“It’s not about talent, it’s about how the team plays. That’s the litmus. Let’s see how we play. Let’s see how we coach. What the team looks like on paper doesn’t mean a thing.”
-Bill Belichick
10.16.2009
10.14.2009
BILL RUSSELL - CAPTAIN
On the Jim Rome Show, Boston Celtics great, Bill Russell was his guest. Russ was talking about his new book, ‘Red and Me’, which details his relationship with the late Red Auerbach.
Towards the conclusion of the interview, Russell cut Rome off; “I apologize for interrupting you. Can you do me a favor?” Russell said.
Rome was like, “heck yeah, anything for you.”
“When you introduce me, can you please refer to me as the former captain of the Boston Celtics; That means way more to me then any Hall of Fame or other personal title. That was the most important thing for me.”
Towards the conclusion of the interview, Russell cut Rome off; “I apologize for interrupting you. Can you do me a favor?” Russell said.
Rome was like, “heck yeah, anything for you.”
“When you introduce me, can you please refer to me as the former captain of the Boston Celtics; That means way more to me then any Hall of Fame or other personal title. That was the most important thing for me.”
10.09.2009
TALENT IS OVERRATED
Author Geoff Colvin argues that ‘deliberate practice,’ not innate ability, is the true key to world-class performance.
As Colvin notes, “most people are just okay at what they do.” Few of us play golf like Tiger Woods, compose like Mozart, or pick stocks like Warren Buffett. When we try to explain the success of such extraordinary performers, we typically attribute it to either hard work or talent. People get extremely good at something because they work really hard at it, or because they have a one in a million god-given gift. You have it or you don’t. If you don’t—and of course most of us don’t—then you better be willing to work really hard if you want to reach the pinnacle of your field.
The book Talent is Overrated highlights a growing body of research, which shows that the top achievers in many fields are neither high-IQ geniuses nor former child prodigies turned professionals. In fact, many of these top performers are just reasonably bright people who showed a slight knack for something and then spent decades engaged in “deliberate practice,” which involves spending hours figuring out your weak spots, honing specific skills through constant feedback, and learning as much as possible about your field. The bad news is that such practice is “highly demanding mentally” and “isn’t much fun.” The good news is that if you do it, you will learn that “great performance is in our hands far more than most of us ever suspected.”
Colvin highlights one study, which found that top violinists put in more than twice as many hours of solo practice as their lesser peers.
The story of the Polgar sisters, which Colvin tells at length, also seems to undermine the notion of God-given talent. In the 1960s, Hungarian educational psychologist Laszlo Polgar believed that great performers are made, not born. To test this theory, he designed an experiment. Polgar and his wife, Klara, devoted their lives to turning their three daughters into brilliant chess players. Laszlo was only a mediocre player, and Klara hadn’t played much at all, but they filled their home with chess books and home schooled their girls so they could spend several hours each day mastering the game. As a result, their oldest daughter, Susan, was eventually named a grand master. The other daughters also became top players.
Even the usual stories of prodigies—such as Mozart and Tiger Woods—indicate that “deliberate practice” is more important than God-given ability. Mozart started playing the piano at age 3 under the tutelage of a father whose coaching methods had a lot in common with Laszlo Polgar’s chess instruction. Mozart did not compose his best symphonies until he had been studying composition and practicing—hard—for well over a decade. Tiger Woods began playing golf as a toddler under the guidance of his father, an excellent coach. By the time he started winning major titles in 1997, he had been honing his game daily for 20 years.
Colvin’s message to readers is clear: if you want to perform at a world-class level, you can. You simply have to put in many hard hours of “deliberate practice.”
As Colvin notes, “most people are just okay at what they do.” Few of us play golf like Tiger Woods, compose like Mozart, or pick stocks like Warren Buffett. When we try to explain the success of such extraordinary performers, we typically attribute it to either hard work or talent. People get extremely good at something because they work really hard at it, or because they have a one in a million god-given gift. You have it or you don’t. If you don’t—and of course most of us don’t—then you better be willing to work really hard if you want to reach the pinnacle of your field.
The book Talent is Overrated highlights a growing body of research, which shows that the top achievers in many fields are neither high-IQ geniuses nor former child prodigies turned professionals. In fact, many of these top performers are just reasonably bright people who showed a slight knack for something and then spent decades engaged in “deliberate practice,” which involves spending hours figuring out your weak spots, honing specific skills through constant feedback, and learning as much as possible about your field. The bad news is that such practice is “highly demanding mentally” and “isn’t much fun.” The good news is that if you do it, you will learn that “great performance is in our hands far more than most of us ever suspected.”
Colvin highlights one study, which found that top violinists put in more than twice as many hours of solo practice as their lesser peers.
The story of the Polgar sisters, which Colvin tells at length, also seems to undermine the notion of God-given talent. In the 1960s, Hungarian educational psychologist Laszlo Polgar believed that great performers are made, not born. To test this theory, he designed an experiment. Polgar and his wife, Klara, devoted their lives to turning their three daughters into brilliant chess players. Laszlo was only a mediocre player, and Klara hadn’t played much at all, but they filled their home with chess books and home schooled their girls so they could spend several hours each day mastering the game. As a result, their oldest daughter, Susan, was eventually named a grand master. The other daughters also became top players.
Even the usual stories of prodigies—such as Mozart and Tiger Woods—indicate that “deliberate practice” is more important than God-given ability. Mozart started playing the piano at age 3 under the tutelage of a father whose coaching methods had a lot in common with Laszlo Polgar’s chess instruction. Mozart did not compose his best symphonies until he had been studying composition and practicing—hard—for well over a decade. Tiger Woods began playing golf as a toddler under the guidance of his father, an excellent coach. By the time he started winning major titles in 1997, he had been honing his game daily for 20 years.
Colvin’s message to readers is clear: if you want to perform at a world-class level, you can. You simply have to put in many hard hours of “deliberate practice.”
10.06.2009
DEFENSIVE GOALS
New York Knicks defensive goals under Jeff Van Gundy
Field Goal Percentage - 42%
Free Throw Attempts = -25
3 Point Field Goal Percentage = 30%
Fast Break Attempts/Conversion Percentage = -12 @+50%
Defensive Rebounding Percentage = +74%
Deflections = +30
Momentum Changing Players (Blocked Shots/Charges) = +8
At LSU, our defensive goals this year will be as follows:
Field Goal Percentage = 42%
3 Point Field Goal Percentage = 25%
Deflections = +30
Defensive Rebounding Percentage = +70%
Opponent's Points Per Possession = .65 or less
Opponent's FT Per Possession = .15 or less
Opponent's Turnovers Per Possession = .18 or more
Transition: Open 3's or Lay-Ups = 0
Field Goal Percentage - 42%
Free Throw Attempts = -25
3 Point Field Goal Percentage = 30%
Fast Break Attempts/Conversion Percentage = -12 @+50%
Defensive Rebounding Percentage = +74%
Deflections = +30
Momentum Changing Players (Blocked Shots/Charges) = +8
At LSU, our defensive goals this year will be as follows:
Field Goal Percentage = 42%
3 Point Field Goal Percentage = 25%
Deflections = +30
Defensive Rebounding Percentage = +70%
Opponent's Points Per Possession = .65 or less
Opponent's FT Per Possession = .15 or less
Opponent's Turnovers Per Possession = .18 or more
Transition: Open 3's or Lay-Ups = 0
GREATNESS
“Greatness is not about someone who has the ability to be great…Greatness shows up when someone might not have the ability but finds a way to succeed. They outwork their opponents, they out hit their opponents, they outfight their opponents. They want it more. Don’t give me the guy who’s supposed to be all-world and you’ve got to try and talk him into something. Give me the guy who has maybe just enough talent to be on the field but thinks he’s great, and who’s willing to do whatever he can do to contribute, to make the team better. That’s what I want…”
-Mike Singletary
Head Coach of the San Francisco 49ers
-Mike Singletary
Head Coach of the San Francisco 49ers
99%
The following comes from "The Success Principles," by Jack Canfield.
This powerful 100% commitment also figures critically in other important areas -- for instance, the workplace. Consider what a commitment to just 99.9% quality would mean in the following work situations. It would mean:
...one hour of unsafe drinking water every month.
...two unsafe landings at O'Hare International Airport each day.
...16,000 lost pieces of mail each hour.
...20,000 incorrectly filled drug prescriptions every year.
...500 incorrect surgical operations performed each week.
...50 newborn babies dropped at birth by doctors every day.
...22,000 checks deducted from the wrong account each hour.
...your heart failing to beat 32,000 times each year.
Can you see why 100% is such an important percentage? Just think how much better your life and our team would work if you were committed to 100% excellence in everything you do.
This powerful 100% commitment also figures critically in other important areas -- for instance, the workplace. Consider what a commitment to just 99.9% quality would mean in the following work situations. It would mean:
...one hour of unsafe drinking water every month.
...two unsafe landings at O'Hare International Airport each day.
...16,000 lost pieces of mail each hour.
...20,000 incorrectly filled drug prescriptions every year.
...500 incorrect surgical operations performed each week.
...50 newborn babies dropped at birth by doctors every day.
...22,000 checks deducted from the wrong account each hour.
...your heart failing to beat 32,000 times each year.
Can you see why 100% is such an important percentage? Just think how much better your life and our team would work if you were committed to 100% excellence in everything you do.
LOU HOLZ
"I can honestly say, from the bottom of my heart, I have never had a crisis in my life or a setback that's not made me stronger, and it's turned out to be a positive thing in my life -- if I reacted positively to it. And many times I feel that the adversity and the setbacks that you experience are preparing you for something bigger and better, so when you get in that situation, or even a tougher one in the future, you'll be able to handle it."
-Lou Holz
-Lou Holz
JOHN WOODEN
His list of expectations of his players...
1. Never nag, razz or criticize a teammate.
2. Never expect favors.
3. Never make excuses.
4. Never be selfish, jealous, envious, or egotistical.
5. Never lose faith or patience.
6. Never waste time.
7. Never loaf, sulk, or boast.
8. Never require repeated criticism for the same mistake.
9. Never have reason to be sorry afterward.
1. Never nag, razz or criticize a teammate.
2. Never expect favors.
3. Never make excuses.
4. Never be selfish, jealous, envious, or egotistical.
5. Never lose faith or patience.
6. Never waste time.
7. Never loaf, sulk, or boast.
8. Never require repeated criticism for the same mistake.
9. Never have reason to be sorry afterward.
9.27.2009
Richard Hamilton – SLAM Magazine Interview
It’s not so much the numbers. Even though he was averaging a career- high 21.8 points on better than 50 percent shooting through early January, what really makes Richard “Rip” Hamilton a key piston in the Pistons’ drive for a third-straight NBA Finals appearance is how he goes about compiling those figures. His relentless running and picture perfect jumper makes him Detroit’s most consistent midrange and perimeter threat.
"He's poetry in motion. He moves more without the ball then anybody in this league since Reggie Miller." – New Orleans Hornets coach Byron Scott on Pistons shooting guard Richard Hamilton
SLAM: You’re having the best season of your career statistically. What did you work on over the summer?
RIP: I do a lot of conditioning in the offseason. I don’t really take any time off. A lot of guys in the summertime say, “Oh, I can finally eat whatever I want to eat and relax.” I hire a chef in the summertime and work on my weaknesses. I focus on a lot of specific parts of my game— my handle, my midrange game, my three-point shot, and my post-up.
SLAM: People always talk about your conditioning. In the NBA, is that more important than speed?
RIP: I think conditioning is very important. If you are in great shape you separate yourself from a lot of people that might be quicker or more athletic because they will wear out. I get myself in such good condition that when it comes to the game, the game is easy for me. If you take care of your body and think of your body as an investment it will come through for you. I treat my body just like a car. If you put in great fuel and take care of it, good things are going to happen. I eat all the right foods and things like that
SLAM: Do you consider yourself fast, or is it more about just being able to keep going when everyone else is wearing down?
RIP: I consider myself fast, and I consider myself able to keep going. I’m a lot faster than a whole lot of people in the League, but that speed gets better and better as the game goes on. Sometimes guys start off fast, but then they wear down. I always think that when I’m moving fast, I’m able to maintain that same high level throughout the whole game.
SLAM: You mentioned working on your midrange game. When did you realize that could be your bread and butter?
RIP: When I was in the 11th grade I went to ABCD Camp and it seemed like everybody there could dunk and everybody there could shoot threes. I looked at everybody and I couldn’t understand why everybody there couldn’t go to the NBA. So I had to figure out a way to do something different than they were doing, and for me that became working on my medium-range game.
SLAM: How did playing in college help you develop your game?
RIP: Oh, a lot. I wouldn’t be the player I am today if I hadn’t played in college. When I went to Connecticut, Coach Calhoun showed me how to use my teammates. He showed me how to use my screens. I mean, I never knew how to use a screen until I went to Connecticut. That’s why I always tell people, if you’re a guard, you should go to Connecticut.
SLAM: I know you were a Bulls fan growing up. Were you picking up things from watching Jordan back then, too?
RIP: Yeah. I was always a student of the game, and my favorite players were Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson. I never grew to be 6-9 and I never could jump as high as MJ, so I just studied the way they attacked the game, how they won at every level. I tried to take the one-two dribble pull-up from MJ.
SLAM: You have a little Reggie Miller in there, too.
RIP: Yeah, I watched him, too. I watched Reggie so much, him and Allen Iverson. I love the way Allen attacked on the break, and I always wondered how he was able to get to the basket and come off screens and use his teammates. Because, you know, he isn’t a heavy guy, either. I just loved his heart for the game. The same thing with Reggie—the way he would come off screens, the way he would get fouls, the way he was able to get his shot off regardless of who was on him. I studied those guys a lot.
"He's poetry in motion. He moves more without the ball then anybody in this league since Reggie Miller." – New Orleans Hornets coach Byron Scott on Pistons shooting guard Richard Hamilton
SLAM: You’re having the best season of your career statistically. What did you work on over the summer?
RIP: I do a lot of conditioning in the offseason. I don’t really take any time off. A lot of guys in the summertime say, “Oh, I can finally eat whatever I want to eat and relax.” I hire a chef in the summertime and work on my weaknesses. I focus on a lot of specific parts of my game— my handle, my midrange game, my three-point shot, and my post-up.
SLAM: People always talk about your conditioning. In the NBA, is that more important than speed?
RIP: I think conditioning is very important. If you are in great shape you separate yourself from a lot of people that might be quicker or more athletic because they will wear out. I get myself in such good condition that when it comes to the game, the game is easy for me. If you take care of your body and think of your body as an investment it will come through for you. I treat my body just like a car. If you put in great fuel and take care of it, good things are going to happen. I eat all the right foods and things like that
SLAM: Do you consider yourself fast, or is it more about just being able to keep going when everyone else is wearing down?
RIP: I consider myself fast, and I consider myself able to keep going. I’m a lot faster than a whole lot of people in the League, but that speed gets better and better as the game goes on. Sometimes guys start off fast, but then they wear down. I always think that when I’m moving fast, I’m able to maintain that same high level throughout the whole game.
SLAM: You mentioned working on your midrange game. When did you realize that could be your bread and butter?
RIP: When I was in the 11th grade I went to ABCD Camp and it seemed like everybody there could dunk and everybody there could shoot threes. I looked at everybody and I couldn’t understand why everybody there couldn’t go to the NBA. So I had to figure out a way to do something different than they were doing, and for me that became working on my medium-range game.
SLAM: How did playing in college help you develop your game?
RIP: Oh, a lot. I wouldn’t be the player I am today if I hadn’t played in college. When I went to Connecticut, Coach Calhoun showed me how to use my teammates. He showed me how to use my screens. I mean, I never knew how to use a screen until I went to Connecticut. That’s why I always tell people, if you’re a guard, you should go to Connecticut.
SLAM: I know you were a Bulls fan growing up. Were you picking up things from watching Jordan back then, too?
RIP: Yeah. I was always a student of the game, and my favorite players were Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson. I never grew to be 6-9 and I never could jump as high as MJ, so I just studied the way they attacked the game, how they won at every level. I tried to take the one-two dribble pull-up from MJ.
SLAM: You have a little Reggie Miller in there, too.
RIP: Yeah, I watched him, too. I watched Reggie so much, him and Allen Iverson. I love the way Allen attacked on the break, and I always wondered how he was able to get to the basket and come off screens and use his teammates. Because, you know, he isn’t a heavy guy, either. I just loved his heart for the game. The same thing with Reggie—the way he would come off screens, the way he would get fouls, the way he was able to get his shot off regardless of who was on him. I studied those guys a lot.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)