Comprised of multiple blocks, John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success could be distilled into five main levels. The top level “Competitive Greatness” generally means success on the court, achieving one’s potential and living a positive life as a student, athlete and person. The top of the pyramid is supported by terms which equate to Relationships, Mindfulness, Fundamental Skills and Self-Confidence. At the 2011 Eastern Commerce Holiday Classic, great teams demonstrated these qualities in abundance. Some might say these are the basic criteria for success in any endeavour.
Great teams support each other. When someone hits the floor, a teammate picks them up. When a player subs out of the game, the entire bench stands and applauds their contributions. During foul shots, elite teams huddle up to ensure everyone is on the same page for the next play. Teams that demonstrate selflessness on offense in order to get the best shots are the ones who win as the tournament progresses.
Great teams are aware of the position of each teammate and opponent. Casual passes can be read and intercepted by an alert defender playing the passing lanes so expert passers utilize ball fakes and pass the ball to the spot the cutter will be, not where they are at the moment. Waiting to make a play is less efficient than acting as soon as the opportunity presents itself. For example, a ballhandler who drives and kicks to a shooter who was already open is selfish because they did not automatically move the ball to the highest percentage option. The bench is engaged and players who have been subbed out reflect on their performance.
Great teams are fundamentally sound, physically and mentally. The top starting lineups are fit enough to play the entire game if required. Guards are cautious not to turnover the vall with travelling violations, sloppy passes or bad decisions. Posts are balanced and can pass or score when they receive the ball on the block. Taking a charge to disqualify the opposing team’s top player requires deep commitment, solid footwork and a keen instinct to realize when the moment is right.
Lastly, great teams believe in themselves. A small deficit on the scoreboard is nothing so they remain clam and chip away at the lead with defense, instead of attempting to get it all back at once by scoring as much as possible. Confident players know that they will do well in the long-term and do not flee or freeze because of fear of failure; they fight and play even tougher.
Success occurs when the various levels merge together in a singular effort. Intense dive on the floor for a loose ball, rush to help each other up in order to dive again to tip a pass. Resolute teams refuse to point the finger at each other when they could be moving on to the next play. Tenacious teams beat their opponents into the floor before they let them reach the paint. Intense, resolute and tenacious teams frequently evolve into great ones.
For the average player who wants to become great, these behaviours are reasonable. All of the building blocks in Wooden’s pyramid are processes, not outcomes. By adopting some of the means mentioned above, a good team can achieve the end that they want, Competitive Greatness. To get something that one has never had, one must do something they have not done yet.