The Top-of-the-Building Perspective

When you’re in the depths of a bad streak, it’s like being in dark alley. You can’t see above the menacing walls on either side. You can’t get a foothold to climb up the side. You just need to find a way to get that top-of-the-building perspective.

Read More

The Criticism Trap (Part 2) - Coaches

The Criticism Trap comes when coaches come to incorrect conclusions when analyzing feedback.

Read More

The Criticism Trap (Part 1) - Players

Feedback is crucial for rapid improvement. However, there are times when—in analyzing the feedback—we end up drawing false conclusions. These false conclusions lead to The Criticism Trap. 

Read More

Lions vs. Antelopes (We're the Antelopes)

In evolution, there is a concept known as optimal challenge. Antelopes use optimal challenge to become faster and stronger. You too can use optimal challenge to become a better basketball player.

Read More

If I Could Choose One Quality to Give a Basketball Player It Might Be This

Imagine your coach tells you to choose a partner to play 1 on 1. Who do you look to first? The guy on the end of the bench who’s not very good or the best player at your position? Who you decide to play indicates whether you have a growth mindset or a fixed mindset. The mindset that you adopt has immense consequences for your basketball career and your life. 

Read More

Why Do You Work So Hard?

The other day, a friend asked me if I felt like basketball had become “paid drudgery” for me now that I'm a pro. I thought about it for a few moments and said no. I still love playing basketball despite being paid to do it. But the reason why I work so hard has shifted since turning pro.

Read More

How the Best Players in the World Manage the Fear of Failure

Fear of failure can be helpful in the right situation. It drives a relentless work ethic and preparation. But it's crippling to performance in games. This post explains the double-edged sword nature of the fear of failure.

Read More

If You Look Stupid, You're Doing Something Right

“Teammates of the hockey star Wayne Gretzky would occasionally witness a strange sight: Gretzky falling while he skated through solitary drills on the ice. While the spectacle of the planet’s greatest hockey player toppling over like a grade-schooler might seem surprising, it actually makes perfect sense..."

Read More

Why Pros Don't Love Basketball Anymore

When pros get paid to play, they unwittingly fall prey to the overjustification effect, which can be summarized as; rewards turn play into work.

Read More

The Pain of Discipline vs. The Pain of Regret

"We must all suffer from one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons." -Jim Rohn

Read More

The "You win - I suck" Mindset

"There would be no problem with competition if one's self-image were not at stake." -Timothy Gallwey

Read More

4 Reasons Why Conditioning Can Be Your Greatest Skill

Buck is a legend in my hometown and a tremendous player back in his day. He played at Idaho state and professionally in Mexico. So when a camper asked him what the best part of his game was, my ears perked up. Buck replied simply, “my best skill as a player was my conditioning.”

Read More