{"id":293,"date":"2006-08-30T05:19:49","date_gmt":"2006-08-30T10:19:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ocularfusion.net\/?p=293"},"modified":"2022-01-02T07:39:27","modified_gmt":"2022-01-02T12:39:27","slug":"beyond-the-bling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ocularfusion.net\/?p=293","title":{"rendered":"Beyond the Bling"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"p1_wadehinrich.jpg\"In 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.<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

So what’s different this time around? Two words: Coach K.<\/a> 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.<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

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<\/a>, who was blinded by a suicide bomber in Iraq, to come speak to his players at camp. Here is the video.<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

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<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

(Hat tip to LTC Hal, Army eye doctor extraordinaire, for the video)<\/p>\n

UPDATE 8\/31@7:00AM <\/strong><\/p>\n

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

\n<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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