Beyond the Bling

p1_wadehinrich.jpgIn one of the quieter sports stories of the summer, the U.S. Mens basketball team has been marching steadily forward in the FIBA World Championships in Sapporo, Japan. There was a time when U.S. teams took World Championship and Olympic gold medals for granted. But in recent years, a new generation of international basketball players has humbled American hoopsters, resulting in an embarrassing 6th place finish in the last World Championships and a disappointing bronze in the 2004 Olympics in Athens.

So what’s different this time around? Two words: Coach K. Duke Head Coach and master motivator Mike Krzyzewski took over the reigns of the National Team last year and immediately went to what USA Today appropriately called Plan B–a true team. Out is the old cocky attitude of “we’re the best, just show up and play.” In are the concepts of team instead of individual stardom, smothering defense over lazing loping down the floor following a long distance trey or rim-rattling dunk. There’s still plenty of offense, but the new-found defensive intensity has resulted in mostly wide-margin U.S. victories.

Not only does Coach K have three NCAA championships to his credit, but he’s also a West Point grad and former Army captain, so he knows a thing or two about leadership and motivation. Earlier this summer, he invited Army Capt. Scott Smiley, who was blinded by a suicide bomber in Iraq, to come speak to his players at camp. Here is the video. Pay special attention to Duane Wade when he starts to tear up as he hears then Lt. Smiley’s story, takes the court and works like mad to impress his guest and then expresses his gratitude to him for being such an inspirational role model.

Now before some of you dismiss this as so much patriotic hooey, consider for a moment what Coach K is doing here. He’s basically inviting his players to transcend the surly bonds of self, to get beyond the bling and self-promotion and instead to sacrifice and work together for a higher cause–their team and country. By allowing his players an opportunity to witness true “selfless service,” he knows that they will identify with Captain Smiley and also aspire to greater things than mere materialism and fleeting fame. As always, he is the master teacher, offering lessons for both the court and for life.

When the U.S. team takes the court against the Dirk Nowitzki-led German squad in the quarterfinals today, expect a supreme effort from Wade and his teammates. After all, they are playing for more than themselves–they play for country and they play for Scott.

(Hat tip to LTC Hal, Army eye doctor extraordinaire, for the video)

UPDATE 8/31@7:00AM

Team USA over Germany 85-65 despite poor outside shooting (can you say DEE-FENCE?). Next up–Greece in Friday’s semifinal. Go red, white and blue!

10 Comments

  1. Brady

    Thanks for the link and the post. But, in some ways, don’t you think it’s not quite kosher to use this man’s sacrifice to help team USA win more basketball games? I guess Scott Smiley has to make the call on that. Anyway…

  2. Mike the Eyeguy

    That’s an interesting take, Brady. Coach K has maintained and nurtured his Army contacts throughout the years (he has a son-in-law in Iraq), and it’s not the first time he’s called upon these types of examplars in teaching his players.

    Again, believe it or not, I think in Coack K’s mind it’s about more than winning games and it always has been. As for Capt Smiley, at age 25 and newly blind, he is most certainly stuggling to make sense of the past year and to discern a path for his future. If he sees in these efforts a measure of redemption and meaning, who are we to second guess him?

  3. Brady

    Sure, I’m all for Scott Smiley and respect his decision. No problem there…

  4. GREG

    I saw the end of the game this morning. USA by 20, I think. Greece is up next, then the winner of Spain v Argentina. I’ve been meaning to write something about this, but I never can seem to catch the games on TV. I’ve only seen about 1 qtr’s worth of action so far.

    However, I do know that Friday’s game will be on ESPN2 at 5:30 AM (central) so I’m going try to catch it then.

  5. Mike the Eyeguy

    Greg–

    Thanks for the update and upcoming game info. I’ve seen bits and pieces of games and they’ve been quite impressive–not your typical NBA All Star team.

    Is that all from you? No comment on Coach K’s “tactics?” 🙂

  6. Mike the Eyeguy

    Brady–

    That’s cool. And it’s cool to disagree with Coach’s methods–it makes things interesting.

  7. Hal

    Nice post.

    Now that I’ve served over 20 years, I hope to be promoted to Ex-Army eye doctor soon.

  8. Mike the Eyeguy

    Thanks, Hal. And thanks again for the video link.

    I just talked to one of your peers the other night who just got back from Iraq (he was part of the “clean up” medical crew at Abu Ghraib). They’re still not letting him resign his commission despite having paid back his O-school and spent time in Korea and Kosovo as well.

    I hope you have better luck!

  9. GREG

    well, so much for the gold…

  10. Mike the Eyeguy

    Yeah, I heard–most unfortunate.

    Still, there was a renewed spirit this time around that was definitely missing in Athens. Coack K and crew will learn and adjust and be there in the thick of things in the ’08 games.

    I hope… 🙂

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