Henry Abbott of TrueHoop (available on ESPN.com), in my humble opinion, has the best blog on the 'net. He consistently brings meat on all things NBA and is insightful on issues on and off the court. As a basketball fan and coach there is not a week that goes by where I don't feel like I've learned something about the game, players, coaches, strategies, personalities, etc. This posting evaluating the role chemistry plays in a team's success is BRILLIANT!!! Here's an excerpt from an email response to Henry's team chemistry question from Noah B. Gentner, Assistant Professor of Exercise and Sport Sciences at Ithaca College (courtesy Henry Abbott of TrueHoop):
Another important issue to consider here is the overall psyche and confidence of a team. There is an amazing connection in humans between our thoughts and actions. If we consistently think about something we are more likely to do it. If right now you start thinking, "I'm so happy this is the best day ever," and you continue to think that you will notice yourself starting to smile and feel better.
The same thing happens with athletes. If they believe they have a team that can win the title they will play harder, with more confidence, and be more likely to work through adversity than those who deep down don't believe in their team's ability to win.
It essentially boils down to what I know more and more and that is if you have talent, you can win games. You don't have to like your teammate to win games, but you need your teammates to be talented. You can love your teammates like they are your own flesh and blood, but if they can't hoop, it doesn't matter how great you all get along. Tactical talent (talent put to good use) trumps social cohesion all day long.
2 comments:
Hey Derrick!
Im also a fellow blogger. Nice site. I think this is a classic case of what we in the psych world like to call "self fulfilling prophecy."
When a team has a positive mental attitude, they run the floor quicker, they pass the ball crisper, and they take better shots.
While I didnt agree with the Dallas-NJ trade, Ive noticed a spring in the Mavs step. Guys expect to get the ball and are running down the court with hands open.
Coaches also inspire this type of mentality. While Im not enamored by Phil Jacksons many rings and think Larry Brown is the best coach of all time, I am always impressed at how Jacksons triangle offense inspires average guys to take good shots and have confidence in their abilities.
I need to read this guys articles more. Kenny Smith is a great analyst, but a crummy writer. Lets pray Charles doesnt start writing...
Doug, what's your blog? I would love to check it out. I think you may be giving Jackson too much credit because a) the offense is Tex Winter's and b) I think that the average guys get to take good shots because on Phil's teams those guys either had Jordan, Shaq, or Kobe on the floor with them. I don't think there was anything spectacular about Pat Riley's offense with the Heat but guys like Damon Jones, Jason Kapono, Antoine Walker, James Posey, and Rasual Butler are average players who got to take good shots. It was not as a result of the triangle, it was the result of Shaq commanding so much attention on the low block.
Too late on that Charles writing thing - he's written at least 3 books already...
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