.) 1,661 Andy Poling 2008 Westview
72.) 1,578 Cameron McCaffrey 2009 Century
91.) 1,519 E.J. Singler 2009 South Medford
94.) 1,508 Paul McCoy 2008 DeLaSalle/Grant
96.) 1,502 Brian Conklin 2008 North Eugene
100.) 1,488 Michael Moser 2009 Grant
4.) 2,382 Drew Wiley 2008 Thurston/McKenzie
5.) 2,331 Brad Tinsley 2008 Oregon City
8.) 2,207 Kyle Singler 2007 South Medford
19.) 1,949 Michael Harthun 2008 South Medford
58.) 1,661 Andy Poling 2008 Westview
72.) 1,578 Cameron McCaffrey 2009 Century
91.) 1,519 E.J. Singler 2009 South Medford
94.) 1,508 Paul McCoy 2008 DeLaSalle/Grant
96.) 1,502 Brian Conklin 2008 North Eugene
100.) 1,488 Michael Moser 2009 Grant
LEBRON JAMES - WORK ETHIC
LeBron James made 3-pointers from every angle, drove into the lane for dunks and leaned into low post moves.
He was just getting warmed up -- two hours before tipoff -- and his regular routine provided another demonstration of greatness.
James had 36 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists Sunday to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 99-78 victory against the Detroit Pistons, sweeping the Eastern Conference first-round series.
The 24-year-old superstar said his work ethic has been "everything" in a breathtaking career that has surpassed unprecedented hype.
"You're only born with a certain amount of gifts," he said. "You have to take advantage of them, and put in the work. My work ethic has helped me be the player I am today."
Cavs coach Mike Brown said James is a "workaholic," and relayed an anecdote about his son being in awe of James lifting weights and going through individual drills during last offseason.
"I said, 'LeBron doesn't just show up at the game with a Superman outfit on,'" Brown recalled saying to his son.
James and the top-seeded Cavs were so efficient in sweeping Detroit they might be off for more than a week, waiting for Atlanta or Miami to advance.
"That's what happens when you take care of business," James said.
He was just getting warmed up -- two hours before tipoff -- and his regular routine provided another demonstration of greatness.
James had 36 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists Sunday to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 99-78 victory against the Detroit Pistons, sweeping the Eastern Conference first-round series.
The 24-year-old superstar said his work ethic has been "everything" in a breathtaking career that has surpassed unprecedented hype.
"You're only born with a certain amount of gifts," he said. "You have to take advantage of them, and put in the work. My work ethic has helped me be the player I am today."
Cavs coach Mike Brown said James is a "workaholic," and relayed an anecdote about his son being in awe of James lifting weights and going through individual drills during last offseason.
"I said, 'LeBron doesn't just show up at the game with a Superman outfit on,'" Brown recalled saying to his son.
James and the top-seeded Cavs were so efficient in sweeping Detroit they might be off for more than a week, waiting for Atlanta or Miami to advance.
"That's what happens when you take care of business," James said.
D WADE PROVIDING LEADERSHIP
Long after his Miami Heat had finished wiping the AmericanAirlines Arena floor with the Hawks Saturday night, Dwyane Wade said something that crystalized the difference between these two playoff combatants.
Asked about the leadership he provides for his team, the Heat superstar described his evolution as a team leader.
“One thing about being a leader is that it’s 24/7, 365 days a year,” Wade said. “It never stops. I was very disappointed with myself in Game 1. I was quiet, and that is not what my team needs. In Game 2 and Game 3 I took it upon myself to make sure that my voice is heard. To drive the points the coaches made and make sure they hear it again before they get on the court.”
You won’t hear anything resembling that from the Hawks. They don’t have a vocal leader in the mold of Wade. So their won’t be anyone rescuing the Hawks from themselves between now and the start of Monday night’s epically important Game 4.
All those cliches about leaders being born and not bred don’t register in this case. Leaders emerge in times like this. Leaders rise to the occasion and impose their will in times like this.
There are a handful of leaders in the NBA these days Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Chauncey Billups and Paul Pierce come to mind. The mettle required of your team leader in the playoffs isn’t hard to spot and Hawks’ captain and All-Star Joe Johnson has yet to show if he has it in him in this series.
The contrast between his demeanor Sunday and that of Wade over the past few days was striking. Wade vowed to revive his crew after that humiliating, 26-point loss in Game 1 and has done exactly that with two backbreaking efforts since then. Johnson didn’t sound a similar alarm Sunday when asked if he was ready to do it himself, speaking in terms of “we” and “us” when it’s clear that he has to pick up the mantle and carry his team back to even in this series.
“We’ve just got to grow up, man,” Johnson said, his voice trailing off with every word. “We hit a little adversity and now it’s as if we’re out of it. But we have to think positive the rest of the way. You’ve just got to believe. And we have to put it in the guys who have never been in this situation and we have to make them believe we can do this. We have to keep talking to them and keep putting confidence into them.”
The words are fine, but in the playoffs a man can only be judged by his actions.
Asked about the leadership he provides for his team, the Heat superstar described his evolution as a team leader.
“One thing about being a leader is that it’s 24/7, 365 days a year,” Wade said. “It never stops. I was very disappointed with myself in Game 1. I was quiet, and that is not what my team needs. In Game 2 and Game 3 I took it upon myself to make sure that my voice is heard. To drive the points the coaches made and make sure they hear it again before they get on the court.”
You won’t hear anything resembling that from the Hawks. They don’t have a vocal leader in the mold of Wade. So their won’t be anyone rescuing the Hawks from themselves between now and the start of Monday night’s epically important Game 4.
All those cliches about leaders being born and not bred don’t register in this case. Leaders emerge in times like this. Leaders rise to the occasion and impose their will in times like this.
There are a handful of leaders in the NBA these days Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Chauncey Billups and Paul Pierce come to mind. The mettle required of your team leader in the playoffs isn’t hard to spot and Hawks’ captain and All-Star Joe Johnson has yet to show if he has it in him in this series.
The contrast between his demeanor Sunday and that of Wade over the past few days was striking. Wade vowed to revive his crew after that humiliating, 26-point loss in Game 1 and has done exactly that with two backbreaking efforts since then. Johnson didn’t sound a similar alarm Sunday when asked if he was ready to do it himself, speaking in terms of “we” and “us” when it’s clear that he has to pick up the mantle and carry his team back to even in this series.
“We’ve just got to grow up, man,” Johnson said, his voice trailing off with every word. “We hit a little adversity and now it’s as if we’re out of it. But we have to think positive the rest of the way. You’ve just got to believe. And we have to put it in the guys who have never been in this situation and we have to make them believe we can do this. We have to keep talking to them and keep putting confidence into them.”
The words are fine, but in the playoffs a man can only be judged by his actions.
4.25.2009
JERMAINE O'NEAL
Jermaine O’Neal’s commitment to the game and improving is still strong after 12 years in the NBA. He’s watched film of Game 2 twice already. By the time you read this he’ll have watched it a third time.
The first time he watched strictly for offense. The second time was strictly for defense. The third time was for timing on blocking shots and getting in position for rebounds. O’Neal suspects when he attempts to block a shot the Hawks sneak behind him and position themselves to grab rebounds.
Jermaine teaches us a valuable lesson, never stop trying to improve and get an edge on your opponent!
The first time he watched strictly for offense. The second time was strictly for defense. The third time was for timing on blocking shots and getting in position for rebounds. O’Neal suspects when he attempts to block a shot the Hawks sneak behind him and position themselves to grab rebounds.
Jermaine teaches us a valuable lesson, never stop trying to improve and get an edge on your opponent!
LEADERSHIP
Washington Wizards coach Flip Saunders "I don't know any team that's ever really had success if the best player hasn't been a leader."
4.24.2009
VETERANS NEED TO BE LEADERS
"Your veteran players have to be mentors of those young players, and when you are mentors, you have a vested interest and they take accountability with the young players. You come out and a guy goes into the game, you're excited to see him have success." Gilbert Arenas
4.21.2009
CRITICISM
CRITICISM DEFINED
"The goal of true criticism is to help someone be the best they can be...When criticism is done appropriately, the person who has been criticized will understand what he or she has done wrong and will feel inspired to make a change for the better. Not only should we not avoid being criticized, we should embrace criticism because it is the only way we can continue to grow professionally and personally."
Is the criticism offered constructively (in an effort to help)?
Does the critic have the insight and perspective to speak credibly?
LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN
Sincere criticism rarely comes without a morsel of truth. The trick is to stay open when confronted with negative feedback. When criticized, people are tempted to react defensively, angrily, or from a place of hurt. With emotions swirling about inside, it can be difficult to keep listening and to absorb critical comments.
Those who gain the most out of criticism hold their tongue and control their emotions in order to gain access to hard truths. By listening and remaining objective, they grow increasingly self-aware and improve their leadership.
"The goal of true criticism is to help someone be the best they can be...When criticism is done appropriately, the person who has been criticized will understand what he or she has done wrong and will feel inspired to make a change for the better. Not only should we not avoid being criticized, we should embrace criticism because it is the only way we can continue to grow professionally and personally."
Is the criticism offered constructively (in an effort to help)?
Does the critic have the insight and perspective to speak credibly?
LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN
Sincere criticism rarely comes without a morsel of truth. The trick is to stay open when confronted with negative feedback. When criticized, people are tempted to react defensively, angrily, or from a place of hurt. With emotions swirling about inside, it can be difficult to keep listening and to absorb critical comments.
Those who gain the most out of criticism hold their tongue and control their emotions in order to gain access to hard truths. By listening and remaining objective, they grow increasingly self-aware and improve their leadership.
TEAMMATES
Michael Phelps' Olympic Triumph
A victory in the 400-meter medley relay marked Michael Phelps' eighth gold medal in the Beijing Olympic games. The record-breaking feat made Phelps the single greatest Olympian in history. As he celebrated the triumph with his teammates, Phelps could be heard uttering the same phrase over and over again: "I couldn't have done it without you guys."
Phelps wasn't merely giving lip service to teamwork. If not for the superhuman efforts of a teammate, his historic quest for eight gold medals would have come to a premature end.
An Amazing Comeback
In the 400-meter freestyle relay, Phelps swam the lead leg. Although he put the Americans in front, they were overtaken by the French and trailed considerably as the final swimmers dove into the pool. John Lezak, the oldest man on the American swim team, desperately tried to catch up. Despite his efforts, halfway into his anchor leg Lezak was almost a body-length behind France's Alain Bernard. Just as the television announcers were writing off the Americans, Lezak found another gear. During what seemed like an eternity, he inched closer and closer to the French lead. As they approached the finish line, both swimmers lunged for the wall. Lezak touched it first by a fingernail - one-one hundredth of a second - and the Americans won the gold.
Michael Phelps' accomplishments in Beijing garnered him the individual record of eight gold medals in a single Olympics. However, he never could have achieved the historic mark without the contributions of his teammates.
The leadership lesson in his story is simple: No matter how much talent you have, teammates can take you farther than you can go by yourself.
A victory in the 400-meter medley relay marked Michael Phelps' eighth gold medal in the Beijing Olympic games. The record-breaking feat made Phelps the single greatest Olympian in history. As he celebrated the triumph with his teammates, Phelps could be heard uttering the same phrase over and over again: "I couldn't have done it without you guys."
Phelps wasn't merely giving lip service to teamwork. If not for the superhuman efforts of a teammate, his historic quest for eight gold medals would have come to a premature end.
An Amazing Comeback
In the 400-meter freestyle relay, Phelps swam the lead leg. Although he put the Americans in front, they were overtaken by the French and trailed considerably as the final swimmers dove into the pool. John Lezak, the oldest man on the American swim team, desperately tried to catch up. Despite his efforts, halfway into his anchor leg Lezak was almost a body-length behind France's Alain Bernard. Just as the television announcers were writing off the Americans, Lezak found another gear. During what seemed like an eternity, he inched closer and closer to the French lead. As they approached the finish line, both swimmers lunged for the wall. Lezak touched it first by a fingernail - one-one hundredth of a second - and the Americans won the gold.
Michael Phelps' accomplishments in Beijing garnered him the individual record of eight gold medals in a single Olympics. However, he never could have achieved the historic mark without the contributions of his teammates.
The leadership lesson in his story is simple: No matter how much talent you have, teammates can take you farther than you can go by yourself.
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