This blog is aptly named the X's and O's of Basketball, but any of you who have coached basketball know that the game is much more than just the tactical aspects and to be successful you need players that are willing to go all out. I definitely believe that some games can be won simply by the team that is willing to go out and work harder than their opponent.
The Utah Jazz certainly were the favorites at home against the Chicago Bulls, but the Jazz were not playing particularly well offensively. Basketball is a game of runs and the run that got them going to end the second quarter started off with a big-time hustle play by Mehmet Okur. Watch it how it looked live,
Those hustle plays. It's one of those things that you can't explain. One player hits the deck diving for the ball, the next thing you know, the other players on the team start responding with rebounds, blocks, steals and generally out-working the opponent.
That is why it is valuable to have one of those hustle players on your team. He or she may not be the most talented player, but the effort they bring is infectious, the rest of your players respond to it. I'm no psychologist, but I know for a fact that for whatever reason it happens. It's a snowball effect that gets your players motivated to reach maximum effort.
A great video from one of the most storied coaches in the history of basketball is Morgan Wootten's brand new DVD on his 20/20 hindsight. To discuss this and many more of your favorite basketball topics, head over to the X's and O's of Basketball Forum to talk with other coaches from around the world.
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