Confidence — Humility = Arrogance

Some thoughts after an average turnout of 2 players at practice this week. This is for our players, and especially our Varsity level Thunder, because — as we all know, our parents do their best and they can't do EVERYTHING, let alone get high schoolers to pay attention. So please do listen up.

>> Confidence + Humility = Maturity
Confidence — Humility = Arrogance
Success as a team is always phenomenal. Two league titles on the JV level. A tournament title at the Intermediate level. group of hard-working players sacrificing for the team good -- that's a championship mentality. This team worked HARD all spring at practice, taking on great alums like Bulla and Drew Viena. Ryan, Radyn's brother, was often there to give our guys great competition.

But now, the work ethic has tailed off. Guys show up to games out of shape. Even at practice, one guy wouldn't even run his 20 laps to start practice. Not even 10.

Championship heart actually begins with commitment and mental toughness. And right now, we've got guys training at school, doing fall sports, studying hard. But to miss ALL THREE practices this week when some guys aren't training or playing other sports?

Mental toughness. Heart. Have we lost them?

I texted a lot of our varsity guys tonight. Most of them are busy with other sports or training. The ones who have no other commitments? Didn't come to a single practice.

Planning to get better, even just 1% better every day, is wise. But not doing the work, getting in the reps, and still assuming you'll get better? Arrogance.

My aim for all our varsity guys is to get reps daily, to sharpen and sharpen in these 3 months going into school tryouts. For our guys to master their skill set. Right now I don't see anybody close to doing this on a daily basis except for Sierra and Mosi.

Sierra had Islanders practice today but is there with us every day otherwise. Mosi is at practice unless he has no ride (like yesterday) or has to do chores like laundry (today). But he's on the phone every day asking me if we have practice.

Some people are simply programmed to take the easy way and cruise through high school. Good for them. I don't want those guys on our team. I want hungry ballers. I want hard workers in the classroom. I want guys who understand the importance of saying "thank you" and "I love you" and "I'm sorry."

I want guys who take 5 seconds to text me and let me know they can't make practice. It's part of being a basketball family. It is basic courtesy that applies to all relationships in life.

It is being confident and having faith. To blow teammates and coaches off when they're counting on you, that's the height of arrogance. It is absolutely correctable. But all the talent in the world can't save a stubborn, arrogant person.

>> Failing to plan is planning to fail
Write out your exact goals at least once a month. Otherwise you get much less accomplished than you could have. It could be as basic as "I will dunk in 12 months" to "I will make 10 treys in a row at practice."

Work on a plan, the number of reps you will do daily even twice a day. Or your weight room plan to build explosion in your fast-twitch muscles. Running hills, beach, jumping rope, everything possible. PUT IT IN WRITING. Vague plans lead to vague results. Be clear about goals, big ones and little ones, while still being flexible from day to day. We all need a day off to rest now and then.

Part of growing up is learning to make choices, the kind that help your team and teammates succeed. It's true of nearly every line of work, every kind of sport, every successful organization.

There will always be a majority that watches and mocks those if us who put in the time, energy and reps. Striving to be at your best for your team... It is not a common attitude. That's why champions are rare and mediocre players and teams are the norm.

Our norm is different and always will be. All that hard work in the spring every day after school, that's a big reason we escalated to a championship level.

And when I see an attitude of apathy and mediocrity spreading within our family, you're darn right I'm going to speak up.

Excellence. Never let it go.