Winning Requires More Than Talent

Talent doesn’t make you a winning basketball player…

Coaches want talented players. It’s simple. But those talented players need to fit in to a team. And your Core Values of Competitiveness, Resilience, Attitude, Coachability, etc. are going to either raise your value or… pic.twitter.com/AmuDUmg0EM

— Steve Dagostino (@DagsBasketball) April 30, 2024

Talent is necessary but not sufficient to succeed consistently and to become an elite player or team. Brad Stevens demands what he calls, "competitive character."  

Competitive character includes being a good teammate, playing "harder for longer," and resilience. Hard work is a skill. Toughness is a skill. Understanding winning actions is a skill. 

Teach players who are less skilled than yourself. Compete against tough, talented players at your level. Learn by competing against better players. 

Playing "better teams" doesn't mean rolling over or "showing your neck" in submission. Long-time Melrose fans know MVB has beaten "better teams" as the underdog. What helped the "Rocky" movies succeed was the 'never say die' spirit of Rocky Balboa. 

Lagniappe. Decisions define destiny. 

Lagniappe 2. Sport rewards athletic explosiveness. Every great MVB player has been an exceptional athlete.