Why take the time to read? Reading exposes readers to a variety of ideas, and if you’re open-minded, challenges the reader concerning her beliefs. As coaches, players, and fans we have ingrained BIASES, because of the way we are “wired”. We have ATTRIBUTION BIAS (success tends to come from within and failure explained by external factors), CONFIRMATORY BIAS (we tend to embrace ideas we already believe), and so on.
But what ingredients go into the successful basketball player? In “Talent Is Overrated” Geoff Colvin explores (much like Malcolm Gladwell in “Outliers”), what goes into success. Perhaps not surprisingly, intelligence doesn’t lead the list. That doesn’t diminish intelligence, but recognizes the varieties of intelligence and the ability to synthesize complex data (for example basketball) based on experience, interest, and practice.
Colvin notes the FOUR E’s, energy, the ability to energize, edge (defined as decisiveness), and execution. Where do you need to go to get to the top of the list?
Can you change the player you are? Absolutely. Years ago, Isiah Thomas took umbrage with Larry Bird’s recognition as a great player. Thomas didn’t mean to dismiss Bird’s achievements, but rather wanted recognition that he, too, had become a great player because of the long, tedious hours that he had spent, day after day on sweltering Chicago playgrounds. Maybe he was born to be a great player, but certainly he had made himself into one.
The ability to make the players around you better characterizes the best players. You can improve the players around you better in so many ways, on and off the court. Great teammates support the team and each other, encourage everyone to get better, invariably work hard in both practice and games, and do whatever is needed (defend, rebound, set screens, move without the ball, pass, and so forth) at the right time.
A great player might simply NOT do something selfish. When leading in a close game late, the team need not score, but simply “freeze” the ball, play “keep away”. The invaluable player does what must be done, the right action at the right time.
Do you want to be part of the 4E Club?
