“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.” – John Wooden Coaches and teachers concern themselves with values education, a subject as integral to the construction of elite teams as defensive fundamentals or offensive skill. No good team has progressed to the excellent level and maintained that greatness over time without a core of solid values. Frankly, the current generation of student-athletes shares a different perspective from their predecessors and this is neither good nor bad. It means that what used …
The Tillman Story
Another work which chronicles the brutality of war, The Tillman Story is incredibly disappointing. Not because the film is of dubious quality – the documentary is capable and competent – but because many leaders lied and let down the public who they were supposed to serve. Pat Tillman was a safety who played for the Arizona Cardinals before he decided to leave millions on the table and enlist in the Army Rangers. Tillman never articulated the reasons behind his decision and expressed a desire to be treated like any other soldier. Both wishes were ignored after he was killed in …
Dynasty’s End
Celtic Pride – the character, concentration, and commitment – which defined the Boston’s teams when Red Auerbach proved to be integral to the two championships under Player-Coach Bill Russell. Dynasty’s End chronicles the final title in 1968-69 before the team ceded the spotlight to the squads of the 1970s. When Auerbach was the coach from 1950 to 1966, the Celtics were the most talented team in the Association. Under Russell, the team often finished second or third in its own conference and needed to win multiple tough playoff series. Wilt Chamberlain led his teams (Philadephia and Los Angeles) to better …
The Bicycle Thief
When Antonio Ricci’s bicycle is stolen, jeopardizing his employment posting bills, his subsequent search forces him to realize that he is not only seeking the actual vehicle and the wealth that it will bring him and his family but also struggling to follow his morals and maintain his integrity. Ricci had been given a lucky break, a well-paying job that could help his family escape their destitute and desultory existence but his joy is curtailed when the bicycle that he needs to do his job is stolen. The next day, he crosses the city with his son Bruno, encountering a …