In his book "Leading With The Heart", Mike Krzyzewski (Head Coach of the Duke Blue Devils)has this to say about the start of the season:
"I look at each year in basketball as an integral part of a life. Every season is a journey. Every journey is a lifetime. Nobody can predict what's going to happen along the way. Some bad things may occur, some great things may come to pass. But whatever happens, like life, the journey should be enjoyed. . ."
Many of this year's boys' basketball players were a part of a very successful football season that ended a little sooner than most would have liked. I hope they can read the above statement and look back at their recently completed journey and think to themselves. . . "Man that was a blast!" and I hope they go into this basketball season with the goal of enjoying this new journey to its fullest.
The boys team goes into the season with high expectations but on the other side of the curtain there is another team that will be going on their own journey. . .the girls basketball team will not be ranked in state this year and will have to work extremely hard for their moments of victory. However, they will have the same opportunities to challenge themselves and "enjoy the journey" as the boys' team.
Both teams would be wise to follow the Coach K Philosophy:
•You should live the journey.
•You should live it right.
•You should live it together.
•You should live it shared.
•You should try to make one another better.
•You should get on one another if somebody's not doing their part.
•You should hug one another when they are.
•You should be disappointed in a loss.
•You should be exhilarated in a win.
•It's all about the journey.
•It should be honest and real.
And finally. . .and in my mind the most important bit of advice from Coach K. . .
It's not about winning games or what other people's expectations of you may be. Don't fall into the traps that so many people fall into. That's not why you should play. Instead, you should play for innocence.
What I believe Coach K means when he says you should "play for innocence" is that a team should play for the pure joy of the challenge of the journey. Be pure of heart and don't allow yourself to get bogged down by other people's expectations. In fact, be ignorant of what others think, say or believe about you because what really matters is what you believe in your collective heart. . . in the 'heart' of the team!
Play this season with the innocence of a elementary kid who dreams of doing what you are about to do! Have Fun. . .Let's Roll!
