Hard Work

Hard work is something I can definitely relate to. When I saw that Roy Williams the men’s basketball at University of North Carolina had a book called Hard Work, I had to get it, I am a big fan of Dean Smith and his pupil Roy Williams. I remember talking to Michael Jordan my first year with the Bulls I had complemented him on his effort and execution in a footwork drill we were doing, the first words out of his mouth were that Coach Williams and Coach Smith had emphasized that aspect of his movement skills. That really got my interest, he did not call them Dean or Roy they were Coach Williams and Coach Smith. Since then I have tried to read anything that would give me insights into their program. This is a great coaching book! If you are coach or aspire to be a coach I think you must read this book along with Dean Smith’s book A Coaches Life. I could not put it down; I read 206 pages last night, going to read the last 50 pages as soon as I finish this post before our playoff game starts this afternoon. This guy has had to earn everything he achieved, nothing in life or sport came easy for him. He has not forgotten his roots and the people who helped him. He is on my list of people I would like to meet sometime. Here is a quote from the book, simple yet elegant: “My philosophy is that basketball is the simplest game in the world – if you can get five guys moving in the same direction for a common goal. Coaching is all about me getting my five guys to do what I want them to do better than you can get your five guys to do what you want them to do. If you have one guys looking out for himself, you’re in big trouble. If you have more than one you have no chance.” Another revealing quote that reminds of the John Wooden philosophy: “We always do what we want to do, not what the other team wants us to do.” For Coach Williams and for me it all comes down to hard work that is a constant! Other may have more talent, but if you work hard you give yourself a chance.