Dear Nate and Team

[xdude]

Dear Nate and Company,

We spend plenty of time talking about players and coaches on this board, and things are understandably pretty ugly right now. This team has had rough Februaries since Steele took over. So while addressing this thread to Nate primarily, it goes out to the whole team and staff.

We all know about being 'in the zone' where everything we try seems to work. We had a nice bit of it in the second half against Creighton a week ago when Steele had 'swagger' on the board at half time. Great except it's not that simple, as we've seen the last two (and several earlier) games. So let's try to find some clarity.

For seniors, with only 8 games left to the regular season (4 at home), it's awfully easy to get caught up in 'what's my legacy' or where will I play next year knowing it depends on that legacy. Such thoughts lend themselves to fear. Stop. Now is the only time that exists - quite clear on the bb court, suddenly forgotten when we're not in a game and girlfriends, schooling and personal dramas get in the way. Yet it remains true nonetheless. Now is total. The past is gone, tomorrow never comes. We literally exist only now, as now is the only point in time where Life, our creator, happens.

It's when we lock in to this moment that we find our greatest success. Because once we realize that the only time is now, if focuses our attention. If now is all, how do we want to play it? The decision always comes down to fear or love. Indecision, lack of focus, not attuning to your playing mates, taking stupid shots, thinking 'what if I don't make it" - all fear bullshit. And it stems from the focus on results, which we can impact, but only partially. Everyone has their intent, and the other team does not share yours.

The focus has to be on being your best and doing your best NOW, friggin NOW and being content with the results because you know you did/are doing your best. If it's a fail so be it. It's not a fail because your head is all screwed up about what happened to that beauty stroke you once knew so well.

We have all sabotaged ourselves on occasion for the same reason I describe as happening with Nate. The fab game of bb just makes it glaring.

And Nate, here's the biggie, knowing something of Now and this being the only place your intent operates. How do you want to feel during these last few weeks? Frustrated, disappointed, forlorn for your failures? Thats what fear teaches. Or how about friggin thrilled. Thrilled at what you've done, about the long life you have in front of you, and mostly grateful for what is - that's the love route.

Joe Burrow's confidence comes from his awareness, effort and intent. He's confident because he knows he's gifted but he works his butt off on strategies, assignments and the details and nuances that separate good from great. He's confident because he knows he's doing his very best, all the damn time. I suggest the same can work for you and this Musketeer team.

Two things to end: 1) No one's going to care in 100 years what this team did so screw all the drama. 2) This is not a mechanical universe, as we all were taught growing up. This is a living present, where with a quiet mind and warm heart we can experience the very Presence of Life.
cheers

[whopper]

this is what sports is about. Honestly you can't change your techniques now(although foul shooting is muscle memory) or rotations (much). You can change the attitude and effort. Anyone who has played at any level knows it is easy to "not look bad", dribble, handoff, flair, get back on D, don't be the reason you lose. Courvasier(sp) played like he had nothing to lose. I think these talented players(and they are all talented in big East) want to be the reason we WIN. A tipped pass, tap back of an offensive rebound, etc could make all the difference. Every second out there think "is there something else i could be doing or anticipating?" Great job in writing this and I can tell it is from the heart- you mayn not even have had to edit it. Scruggs has too much weight on his shoulders and they all need to take a little off. Good luck X. I had a tear in my eye reading this and a nice change from "fire Travis" and "this player sucks"..

[xudash]

A true pleasure reading these posts.

[xukeith]

Does this philosophy stem from the “the present is a present” ? Don’t worry about future or the past?

[MHettel]

I’m probably in the minority here, but my opinion is that the LAST thing this team needs is a little “feel good” speech.

Steele provides plenty of soft leadership. That’s actually the PROBLEM in my opinion. These guys are soft.

This team NEEDS a warrior mentality. This team needs to approach every minute of every game as is it we’re life and death on the line.

Mike Tyson won fights before they even started because he had rage in his eyes.

Soft

[xavierj]

Dear Nate and Company,

We spend plenty of time talking about players and coaches on this board, and things are understandably pretty ugly right now. This team has had rough Februaries since Steele took over. So while addressing this thread to Nate primarily, it goes out to the whole team and staff.

We all know about being 'in the zone' where everything we try seems to work. We had a nice bit of it in the second half against Creighton a week ago when Steele had 'swagger' on the board at half time. Great except it's not that simple, as we've seen the last two (and several earlier) games. So let's try to find some clarity.

For seniors, with only 8 games left to the regular season (4 at home), it's awfully easy to get caught up in 'what's my legacy' or where will I play next year knowing it depends on that legacy. Such thoughts lend themselves to fear. Stop. Now is the only time that exists - quite clear on the bb court, suddenly forgotten when we're not in a game and girlfriends, schooling and personal dramas get in the way. Yet it remains true nonetheless. Now is total. The past is gone, tomorrow never comes. We literally exist only now, as now is the only point in time where Life, our creator, happens.

It's when we lock in to this moment that we find our greatest success. Because once we realize that the only time is now, if focuses our attention. If now is all, how do we want to play it? The decision always comes down to fear or love. Indecision, lack of focus, not attuning to your playing mates, taking stupid shots, thinking 'what if I don't make it" - all fear bullshit. And it stems from the focus on results, which we can impact, but only partially. Everyone has their intent, and the other team does not share yours.

The focus has to be on being your best and doing your best NOW, friggin NOW and being content with the results because you know you did/are doing your best. If it's a fail so be it. It's not a fail because your head is all screwed up about what happened to that beauty stroke you once knew so well.

We have all sabotaged ourselves on occasion for the same reason I describe as happening with Nate. The fab game of bb just makes it glaring.

And Nate, here's the biggie, knowing something of Now and this being the only place your intent operates. How do you want to feel during these last few weeks? Frustrated, disappointed, forlorn for your failures? Thats what fear teaches. Or how about friggin thrilled. Thrilled at what you've done, about the long life you have in front of you, and mostly grateful for what is - that's the love route.

Joe Burrow's confidence comes from his awareness, effort and intent. He's confident because he knows he's gifted but he works his butt off on strategies, assignments and the details and nuances that separate good from great. He's confident because he knows he's doing his very best, all the damn time. I suggest the same can work for you and this Musketeer team.

Two things to end: 1) No one's going to care in 100 years what this team did so screw all the drama. 2) This is not a mechanical universe, as we all were taught growing up. This is a living present, where with a quiet mind and warm heart we can experience the very Presence of Life.
cheers

Yeah need some tough love, not soft love. Team needs fire and to play with fire in their eyes. Seems they are all just a bunch of nice kids. As TU said, they had gangsters in that locker room, not thugs, but tough guys on the court. That is what this team needs. Also it has not been tough February’s. Travis is now 13-8 in February games after yesterday.

[Masterofreality]

I’m probably in the minority here, but my opinion is that the LAST thing this team needs is a little “feel good” speech.

Steele provides plenty of soft leadership. That’s actually the PROBLEM in my opinion. These guys are soft.

This team NEEDS a warrior mentality. This team needs to approach every minute of every game as is it we’re life and death on the line.

Mike Tyson won fights before they even started because he had rage in his eyes.

Soft

Correct. No accountability

[xdude]

Correct. No accountability

MOR and MHettel, I wasn't suggesting soft, feel good, amorphous and mushy 'love' (wish is no more love than enabling behavior is).

I'm requesting that we learn this very simple and much ignored singular truth of our existence - the totality of Now. I further suggested that we focus, like Joe Burrow, on doing our very best - focus, attitude, attention to detail and nuance - the circumstance and results be damned. You do your best and let the chips fall where they may. What's soft about that? Oh, and choosing love over fear. Is that soft? Feels like wisdom to me. Not to mention happiness. C'mon. Do you call yourself MOR with reason?

So what is this 'accountability' you speak of? We all have fails, what is more accountable than effort, attitude, awareness of your game circumstance and attention to detail?

[xdude]

Thanks Whopper. Yes, a lot of vitriol at times. I haven't see these players quit on coach Steele, to his credit. There's just a glitch somewhere, like a trauma or PTSD we can't get wrapped around. I blame Villanova... :)

[whopper]

it is a little "Phil Jackson" -y but I believe it has a place. Nate and Zach now look like a missed shot is a death sentence, and even Hunter's error ( i wont insult) was with the best intentions (not giving it under the basket but certainly did not expect that only Depaul players would be there with a running start)-i think he feared the image of him carrying it out of bounds..I would have ). Maybe a good copy/bad cop would be in order but this type of training (a little late now but popular at IMG type academies) would not hurt

[IM4X]

You can change the attitude and effort. Anyone who has played at any level knows it is easy to "not look bad", dribble, handoff, flair, get back on D, don't be the reason you lose. Courvasier(sp) played like he had nothing to lose. I think these talented players(and they are all talented in big East) want to be the reason we WIN. A tipped pass, tap back of an offensive rebound, etc could make all the difference. Every second out there think "is there something else i could be doing or anticipating?

Great points Wooper. If this team played with 100% effort for 40 minutes (i.e. they always crashed the boards and fought for every rebound, threw only crisp passes, dove for every loose ball, contested every shot, moved swiftly to create space and get open, set good screens, tried to draw contact when shooting) they likely would have won at least 3 more games. And like you said - anticipate.. whether it’s that next passes while on defense or what your teammates are going to do when you have the ball on offense.

Then, if Steele can find plays that create a little more space on offense and that is accompanied with a little better ball movement… the team can get into a flow… create some rhythm which usually leads to easier passes and better shots… which leads to more made shots which builds greater confidence and chemistry and momentum and swagger.

It could all quickly turn into negative momentum, should those players become carelessness, tired and/or lazy- this is what happened in the DePaul game. Steele didn’t react until the damage was done.

This team absolutely has all of the tools to get into the dance and make a very deep run. Unfortunately, the tools are not being used properly right now. It is the job of the coach to help get those tools working properly and working together.

[Xuperman]

Steele quote- "Nate Johnson is the best shooter in the country....he just is".

That is the highest bar possible, and I wonder how it plays out in Nate's head. This guy is in a bad way. With roughly 8-10 games left in his career, he can't go out like this, can he?