A chance to show off

One reason that coaching basketball is such a challenge is that, perhaps more than any other major sport, basketball lends itself to show-boating. Players get a chance to show off, and what young person can resist that opportunity. So, coaches have two courses: one is to go with the players' inclinations and loosen the reins and hope to blow away the opposition, and the other is to keep the reins tight and teach the players discipline, self-control and teamwork instead of seeking to call attention to themselves. Since I think the latter attitude is the right one for life, I also think that is the best course for coaches.