CHARACTERISTICS OF CHAMPIONS
LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, & Jason Kidd
Taken from Coach Mike Krzyzewski’s book the Gold Standard: Building a World-Class Team (notes provided by the winningest active coach in Indiana, Pat Rady - thanks Coach)
Lebron James
· Coach Krzyzewski asked Lebron James what he thought about future teammates Kobe Bryant & Jason Kidd.
o On Kobe, LeBron said
§ ‘Kobe prepares better than anyone, I want to learn from the way he works.”
o On Jason Kidd, LeBron said
§ “I really like J Kidd, I think he is the best passer in the game. He sees things and instantly reacts. I love to pass and I can see things too, but I want to learn to see things the way he sees them.”
· This is the 2009 NBA MVP wanting to learn from another player
· LeBron’s response to Coach K letting him know that the USA team would need LeBron to be one of its leaders.
o “Coach this is a huge time for USA Basketball. We need to win now. You can ask me to do anything, and I’ll do it. Anything you ask, coach, you can count on me.”
Kobe Bryant
· E-mail to Coach K concerning the upcoming Olympic games
o “Having players have a defensive DNA and desire goes without saying. I am ready to learn and excited to be coached by one of the best and looking forward to the this of a new challenge and the joy of a new kil.”
· Kobe asks Coach K for a favor
o “I want you to let me guard the best player on every team we face. And I promise that I will destroy him.”
o Extending the message he sent to Coach K and the team, Kobe elected to not shoot the ball in the first practice. (Keep in mind that this was the same player who scored 81 points in the previous NBA season)
Jason Kidd
o Coach K wanted to meet with Jason Kidd 30 minutes prior to the first team meeting
o Jason Kidd showed up on time and carrying a notepad
o Kidd said “It’s going to be an honor to play for you, Coach. And I’ll do anything you want me to do.”
o Jason Kidd to coach K
§ “I think we need to have an expectation of one another to be on time. It shows respect.”
§ “Champions are on time”
o When Coach K talked to Jason about his role on the team
§ “Coach, you can bring me off the bench if you want to. Remember, I will do whatever you need me to do.”
LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, & Jason Kidd
Taken from Coach Mike Krzyzewski’s book the Gold Standard: Building a World-Class Team (notes provided by the winningest active coach in Indiana, Pat Rady - thanks Coach)
Lebron James
· Coach Krzyzewski asked Lebron James what he thought about future teammates Kobe Bryant & Jason Kidd.
o On Kobe, LeBron said
§ ‘Kobe prepares better than anyone, I want to learn from the way he works.”
o On Jason Kidd, LeBron said
§ “I really like J Kidd, I think he is the best passer in the game. He sees things and instantly reacts. I love to pass and I can see things too, but I want to learn to see things the way he sees them.”
· This is the 2009 NBA MVP wanting to learn from another player
· LeBron’s response to Coach K letting him know that the USA team would need LeBron to be one of its leaders.
o “Coach this is a huge time for USA Basketball. We need to win now. You can ask me to do anything, and I’ll do it. Anything you ask, coach, you can count on me.”
Kobe Bryant
· E-mail to Coach K concerning the upcoming Olympic games
o “Having players have a defensive DNA and desire goes without saying. I am ready to learn and excited to be coached by one of the best and looking forward to the this of a new challenge and the joy of a new kil.”
· Kobe asks Coach K for a favor
o “I want you to let me guard the best player on every team we face. And I promise that I will destroy him.”
o Extending the message he sent to Coach K and the team, Kobe elected to not shoot the ball in the first practice. (Keep in mind that this was the same player who scored 81 points in the previous NBA season)
Jason Kidd
o Coach K wanted to meet with Jason Kidd 30 minutes prior to the first team meeting
o Jason Kidd showed up on time and carrying a notepad
o Kidd said “It’s going to be an honor to play for you, Coach. And I’ll do anything you want me to do.”
o Jason Kidd to coach K
§ “I think we need to have an expectation of one another to be on time. It shows respect.”
§ “Champions are on time”
o When Coach K talked to Jason about his role on the team
§ “Coach, you can bring me off the bench if you want to. Remember, I will do whatever you need me to do.”
