The keys to winning that don’t show up in a stat sheet, highlight clips or in the articles; 1. Bench Energy ( Coaches and Players) 2. Passes that lead to good shots that were just missed. 3. Forgiveness when a teammate makes a turnover , mistake or missed pass opportunity.

Teams; 1. Do you RUN over to pick up a teammate on the ground or do you WALK over ? 2. Do you have an URGENT excitement when a teammate makes a play or do you just slap his hand because you are supposed to ? 3. Do you get up off the Bench to greet a teammate or just sit there?

You ever seen a Hook & Ladder for the Win?! In Basketball?!? Loyola Marymount dials up the trick play and Will Johnston (@williamjr14) lays it in AT THE BUZZER to give the Lions the 76-75 win over Prairie View A&M

Today is one of the best days of my career. Hiring @CoachMarkPhelps brings me great joy. When I was at the lowest point of my career, he not only gave me a chance, he changed the trajectory of my life. Heck of a coach and person. Let’s go @lmulionsMBB Excited for our players. Proud of the staff we’ve put together.

COACHES/LEADERS — Hope is not a plan. It’s never a winning strategy. But in tough times, a clear plan of attack inspires the hope your team needs to believe and act. Team in a rut? Show them the path forward. Give them hope — individually and collectively — by showing them you have a proven plan to remedy the challenge!

PLAYERS — Your “Care Factor” is being observed by your current coaches and by the decision-makers at your next basketball destination. It’s evaluated as much as any other metric! Do you truly care about the game, your teammates, your coaches, competing, being your best, winning, and your legacy? Remember — Care isn’t spoken; it is only ever demonstrated.

“We talk about being relentless competitors, playing with toughness, effort. Never watching the scoreboard. You play to that standard, the rest takes care of itself. When you worry about results like so many people in our society do, it makes it tough to ever be happy,” Kirby Smart

PLAYERS — Is your team player-led or coach-led? A player-led team is ideal. When players hold each other accountable to “Best Practices” across the program, success follows. If your team is coach-led, it’s likely because your coach sees it as necessary for your team to reach its potential. As players mature (maybe not this season), the team can transition to being player-led. In the meantime, trust your coach. They’re not being excessive — they understand what it takes to unlock your best. Don’t resist it. Embrace it. Learn from it. Then, model it.

Workouts are a blessing Practices are a blessing Lifting weights is a blessing Conditioning is a blessing Games are a blessing Open gyms are a blessing Team dinners are a blessing Stop looking at these things as “have to’s” and start looking at them as “get to’s”

Scouting Report edges; -Who whines the most to the referees? Be physical with them. -Who is the worst getting back ? Have him near the basket / baseline as much as possible. -Who doesn’t talk ? Get them in as many ball screens and setting screens as possible. -Attack Soft

PRACTICE ESSENTIALS: MEASURE Now that practice is in full swing, we should be zeroed in on what we are measuring. Elite teams, programs, organizations, and companies determine what to measure and compare their results to make progress! What are we measuring as we look to optimize our teams' performance? ✴️Create STANDARDS of EXCELLENCE with Measurements. ✴️Number of made shots, layups, stops, turnover-less possessions, paint touches, etc. ✴️Six in 35, 85 in two, makes in a drill, 17's, 11's, 22's, 33's, etc. ✴️Everyone in the program should know the measurements. They should celebrate when standards are met and acknowledge when they are not. We don't have to be intricate, but we need everyone to be fully aware of what we are measuring ➡️ It's the best way to know if we are improving!

Stop trying to be spectacular. Start being consistent.

🔴 REBOUND! 🔴 Give Max Effort on Defense! 🔴 TALK! 🔴 See open teammates! 🔴 Make the extra pass! 🔴 Compete! Fight! 🔴 Purpose to make a teammate look good! ➡️➡️ You’ll play more, impact winning and build a reputation, and possibly a legacy!

RULE for Coaches and Players. When talking about the TEAM, use words like… 1. Us 2. Our 3. We Do NOT use words like… 1. Me 2. My 3. I Too many still talk in terms of individual glory or individual ownership. It is a TEAM game. Speak like a TEAM.

"Play as hard as you can, and be as coachable as possible... It’s ok to make mistakes, but learn from them." - Jrue Holiday

5 traditions to grow your 🏀 program’s CULTURE 1\ Victory Song Every time you win a game your team gets to “sing the song” in the locker room to celebrate It’s a silly thing, but I’m telling you, everyone looks forward to it