I
had a discussion recently with members of a Division 1 basketball team who were
lamenting the fact that the selfish play and me-first attitude of a number of
their teammates has impacted the team's ability to win some win-able games. The
things they mentioned ranged from players whose primary game-time focus is on
improving their personal stats to teammates who are disrespectful to coaches
(including foul language and shoving coaches).
On
two other occasions I was told by European big men on college teams that
making good passes is something they always prided themselves on, but here in
the States they found that if they passed the ball they weren't likely to get
it back.
Five
guys playing as one team – with all that entails – has on many an occasion
resulted in a victory over a team with greater talent. If I were writing this column for coaches
(for so many of whom the capacity for building a team-first culture seems to be
rather elusive) I would propose that the player who showed the greatest
team-first mentality in a game be freed from running suicides for a week. I am
pretty certain that this would send home the message.
Any
fan of the movie “Hoosiers” (based on the true story of how an unlikely team
from small town Milan, Indiana made it all the way to the 1954 Indiana High
School basketball State Finals where they beat power house Muncie Central to
win the state title) will remember how early in the film Coach Norman Dale
(played by Gene Hackman) was willing to remove ANY player from the team – no
matter how talented or seemingly irreplaceable – who could not or would not
accept the team-first approach. EVERY
coach preaches this but how many back it up with consequential actions.
Admittedly a coach's job is on the line, but most seem focused on short term
gains ( a win here or there) over building a long-term core value of team
success first).
Since
I am writing this column for players, however, let me offer a few thoughts to
those of you who find yourself in a position similar to that of the players mentioned at the outset.
While
there is nothing wrong with vigilantly pursuing your own welfare, ask yourself
if you are allowing the situation on your team to affect your attitude. It will
be tempting to follow the norm and let your own ego needs come first, and
become another player who looks to shoot first no matter the situation. However, you can use the opportunity to
become a smarter player. When you have the ball, if the best move is to shoot
or drive to the hole then do that. But if the best move is pass to an open
teammate then LET that prevail over the wish to take the shot.
Even
if no one else notices, you will be making improvement in your decision making
ability.
Another
think you can do is make a check list of things that are representative of
team-oriented play, and then rate yourself on those behaviors. Doing this over
a period of time will heighten your awareness of these things (whether it is
setting a good screen, cheering loudly from the bench, or diving for loose
balls).
One
thing that could prove instrumental in shifting things a bit is to take note of
moments of team-oriented play by your more selfish teammate, and comment on
them afterwards. It is a subtle way of reinforcing the kind of behavior you
think is best for the team overall.
We
all like praise and if a teammate is being praised for certain things he is
likely to repeat them. Obviously you want to show some subtlety, so instead of
saying something like “You are always looking to shoot but I like that you
passed to John when he was open” you may say something like “That was a great
pass to John that set him up perfectly for the bucket.”
Maybe
there are others on the team who feel the way you do. If a couple of you are
being vocal with these kinds of comments it might help. The bottom line is that
complaining or feeling sorry for yourself, while understandable, is likely to
underscore your feelings of being a “victim” rather than a problem solver. So
staying positive is the key.
Nearly
two thousand years ago the Jewish sage Hillel noted:
“If
I am not for myself, who will be for me?
But
if I am only for myself, what am I?”
For
the athlete who believes in himself as a strong competitor and who cares about
what it takes for his team to compete at their full potential, those ancient
words still bear up today.
