there would be times when we disagreed but there would never be times when we had to be disagreeable. - John Wooden

I believe in the basics: attention to, and perfection of, tiny details that might be commonly overlooked. They may seem trivial, perhaps even laughable to those who don’t understand, but they aren’t. They are fundamental to your progress in basketball, business, and life. They are the difference between champions and near champions.

For example, at the first squad meeting each season, held two weeks before our first actual practice, I personally demonstrated how I wanted players to put on their socks each and every time: Carefully roll the socks down over the toes, ball of the foot, arch and around the heel, then pull the sock up snug so there will be no wrinkles of any kind.

Calvin Coolidge observed, “No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave.

Don’t lie, don’t cheat, don’t steal; never whine, never complain, never make excuses.