An encyclopedia (OK, maybe that's a bit much) of tips on how to become the premier coach in all of the NBA (or anywhere):
Love what you do. Passion is the birth of greatness. Live and breathe the game you coach. Some days, that means saying goodnight to the night only when the next day has begun.
Know the game inside-and-out. Observe what's working with other franchises. Be the world's utmost student of the game. Stay abreast of the changing landscape of the game.
Know the stats for your players, including the plus-minus and true shooting percentage. Be able to recognize when players are in with weaker units, dragging down their plus-minus and other numbers.
Tune in to the vibes of your players; make good reads on when they are feeling confident and when they are ready to spark the team.
Stay positive. Not many things matter in coaching as much as this. You smile your way to success, but a frown brings only failure. The spirit you exude carries to the players. If you aren't upbeat, don't' expect them to be upbeat. If they "lack energy," it just might be because you lack energy.
Nothing grows unless it's fed. If they are to grow into great players, you must feed them the things that will bring them greatness.
Praise your players. The coach who praises small victories builds the confidence that brings great victories. A person must believe in himself. You don't become a great player unless you envision yourself as a great player. Focusing on their positives zeros in on their potential. To each of your players, be their greatest cheerleader.
Give them heroes to emulate and dreams to chase. When someone in the league explodes with a great game, share and savor it with your players. Get them to wishing they might do the same.
Instill in them a work ethic. Dreams don't become reality until work becomes a pleasure. Teach them to love working on their game, their bodies, and their talents.
Work on their weaknesses. Convince them that just because they're career 60 percent free throw shooters, doesn't mean thay can't become better.
Don't burden them with unreasonable expectations -- demands might be a better word. You want them to be the best they can be, but if expectatons run too high -- if you demand too much of them -- you'll only break their spirits. Teach them that being their best is all that you ask.
Don't teach "have to, but "want to." Instill in them the desire to win, but not the fear of failure.
Keep them looking for success even when they hit a row of defeat. Failure only sweatens tomorrow's success.
Esprit de corps. Lockerroom chemistry. Love of their fellow players. Almost as much as anything, the team that succeeds is the team whose players band together and bond. You'll pass the ball to the open man, the hot hand, more often if you aren't saying, "Hey, I don't want to give that person the chance to get all the credit." Unity is the meaning of team.
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