Tag: Basketball

March Madness and the Value of Continuity

Written on March 20, 2015.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The contest we are currently running (check it out here) inspired me to write this blog. These are my favorite four days of the sporting calendar. As the NCAA Basketball Tournament tipped off yesterday, the little guys got the chance to pull back their slingshots while the big guys had to remain focused and keep momentum. What makes March Madness so exciting is that we can all bear witness to...

Shane Battier

Written on May 1, 2011.

Ultimate Teammate They will assume whatever role is necessary to win… Tomorrow night, the Memphis Grizzlies have a chance to become only the second team in NBA history to upset the top-seed in a seven-game first-round playoff series. That incredible journey began two weeks ago when Memphis forward Shane Battier hit a game-winning shot to give the franchise its first ever win in a playoff game. After that first...

Building A World-Class Team

Written on March 7, 2011.

Mike Krzyzewski’s principles for building a world-class team may not surprise you. Even so, how is Coach K able to do it year after year, team after team? Most coaches would consider leading a team to an Olympic gold medal a capper for a pretty good year. The same goes for winning an NCAA national championship. Or a FIBA world championship. Mike Krzyzewski, head coach of the Duke Blue Devils and Team USA, led...

Jason McElwain

Written on March 1, 2011.

Contagious Enthusiasm They are positive thinkers, they are enthusiastic and that enthusiasm rubs off! We are coming off of my favorite sports weekend of the entire year: March Madness! Honestly, who out there had VCU and Richmond in the Sweet Sixteen? But with all the talk of Bracket Busters and Cinderella teams, nothing that happened this weekend compares to my favorite springtime basketball story which occurred...

Sue Semrau

Written on August 1, 2010.

Do Unto Others… The Great ones know character is defined by how they treat those who can not help them. As many universities begin their fall semester this month, one of the most innovative yet under-publicized periods of the college sports calendar begins. Several years ago, NCAA rules changed to allow college basketball teams – both men’s and women’s – to take one pre-season out-of-country...

Chris Paul

Written on June 1, 2009.

Ultimate Teammate… The truly great will assume whatever role is necessary for the team to win. The 2008 United States Olympic Basketball Team had one goal in mind: to recapture the gold after earning the bronze in 2004. Dubbed “The Redeem Team,” the roster read like a future Hall of Fame ballot with names like Carmelo Anthony, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Jason Kidd, and Dwight Howard listed one after...

The Ultimate Upset

Written on March 1, 2009.

Upstart Villanova proved March Madness, like life, is all bout your performance on the court. The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament is nicknamed March Madness for two reasons: One, that’s the month when the three-week tournament mainly happens each year and, two, the tourney’s legacy includes dynasty teams and dramatic underdog stories. March Madness, as in life, is all about how you perform on the court. Nothing else...

Michael Jordan

Written on February 1, 2009.

When All Else Fails They know how – and when – to adjust their game plan It was June 14, 1998. The Chicago Bulls trailed the Utah Jazz 86-83 with 40 seconds remaining in what was game six of the NBA Finals. The Bulls held a 3-2 series advantage. Michael Jordan took the inbounds pass, went straight to the basket and hit a lay-up over Utah defenders, cutting the deficit to one. The Jazz took the ball down...