Sometimes, the toughest thing to do is get everybody pointed in the right direction or share the same vision. When you have the same group together for so long, I think it’s easier to understand when you have to reinvent yourself or make changes. That’s true in any walk of life – not just baseball. Experience is also the ultimate coping mechanism when it comes to crisis management. Brian Sabean, General Manager, San Francisco Giants
Determining Responsibility for Improvement
Last night’s Toronto Raptors – Sacramento Kings game proved very controversial as fans, coaches and players were disappointed by the loss and eager to designate an appropriate culprit to focus their frustration. Ultimately, the team aims to improve and while a loss can serve as a powerful motivator, they need to target their efforts appropriately. Discontent breeds disillusionment but dedication and determination lead to progress.
Alex Ferguson
This week, Sir Alex Ferguson, one of the most successful coaches in recent years, inhabiting the same rarefied air as other legends like Phil Jackson and Mike Krzyzewski , retired from his post at Manchester United. Ferguson had served as manager at Old Trafford for twenty-seven seasons and captured thirteen English league titles, two Champions League trophies and countless cups. Since 1986, other rivals have come and gone while United has remained at the top, providing an example that other coaches around the world can follow.
Peyton Manning and Leadership
In addition to improved passing statistics and a more efficient offense, Peyton Manning has contributed to the Denver Broncos with his leadership, making for a harder working, more professional and more focused team.
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Can 2:11 Define a Season?
Toronto led Los Angeles 88-84 with 2:11 left in Sunday’s game. Unfortunately, after the Lakers took timeout, the game took a turn for the worse for the Raptors, much like many other games this year. Consistent decision-making, toughness and teamwork is required to succeed throughout the season.
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Consistency
Consistency – over the course of a game, a season, a career – is one of the toughest obstacles faced by competitive athletes and teams. Over the course of an event or a meet, individuals may experience highs and lows; one poor race can dash one’s dreams of glory. In order to be consistent, different combination of players must maintain the same level of intensity and quality; diverse people must perform as one. Since it is so challenging to achieve, consistency is often associated with greatness. Dwane Casey keeps a 1,300 pound rock in the Toronto Raptors locker room, which …
Just Radiohead and the Raptors
Can’t get the stink offHe’s been hanging round for days This isn’t about outcomes; it never is. Sometimes Dwyane Wade goes off or you play to your potential and lose a tight contest to someone who is somewhat better. Whether any combination of players is successful has less to do with their record but much more about how they play the game. The problems that plague the Raptors are chronic and pervasive. They succeed when they stay focused, such as Sunday’s game vs. the Rockets, the previous week’s game vs. the Bulls, or the early season one-point loss to Phoenix. They …
Guarding Manu Ginobili
Manu Ginobili always seems to beat down the Toronto Raptors like they are a bat at the AT&T Center in San Antonio. Whether it is off the dribble or from outside the arc, he seems to perform as well in the first quarter as he does at the end of the game. Although he plays on a roster of superstars, he seems to excel even more when he must carry the Spurs’ load by himself. The Argentine proves to be a model all aspiring players should wish to emulate and a nightmare for defenders across the Association. Fundamentals: When open, …
Star Trek Leadership, Part I: Humans and Klingons
When Commander Riker volunteered to serve aboard the Klingon vessel “Pagh”, he encountered several challenges as he adapted to the new environment. Star Trek frequently used a utopian vision of the future to show how humans can better interact the episode “A Matter of Honor” is no exception. As a participant in the Officer Exchange Program, William Riker enters a new culture and must judge when he must adapt and when he must stand for his convictions, as a Benzite named Mendon does likewise as the Enterprise’s science officer. At first, he displays a tough exterior to his new shipmates …
French Open 2009
The triumph of Roger Federer’s win is not in the compilation of fourteen Grand Slam titles but his recovery from adversity and the adjustments and evolutions that he has made to his game. Rafael Nadal has displayed phenomenal athleticism and power during his six Grand Slam wins but he has never exhibited the consistency shown by Federer in three areas: Consistency: Federer has always played the entire year and wins during each season. Like Tiger Woods – another blue chip brand name athlete – he wins about half the time. Federer has made every Grand Slam semi-final for the past …
Coach People, Not Players
Joe Gibbs retired for a second time Tuesday, six weeks after an ignorant timeout decision costing a November game in Buffalo brought critics out of the woodwork only to be silenced by Washington’s determined four-game winning streak to make the playoffs. Gibbs will be remembered for controlling the line of scrimmage with brutal line play, amassing yards and points with innovative offensive sets, and making the most of each player’s talents. The most recent stint with the Redskins proved that Gibbs could connect with a new generation of players, despite conventional wisdom purporting that such team building was irrelevant in …
A Week Later
Mother Teresa won Ontario’s 4A Senior Boys Basketball title. Last week, they lost their conference title to Father Henry Carr and it seemed to be like they may have trouble handling a team with a lot of size. Nevertheless, Teresa possibly had the two best players in the field – Justin Dennis (Justin has been one of my favourite players to watch during the past few years) and Papa Oppong – and they excelled in the final rounds. Many games were close, especially a 31-30 round of sixteen game against Toronto Northern. Northern starts a 6-8 centre, Andrew Pennycook, who …