Winning the Madness

Just enjoyed a full four days of the 2011 version of Division 1 March Madness. Great games for sure. And fabulous finishes, at least from a fan's perspective. Oh, the feeling of a winning end of a game-ending play ... or, yuck, the losing end of a play gone bad. The closing seconds of many games today, especially the close ones where plays were made for the best -- or not-made for the worst -- got me thinking: better offense or better defense?

(explorations and explanations utilize game box scores and kenpom.com for statistical references)

Sunday's examples:

1) With 5 seconds in the game, Washington was down just a point as it attempted to inbound the ball on its own baseline; however the pass was deflected and the ball stolen by North Carolina. UNC went on to sink two free throws and win by 3. The Huskies never got a great shot off because of the difficulty it had with the inbounds play.

FACTORS: UNC is ranked 8th in defensive efficiency. UW is ranked 9th in offensive efficiency but had 13 total turnovers, only attempted 7 free throws (made all 7), and shot a lower FG% than the Tar Heels (45.8% to 47%). Carolina shot 78% from the stripe but went to the line 23 times.

PRESSURE COOKER: Washington never got a great shot attempt in the end and had trouble scoring in its half court offense throughout, while Carolina did its thing on O and stepped up on D = defense created offense.

2) After being down 15 points midway through the second half, Michigan roared back to challenge Duke. Hardaway, Jr. scored 7 straight to bring the Wolverines to within 1 point with 1:18 left. A Blue Devils offensive rebound off a missed jumper led to an Irving jumper off the glass. Morris scored for Michigan then had to foul Smith with 9 ticks remaining. Smith made the first but missed the second. Morris then missed a running floater in the paint as time expired.

FACTORS: Duke's offensive efficiency is ranked 4th while its defensive efficiency is 3rd. Michigan's OE is 29th. DE is 33rd. Duke grabbed 9 offensive rebounds to Michigan's 4. Duke shot 72% from the free throw line while Michigan shot nearly 91 percent - but the Blue Devils went 25 times compared to 11.

PRESSURE COOKER: Both teams scored to keep it tight, then Duke missed free throw to pave a 3-point victory while Michigan missed good shot in lane -- non-contested -- to send it to OT = better offense sealed outcome, defense set the tone (Duke's perimeter D from the outset clamped down on Michigan's perimeter-minded attack ... the defensive tone was set but who was going to find openings?).

3) After a series of offensive boards and a made free throw by Williams with 2:01 left, Arizona was tied with Texas at 67 a piece. Brown hit a jumper for the Longhorns with 1:07 remaining and then prevented the Wildcats from scoring for another minute. Texas had possession on the baseline after a timeout, up 69-67. All the Longhorns had to do was inbound and take care of the ball, but they were called for 5 seconds. Arizona inbounded and found Williams off a pick and roll, he scored off a strong take and got fouled in the process. He made his free throw. Texas got a final layup off but it missed.

FACTORS: Arizona is ranked 18th in offensive efficiency, 10th in effective field goal percentage. Texas is 21st in OE and 4th in DE -- with a ranking of 5 on defensive eFG%. Zona shot 8 of 14 from 3-point range (57.1%) and had 2 more offensive boards than Texas.

PRESSURE COOKER: Wildcat defense stopped Longhorn inbounds play -> big time; Wildcat offense scored on Longhorn defense = defense allowed offense to be created.

4) With the scored knotted at 59 each, Syracuse had control on its own sideline but a miscue with its inbounds pass gave the ball away. Marquette regained possession and made the most of it by nailing a 3-pointer with 27 seconds left. The 'Cuse missed a 3 and Marquette sealed the game with four free throws.

FACTORS: Syracuse (no. 3 seed), statistically, is a better team, but on this night 11th seeded Marquette made 19 of 23 free throws (compared to 5 of 7 from the Orange). The Golden Eagles grabbed 11 O-boards to the Orange's 4. Syracuse had 18 turnovers. Marquette beat Syracuse earlier this season, too.

PRESSURE COOKER: Marquette got after it and created opportunities with rebounds and steals. Syracuse shot 55.3% from the field but other than that, it lost in every other offensive category = defense created offense ... and offense created offense for Marquette.

It's a hodgepodge of plays and stats and ranks. What is influential is how the climactic plays in three games, the ones that swayed the outcomes, came from suffocating defense that prevented great offense. UNC's deflection and steal. Arizona's forced 5-second count. Marquette's coerced backcourt violation. What is striking is all of these key turnovers that led to game-sealing points came from inbounds plays.

So, who from these winners has the best chance to win the whole tournament?

If data from the last six years is any indication, then none of them. Not Duke, North Carolina, Arizona or Marquette.

All signs point to THE Ohio State University. OSU is No. 1 in offensive efficiency. It has only lost two games this year, both in conference, and destroyed its two tourney opponents. The Buckeyes are No. 2 in eFG% and No. 7 in turnover percentage. Defensively, they are No. 6 in defensive efficiency and ranked No. 1 in opponent free throw rate. All of this means good luck stopping OSU and good luck scoring on them. Even attempting a foul shot is difficult.

Wisconsin is a slim possibility because of its No. 2 OE and No. 1 TO%.

Duke has an OE at No. 4 and a DE at No. 3.

San Diego State is No. 2 in DE and No. 7 in opponent eFG%.

The overall deciding factor: of the last six D1 NCAA champions, four of them finished the season ranked No. 1 in offensive efficiency: Duke (2010), UNC (2009), Florida (2007), and UNC (2005).

The other two years of the previous six? The champion was 2nd in offensive efficiency: Kansas was No. 2 in in 2008; Florida was No. 2 in 2006.

Additionally, the 2008 Jayhawks, though not first in OE, were No. 1 in defensive efficiency and No. 5 in eFG%.

The 2006 Gators were No. 5 in defensive efficiency and No. 2 in eFG%.

The last seven NCAA winners finished with an overall rating -- offense and defense factors combined -- of at least No. 2 (FIVE were No. 1 overall).

Lesson: if you are not No. 1 in offensive efficiency, then you better be No. 2. And if you happen to be No. 2, you better have a ranking of at least 5 in another significant category to raise the overall stat. Otherwise, you'll lose ... if you are lucky enough to get to the championship. Of the runners-up in those six years, none had a ranking of 2 in either offensive or defensive efficiency. Plenty of 3's and 4's though.

Taking 2004 and 2003 champs into consideration, it looks like the second half of the decade has gone to the teams at the very top of the rating system. Connecticut won in 2004 with an OE ranking of 4, a DE of 5, and an OBoard% of 3 ... so, three categories were a No. 5 ranking or better but none at Nos. 1 or 2.

Prior to that, Syracuse, who was No. 7 overall in kenpom.com rank, won in 2003 with OE at 11 and DE at 19. But the Orange had Carmelo Anthony -- and he must be considered an outlier ...

Program Refreshers

It has been a hectic, yet exciting time for me in this unprecedented move to Pasadena. I've been constantly thinking about the basketball program and the vision -- what to do, what not to do, what to expect, what not to expect.

From a psychological standpoint, a newly tapped energy is injected into an athletics team when a new staff takes over. People -- students, faculty, staff, administration -- are pumped. Questions arise everyday as university community members want to know about the upcoming season, the philosophy of the team, the outlook for the future. It's quite an experience -- especially considering I'm walking around a campus that is home to an Einstein getaway and 16 Nobel Prize Winners in science and medicine!

During the past week, I've jumped into every phase of the program, from relationship building to recruitment to alumni relations. Brief moments in the otherwise exhilarating activities have allowed me to explore what other coaches are doing (or could be doing) with their programs as they prepare for their first 2008-09 tip-off:

Thanks to HoopsCoach, we know what the Boston Celtics are talking about: discipline.

The Cross Over Movement brings up the question: do traditional training methods mean they have to last forever?

In the Coach's Network, when is the tough approach the one to utilize?

Musselman explains what 10 team are emphasizing -- everything from running to moving the ball to playing defense to creating chemistry.

Ah ha -- statistical analysis -- to use or not to use?

Positivity is great. Negativity not so great. Perhaps the priority is to be just plain real.

It's best not to reinvest, from a mental processing point of view -- otherwise, one chokes. (see previous post on pushing fast forward on the moment).

They are Human, Right?

Sunday, I woke up to Randy Newman's "Back On My Feet Again" as I sat down to a delicious breakfast, and proceeded to read about the pressures that athletes face. Are we not surprised that professional ball players are actually human? That they, too, encounter everyday anxieties and feel unwanted stress on their shoulders? I suppose that society does not care; fans do not want to hear it. Why? Because the athletes are making millions of dollars, hence the "deal with it" message screaming from the public.

Problem is, there is a difference between a million dollar athlete and his million dollar mind. Often, the former becomes history, overtaken by the expectations created by the latter. The result is a million dollar splatter.

Once an athlete makes it to the big leagues or the professional ranks, is he not infallible? Just ask Barry Zito or Vince Young. Zito was the best pitcher in baseball, a former Cy Young winner with the curve of all curves and a free-loving lifestyle that was magnetic to friends and females. And then, coupled with the highest paying pitching contract in history, his boyish, unhittable pitching persona was gone -- along with his captivating personality. Expectations were too heavy to lift, social networks broke and friends dropped like flies. Mental caused maladjustments to the physical. Confidence became cursed. Freedom became flawed.

From "The Mystery of Barry Zito" (NYT):

According to [Giants' pitching coach Dave] Righetti, the mystery was that Zito, inexplicably and without suffering injury, had lost 5 miles per hour off his already modest 89-m.p.h. fastball and, also inexplicably, had lost control of his devastating curveball. “It’s not physical,” Righetti said, sitting in the visitors’ dugout before a game against the Cleveland Indians in late June. “I mean, he’s not injured. It’s a matter of confidence.”

In truth, Zito’s pitching problems are probably the result of both physical and mental problems. “He had speeded up his motion,” Righetti said, “which caused him to overstride.” Zito’s arm has been trailing his lunging body a split second too late. This causes him to lose speed off his fastball and to fling his curveball high, rather than snapping it low across the plate. He lost control of his curve, Righetti said, “and batters weren’t swinging at it. Then he stopped throwing as many curves as he used to.” Righetti said the funny thing was, when Zito threw on the sidelines in warm-up sessions, “everything was locked in. But the game speeded him up. You know, this is a tough game to be on top for years.” He meant that the greatest athletes, who have 20-year careers of peaks and valleys, have the ability to will themselves out of occasional slumps.

“I’ve made mechanical adjustments lately,” Zito said during our breakfast in late June. “My curve and fastball are better now. But your body’s gonna do what your mind lets it do. You have to surrender to the pitch. You try to control the process, not the result. A New Age guy told me that the last thought you have before you let the ball go — I hope the batter doesn’t hit it — determines where it goes. All the preparation, off-season work, can be done in by that last thought.”

Meanwhile, Young lost his mantra (or, followed through on it) -- one that he delivered after Donovan McNabb's controversial comments about the lofty pressure of black quarterbacks compared to their white counterparts. Young explained his belief in doing something else: if a player can't handle playing the position, then get out.

Well, he suddenly did that himself, to the point of questionable return. He became so emotionally unstable, a search and rescue suicide watch was in effect. Rhoden's review recommends not therapy, as Warren Moon counts on now, but a history lesson for the most challenging position in organized sport.

The pressure mounts at all levels. The good thing about the youth aspect, though, is summarized in what Todd Balf writes. When the competition is over, when the tryouts are done, the athlete returns to his true self, where he can act his age.

Says Balf, a 12-year-old can cuddle up and cry when he doesn't reach his goal (as long as his parents are supportive and not obsessed with early specialization and excessive competitiveness). A 30-year-old pro, it seems, has nowhere to go...maybe music is the answer.

Get me back on my feet again,
Back on my feet again.
Open the door and set me free,
Get me back on my feet again.

The Psychological Ingredients of a Coach

The Crossover Movement recently reviewed research by the United States Olympic Committee that centered around coaching. Interestingly, sport psychology was found to be the fourth most important area in "understanding body of knowledge", preceded by skills, strategies, and teaching. Meanwhile, twenty insights signify coaches' emphasis on topics in sport psychology (see below, with corresponding sport psych topics in blue).

It seems, despite what coaches are trained in, or what the results show as most important, the mental game and the psychology of performance are underestimated -- yet highly significant, thus highlighted throughout. Perhaps, at the very least, sport psychology needs to be considered a major component of the "skill" category.

1. Ability to instill belief/trust/confidence in athletes - self-efficacy
2. Big Vision, balanced by ability to set and adjust goals - goal setting and extrinsic motivation
3. Care about others more than self - cohesion
4. Perseverance and a sense of humor - personality
5. Attention to skills development of athletes; tailored to athlete needs - attentional zones
6. Precise training techniques and coaching on a daily basis - attentional zones and flow
7. Ability to filter - attentional zones
8. Problem solving orientation - decision making
9. Ability to observe without judgment - perspective taking
10. Desire to improve through knowledge - intrinsic motivation
11. Quality Decision makers under pressure - decision making and anxiety regulation
12. High level of integrity and fairness - character
13. Ability to multi-task with equal amounts of high energy - attentional zones
14. Knowledgeable and with an ability to transfer knowledge simplistically - effective communication
15. Focused on the process - attentional zones and flow
16. Creative, open minded to new ideas and approaches - personality and intrinsic motivation
17. Having thick skin - resiliency, anxiety regulation, and mental toughness
18. Flexible, but decisive - leadership ability and personality
19. Excellent instructional skills, ability to deliver messages - effective leadership and communication
20. Understands critical zone training - information processing and flow
    

Cerebral Matter

Each week, “Cerebral Matter” highlights articles, anecdotes, and analyses related to the psychological aspects of performance.


Head Games in auto racing:

The battle for the IndyCar championship is won on the course, but Helio Castroneves is trying to influence the outcome off the track.

Castroneves, who enters Sunday's Detroit Indy Grand Prix on Belle Isle 43 points behind driver points-leader Scott Dixon, has refined his strategy to include mind games with the New Zealander.

"I'm trying to do everything I can," said Castroneves, who will start on the front row with Dixon after turning in the second-fastest qualifying lap Saturday of 102.412 mph. "We're trying to get into his head."

Sarah Palin is prepared to deal with pressure. After all, she was a sportscaster and still is a competitor.


Ian Poulter is fed up and sick of dealing with distractions:

"It's just so mentally draining to be in this position, to listen and read and to get all the b.s all week. It's seriously, seriously mentally draining."...

...“They are the people I feel really sorry for,” he said. “They are going to be feeling pressure as it is and you don't want to be standing over a three-footer with so much doubt in your mind, not knowing if the ball is going to run straight.”

Music is great to listen to on many levels. It can change a person's mood instantly – one of the reason athletes use it to mentally prepare for competition. But, did you know listening to those tunes can actually help one heal?


Modeling is how we learn. Young athletes emulate veterans in various ways. Players even choose their numbers based on who they love as kids:

“When I was in high school, I used to watch basketball and the Chicago Bulls,” Aceves said this morning. “Dennis Rodman was one of the best players at that time. The way he played, he played a lot mentally. He made the other players get frustrated.”

But you’re not nuts, right, Alfredo?

“But I’m not nuts,” Aceves said, laughing.

Is your favorite coach really that valuable?


Can Nadal keep up his torrid mental pace?

“I think I help a little bit, him to play to this level,” Nadal said. “He played well today, but I didn’t play with normal intensity. I play a little bit less intensity than last few months for sure. Probably I’m a little bit tired more than usually.”…

…Despite flying from the United States to Beijing and back in the last two weeks, Nadal said jet lag was not as much a problem as mental fatigue from a grueling season.

Is an addiction to crossword puzzles healthy? What is happening in your mind gym?


Maybe it’s ok to be bored…at least some of the time:

In a recent paper in The Cambridge Journal of Education, Teresa Belton and Esther Priyadharshini of East Anglia University in England reviewed decades of research and theory on boredom, and concluded that it’s time that boredom “be recognized as a legitimate human emotion that can be central to learning and creativity.”

Is Yao Broken?

Earlier, I wrote about "The Psychological Weight of a Nation" and the intense strategies China uses to become competitive. Now that the Olympics are complete, do there exist post-game resources for competitors? Are measures being implemented to support the athletes who trained for years, even their entire lives, for the spectacle in Beijing?

I particularly wonder about the athletes who "failed" in their country's opinion. When one works so hard, especially because of external pressures, and then does not succeed, he or she is bound to internalize and even exaggerate or distort the thoughts and feelings that accompany the outcome. Every comment or emotion can become magnified, and if there is not a support system in place, the result may be detrimental to one's psyche.

Yao Ming spoke of his disappointment and despondency:

“After (the) Lithuania game, I come back to my room and I feel my energy just go away,” Yao said. “My body is empty. I have a couple minutes lying on the bed when I cannot even move. Not because I’m tired, but because mentally I feel really, really sad. These games I’ve prepared for almost my whole life and now they’re over.”

Have you ever experienced so much stimulation from an event that you find yourself "crashing" after it ended? Yao seems to be in a similar situation, only multiplied by numbers beyond most of our conceptions. Only his peers can relate. He was molded and groomed for his sport, the most monumental of unwritten promises to his homeland. And now the air is deflated from the once tireless tires, despair drifting through the consummate model of strength and courage. Yao assimilated the words and dreams of a billion and now has to digest and deal with the consequences.

Is it conceivable that all of the counselors, psychologists, and trainers who were hired to prepare the athletes for competition are now concentrated on the "cool down" segment? Are professional helpers working with individuals who struggled in the arenas and on the fields so they don't struggle for the rest of their lives? For many who did not succeed as they hoped, including Yao, it's time to resurrect the foundation and harness the resiliency that is ever so important in not only athletics, but life.

Nobody wants to see a drooping giant. Especially in Houston.

Striding Toward Mainstream

One of the reasons the Games are so captivating is that the world is able to view all sorts of athletics, 24/7, from the traditional swimming and gymnastics events to the rising basketball popularity to the track and field competitions to the fascinating table tennis and beach volleyball matches.

Usain Bolt has sprinted and danced into people’s hearts and living rooms faster than his world-record breaking runs. His success is substantial for his country and his sport. He has been referred to as a “freak of nature”, as an “anomaly”, and a “wonder”. One may question his mental makeup since he appears blinded by youth, a class clown who seems to want nothing more than to play around with his peers only minutes before he takes his mark. I’ve heard people question his pre-run routine. “Why is he not focusing?” “How can he be so loose?” “Is he just cocky?”

I’d argue that he is anxious to get started; he just releases his energy in another way. He makes himself feel welcome, wanted, and psyched to get started. It must be difficult to keep all of that excitable energy inside oneself in front of 91,000 screaming fans. Bolt often states he just wants to have fun and enjoy himself -- and I'm sure his words help ease his nerves.

Here is a shout out to those events everyone else does not necessarily care about. For example, imagine the pressure of an Olympic skeet shooter. He or she must be still, quiet the mind, utilize a steady finger, and fire at a small target after years of training. Props to the participants who love what they do and become the best in the world.

Rebecca Romero certainly knows about working toward perfection -- in two different Olympic sports. She already won a silver in rowing four years ago, a sport that is mentally and physically grueling.

Romero then set her sights on Beijing, but in cycling -- and saw all of her hard work pay off.

Here is a fitting excerpt about the mental game in rowing from the Otago Daily Times:

Rowing New Zealand high performance manager Andrew Matheson said every crew would prepare in their own way.

He believed the mental game is what sets an Olympics apart from the annual world championships, where New Zealand have been a dominant force in all three stagings since Athens.

"It's a small but significant difference. A lot of it comes down to the mind, handling the pressure," Matheson said.

Kudos to the athletes who do not necessarily get as much attention as Phelps or Nastia or Bolt. They are all awe inspiring, from a physical and mental perspective, and as deserving as any to be thrown into the mainstream.

Pushing Fast Forward on the Moment

After Lolo Jones collected herself from the Beijing Olympic track, just minutes after collapsing to her knees and replaying the heartbreaking trip-up that cost her the gold medal in the 100m hurdle final, she told NBC this:

"I felt the gold around me...but if you can't finish the race, you don't deserve to be the champion."

Her honesty shows her character. The fleeting thought demonstrates her demise.

What happened? She was in the lead, her face exemplifying the intensity and focus that made her one of the favorites. Just the day before, she sent a message of her own that she was out to win and certainly could. But when she fired over (and into) the ninth hurdle, a look of agony, disbelief, and astonishment came over her as she attempted to make up for the ever precious second of lost ground. She was beaten. And her mind did it. It got the best of her because she already "felt the gold" around her.

More specifically, Jones’ mind jumped out in front of her. Up until that point in the race, she was on autopilot. Her body was doing what it was trained to do – sprint and leap. She was in the "no-think" phase. Yet, by her post-race comments, it can be interpreted that she, albeit only for a split second, fast forwarded to a another image. She envisioned the outcome, the medal draped around her neck.

The predictive imagery may have cost her the win (it even prevented her from medaling at all). As soon as she thought of another scene, one that entailed a different set of movements, she became distracted. Her mind-body connection that was operating so smoothly became slightly disrupted. She was moving so fast, that what appeared to be the most inconsequential of reactions, actually infiltrated her momentary action. The thought, the image, ruined her rhythm and cost her the race.

Some may say she choked. Contrary to that cliché, though, it had nothing to do with sudden athletic asphyxiation. She was taken away and plagued with a prophecy that made her jump to the future. It wasn’t choking in the sense of holding back or freezing in pressure performance, often characterized by over-thinking. And it wasn’t panic either, where one ceases to think at all. (See Malcolm Gladwell’s analysis of choke versus panic). It was more about a subtle, yet abrupt cognitive reorganization of psycho-physiological capacities.

There was not a decrement in performance caused by the inability to cope with the conditions. Rather, there was a transfer of attention -- a shift from the unconscious (instinctual motor program from years of training) to the conscious (fast forward to a different scene) and then back, in less than a second, to the previously non-analytical unconscious. The flow of performance was in disarray, however minimal. Lolo’s motor program became confused and her foot hit the hurdle.

Gladwell explained the differences in modes to ESPN:

The basic idea is that all of us have two different ways of "knowing" how to perform a physical task. The first is conscious knowledge. If I ask you how to use a can opener, you can tell me. The second is unconscious knowledge, which is the knowledge that we have that we can't really describe.

For example, if you gave me a picture of blank keyboard and asked me to write in appropriate letters in the right places, I'd have to think really hard before I could do that accurately. My conscious knowledge of a keyboard is pretty weak. But right now I'm typing at perhaps 40 words per minute, and I'm having absolutely no trouble finding the right letter on the keyboard without thinking at all.

That's my unconscious knowledge system at work, and in that mode I'm a great typist. These two systems are quite separate. And on tasks that we are good at -- like typing, in my case, or throwing a baseball in, say, Derek Jeter's case -- our unconscious systems are way better than our conscious system...All those airballs by the Kings in Game 7 with the Lakers were the shots of players who suddenly start to think about where each letter was instead of just instinctively typing. That was Knoblauch's problem too, and the more he worried about his throwing the harder it was to get back into unconscious mode.

Some of the most popular “chokers” have been ranked: Bill Buckner, Chris Webber, and Jean Van de Velde each made the list. Actually, Buckner may have not choked, but lost focus, much like the fast forwarding of Jones. Webber seemed to have panicked; he experienced an exodus of any rational thought whatsoever. Van de Velde…well, by definition, he choked. He became tight. He over-analyzed. He fell apart.

Maybe Michael Phelps can attribute his record setting Games to his amazing ability to focus on the present. He merely makes no mental errors, and, most importantly, has no fast forwards. He stays in the moment.

Alicia Sacramone? Perhaps it was as comprehensible as a technical mishap. Or did she envision a hopeful moment in the not-to-distant future that caused her to shift attention and enter conscious mode -- a place where one is more likely to resort to a heightened awareness of action and surroundings that impedes trained movements?

Even Lolo, one of the most talented, most humble, and most dedicated athletes, is not immune to mistakes. After trying to deal with the unforeseen, she later stated, “Sometimes you just lose your mind.”

Unfortunately for her, it was too late to catch up to it.

When Does Great Become Greater?

It’s true -- the world witnessed athletic greatness when Michael Phelps became the most decorated Olympic Champion in history with the gold medal medley relay on Sunday in Beijing. He has now accomplished what no other participant in the Games has been able to do and, as ESPN columnist Jemele Hill argues, redefines greatness.

Tread water lightly, though -- many athletes truly have not been able to win eight golds. Not because they couldn’t, but because the opportunities didn’t exist.

There is no doubt that Phelps is a magician, a mega-star, a multi-talented freak in the water. His focus, his motivation, his ability to deal with pressure, and his routine set him apart…as well as his sportsmanship and gentlemanly dealings with the press who would like nothing more than to get closer to him than his tight, world-record breaking swimsuits. But, comparing him to the preeminent athletes of all time? In traditional team sports? When there is only one championship per year? Come on. That is almost as ridiculous as the media’s portrayal of the newest fastest-man-in-the-world’s reputed pre-celebration during the 100-meter sprint. (A scene that was hyped up in the media and, by the time it was televised on NBC, had to be shown in slow motion just to catch the reported chest pounding).

Why do we need to rethink greatness? Phelps is great. Like, ludicrously great -- there is no argument.

But comparing him to Michael Jordan or the greatest athletes in other sports in history?! If MJ had a shot to win eight competitions related to basketball in one year, is it not thinkable that he would? How about a new Olympics sport featuring basketball skills and a classic Jordan in his prime? Picture this line-up over a 7-day period:

1) 1-on-1
2) Free Throw Contest with Eyes Shut
3) Slam Dunk Championship
4) Defensive Stopper Game
5) Hot Shot Field Goal Shooting Match
6) Fundamental Footwork Competition
7) Most Creative In-Air Finish Moves
8) 5-on-5 Championship

These add up to eight separate events. And I bet he’d have a good chance at taking all of them – especially if he was committed to achieving greatness, by the preceding definition set-forth that includes “athlete”, “mental toughness”, and “limits”.

I was extremely elated and relieved when Kobe Bryant questioned the interviewer during the NBA Finals when the latter asked, yet again, about the comparisons between Kobe and Jordan. Bryant responded with a plea hovered around a smile and a “let it go” attitude. He asked that the discussion be halted because there is no other Michael Jordan.

There is no other Jordan. Just as a colleague of mine reported recently that there is no other Pistol Pete in response to the Ricky Rubio eagerness. No other Joe Montana or Tiger Woods or Wayne Gretzky or Lance Armstrong or Jackie Robinson or Lusia Harris or Althea Gibson. (Talk about enduring strain and mental toughness? One certainly has to include the last three. Read William C. Rhoden’s book).

By no means am I suggesting that Phelps’ accomplishments be undercut. I’ve dedicated the past week to him, his regiment, his words, and his training. I haven’t missed an interview. But to question other greats in comparison to him? Insane. Others don't train like he does because there aren’t opportunities to win as much as he does.

Dara Torres was determined to enhance her performance. Age doesn’t matter, especially when one continues to train and has all of the resources available to be at the top of her game. Impressive, yes. Impossible, no.

Let us be proud to witness such intensity, concentration, and determination. But do not underestimate what other renowned performers have accomplished. Great can always become greater, particularly when there are unprecedented goals and new technology-- just look at the world records falling on a daily basis.

Phelps captivated us, but don’t let his mastery hold us captive.

The Psychological Weight of a Nation

One could say it’s China versus Phelps. Although the nation of 1.3 billion is behind in the total count, it has earned 14 golds to the United States’ 10 (five of those attributed to the machine-like swimmer who is now the most decorated Olympic champion). But it’s the China determinism that is the other story, one that is semi-impressive and semi-unsettling.

The Chinese government is driven and believes it has created novel opportunities for its athletes to win the 2008 Games. The structures in place and the strategies the country’s officials established to screen potential athletes are intense. Future competitors and Olympic hopefuls are developed from a young age and the methods by which they are trained engender enormous expectations.

Focused? Yes. Fair? Not necessarily.

From a psychological perspective, the drive, regiment, and motivation are a plus. Both coaches and athletes need these elements in order to improve and become successful. So, far, the training culture is effective. Besides setting precedents (for instance, the gymnastics squads seizing gold), other sports have become highly competitive. China made efforts to analyze its limitations in various events and target athletes who can put them on the sporting map. Further, a great number of sport psychologists are on staff to provide balance and support individuals and teams, holistically.

Counseling professionals, though, also recognize the substantial strain and stress that has been placed, or forced, on many participants. Yao Ming was the perfect vision, the child of two great Chinese athletes, practically engineered to become the nation’s great hope. An ambassador of the game that is becoming the most popular sport in China, Yao has carried the weight with promise and dignity.

Others though, do not seem as fortunate or willing, especially those that claim the intensity is too tough, the training too harsh, and the expectations too high. When it comes to health being a factor and a possible life threat, the goal becomes compromised. Yet, many do not want to give up. There is pride involved. There is money at stake. There is a new identity in the horizon. The culture has infiltrated the minds of many and inflicted a workmanlike, militaristic, do or die attitude.

Overcoming adversity is one thing; winning at all costs another.

If Bela Karolyi’s accusations are valid -- that the Chinese women’s gymnastics team is violating rules with underage participants -- there is something much more disturbing occurring. Could China really be going that far? Does it not want to become victorious the honest way, through hard work and old-school coaching? Or is Bela simply bitter, not being able to be center stage on the floor and pressing his promise that it’s better to come from behind with no pressure?

Karloyi’s claim that it’s easier for the younger kids in gymnastics (suggesting the Chinese) to win because of their innocence and immunity to what the events truly signify is not entirely realistic. It’s true that fledgling flippers may have more fun and are naturally looser, but experience often comes out on top -- at least in other sporting events.

It appeared that the Chinese were the calm ones from the very first vault, while the Americans never relaxed or became comfortable as a unit. China was focused, hours and years of deliberate training and cultural influence having reassured the government’s dream. The USA, led by the courageous Alicia Sacromone, didn’t answer the call. The immense pressure to perform perfectly and guide her teammates to the gold was evident even before her team’s turn.

We’ll continue to observe the happenings of the Beijing Games and the grand design of the host territory. If China does indeed succeed it its plans through excessive workouts and secluded students, then, as the public states, the investment is worth it. If not, maybe China should adopt the agenda of the Panda caretakers who develop a bears’ self-esteem through coaching with caring and understanding.

USA Basketball Championship Means Much More than Gold

Fans and folks involved in basketball in the United States must understand just how crucial it is that the Redeem Team follows through and completes its mission initiated four years ago. Yes, the players want to stand atop the winners’ podium with medals around their necks and make a statement to rest of the world that they are indeed the hardwood superpower.

The underlying ambition, however, extends much further than that particular image of celebration and accomplishment. The pressure is great -- not as overwhelming as Yao Ming’s imposed calling that places more than one billion bodies on his back -- but heavy as in win or go home…a loss with the latter could force one to eventually succumb to a resulting sorry state of basketball at the premier levels.

The elite minds are worried about the evolution of the sport. Could basketball in the States enter into a recession as well? The leaders of basketball met in September 2006 and this past April to discuss the development (or malnutrition) of youth basketball. On another day, Coach Stan Van Gundy voiced his concerns about the lack of fundamentals and extreme emphasis on winning in this country at the lower levels.

The rise of street ball, with all of its mayhem, music, and magnetism, has capitalized on the artistry and popularity of hoops, yet struggled to convey the importance of working on form shooting, setting up curls and fades, and defending the pick and roll.

AAU, in many instances, could stand for Anyone After Underdevelopment, as many fathers-and-fans-now-coaches aim their sights on sponsors, traveling to Florida and Vegas, and acting as agents that claim to be friends with all of the top colleges.

To add to the complexity, high school superstar Brandon Jennings will live in Europe before I even get to travel there again. And Josh Childress has taken flight via a sweet overseas deal after playing for the Atlanta Hawks (and working out at MIT). There exists a true threat of talent migrating for the winter -- only the direction is not south.

Players are not considering leaving -- they are leaving.

The twelve athletes in Beijing now represent the highest hope to not simply take back the gold, but maintain what the US, thankfully, still does have: exciting college basketball. Otherwise, the game will gradually breakdown like an unstable press break. And the conditions could worsen. Forget establishing “40 minutes of hell”– how about 12 months of how to improve?

If the US Olympic Team does indeed reclaim success in the spotlight on the grandest stage, at least it will be accomplished with players and coaches who believe in development. The pressure remains, but anything short of gold is much more troublesome.

Pro-Development

Even the pros of pros prepare for pressure. At least, they have to learn how to, as Carmelo Anthony stated in a June 23 article about the unfortunate failure to win gold at the last Olympics.

"We really had not a clue as to what we were getting into," Anthony said.

Well, this time they do, and the physical play, the suspicious refereeing, the legalized offensive goaltending, the jet lag and the fatigue -- none of it will surprise them. Still, the man who put this team together is the man who ultimately will be judged as a Team USA success or failure.

The “man” the last sentence refers to is the head of it all, Jerry Colangelo, who did his research, consulted the experts, and formed what he hopes to be a true team – a group of unselfish NBA ballers who have experience, personality, and the skills to get it done. He and Team USA added shooters and versatility, leaders and go-getters, and assembled a staff of well-respected coaches from the college and pro ranks.

Being prepared, though, is the key. Coach K, in his sanguine and literal tone, emphasized his mentality in one of the first meetings and, thank goodness, Melo seems to get it now. There was no passing out of gas station shirts to symbolize work ethic, as Eric Musselman points out about Harbaugh’s new Stanford gridiron squad; rather, the mood was one of “it’s time to get serious and win this thing again.” I haven’t heard a straight-out statement of guaranteed gold from anyone yet, although the staff boldly mentioned that they have the talent and wherewithal to be successful – especially if the defense is disciplined. And with Kobe leading the way as the so-called stopper, he looks to relish the role of licking his chops as his opponents lick their wounds.

It seems that this group of superstars is focused and excited to be representing the country. They are there, hopefully, because they want to be there – luminaries who love the camaraderie, the experience, and the desire to put the U.S. back on top in the basketball world. Heck – Dwyane Wade is the 6th man and they almost have a 1:1 coach to player ratio!

If it comes down to the question of the mental game in a close-knit contest with Argentina or Spain or Greece, all they need is to read Bill Russell’s 1965 narrative from Sports Illustrated that highlights his key psychological points related to competing and out-thinking the opponent.

Let’s just hope they aren’t all puking pre-tip to prepare as Russell was known to do -- unless, of course, it's a necessity for mental development and they perform like he did.

Balanced in Boston

If the Boston Celtics do indeed sport one of the strongest defenses of all time, then they will win their first NBA Finals victory since 1986. History hovers on their court. As the saying goes, defense wins championships…but offense supplies teams with the content to win games to get to the championship. Yes, the C’s were the best defensive team during the 2007-08 season and rank third all-time in the category (Hollinger). However, they also crafted 66 regular season wins with the input of mostly understanding role players (trigger-happy Sammy wasn’t picked up until later) and three All-Stars, players that are virtually invincible when they are on top of their games.

The Paul Pierce-Kevin Garnett 1-2 punch is one of the best tandems in the game. And the “truth” about this “big ticket” is their physical games are on the same level as their mental games. They stay focused and intense in their own ways, but each way is right for them. KG has taken much flack for being too intense all of the time (Sports Guy) and been tattered in the media as one who does not have enough game - or physical energy - to bring it when it matters most in the fourth. That’s ok, though, because he seems unflappable and, at least in Game 1 of the Finals, unstoppable…especially with Pierce nailing shots after a forced wheelchair knee scare and Ray Allen finding a consistent rhythm himself.

As long as Boston has those three clicking (they combined for 67 of the team’s 98 points), fans are well on their way to yet another sports parade in Beantown. Further, the crown defense challenged shots, managed Kobe for most of the game, and flustered the Lakers’ counterparts. Boston looked like a championship team with scoring opportunities developing from all angles – in transition off of makes and misses and in the half court. They applied just as much pressure on LA with their offense as their defense, and for the most part did not double the league MVP as much as one may have anticipated.

Why should Boston fans be fearful of the future? Pierce’s and Perkins’ physical conditions…more pressure to win on home court and the need to travel to the other coast with a 2-0 series lead…Kobe’s killer instinct (Sports Illustrated) and almost surefire ability to drop 40 in one or two of these contests (he was only 9 of 26 with some in-and-outs)…the Lakers only committed 8 turnovers while recording more team assists on a dismal perimeter shooting performance (3-14 from 3-point range) and they still shot 42% for the game…Kobe’s maturation and all-around abilities and, at this point in his career, so much separation from Lebron because of his mid-range game and understanding of the triangle offense.

By the way, reserved reserve Leon Powe, was the only player in the regular season top 50 to clock less than 15 minutes per game and still be included in Hollinger’s player ratings - #22 in fact! Efficiency is necessary for the title. If the Celtics can find a way to string together defensive stops and offensive runs as much as KG spurts “F-bombs”, they may have just enough to raise their 17th banner.

Crowds, Clay, and Craziness

Small city, greater chances?
The idea of a home court advantage is more than intriguing. The fact that environment can occupy such a critical role in the way a team prepares and plays is perplexing. Yet, it’s understandable, too. Players like to feel comfortable. They like to be fitted in great gear, execute pre-game at their own baskets, and hear their home game warm-up music. They get excited for their home announcer, their own bench, and their locker room. Phil Jackson suggested the experienced (or aged, depending on interpretation) Spurs are facing an arduous path this week, as they aren’t allotted much time for recovery between games. The modern NBA schedule insists on a game every other day regardless of travel.

Could it also be that Mizruchi’s (1985) study is valid in the 21st century - that home court advantage is related to the surrounding city size? If so, Boston has nothing to worry about, especially with LA, San Antonio, and Detroit as the final teams standing. He found that the smaller and more intimate cities produced more successful teams at home. Loyalty. Connectivity. Supportive fans. The talk of the town directly influences the play all around. Maybe there is something to be said for positive spectator thoughts and high crowd energy. (Superstitious folks tread lightly)…

French connection?
Rafa Nadal is on his way to defending his own home court at the French Open. He looks to win his fourth title on the historical clay where he has been no less than dominant. Pressure? Not really. Former tennis great Alex Corretja believes Nadal beholds the psychological toughness to keep on rolling at Roland Garros, a place where his record is a ridiculous 21-0. "He has the mental power," Corretja said. "He believes he was born to be the best. He doesn't think he can ever lose."

Mentally tough or just plain insane?
The looking-to-be famous Frenchman Michel Fournier has spent two decades preparing for his great leap from the edge of the atmosphere after selling his home and raising $20 million. Unfortunately for him, the jump from 130,000 feet above the ground continues to get postponed due to mishaps with his advanced balloon and spacesuit. Technology is supposed to keep him alive during his two-hour ride up and less than 15-minute fall, one that would "go down" in history. I suspect he is so focused now that he is 64 and has the mindset of “let’s just get this thing off the ground” that his anxiety is lessened. I’d love to know if the pressure in his mind exceeds the pressure in his suit…

Don't Mind Me

This past week, psychological warfare has roamed the sports world with predictions and pulse-pounding points from various athletes. Boxing champ Bernard Hopkins formed his tactics by way of trash talk about race and pure domination. The Atlanta Hawks say they aren’t scared of the number one Celtics and believe they will win with the “no pressure on us” mentality. And the recent confidence of Manny Ramirez is off the charts. Just the other day he spoke of staying relaxed, having fun, and inviting challenges. Result? The next game, he beat the Yanks with two impressive home runs and looked as calm as the Charles in January as he cranked numbers 493 and 494.

There is often much made of the sensational statements that athletes produce before sporting events, probably more the sake of media prodding. After all, interviews and interrogations provide reporters, analysts, and fans with considerable amounts of data to discuss. Sure, coaches, athletes and teams draw upon emotions and prophetic words intended to motivate and focus folks for upcoming competitions. Yet, once the match begins, those notions are (thankfully) disregarded like John Rocker’s ticks. Depending on the personality of the athlete and the type of battle about to begin, the cognitive combat is more significant. Imagine Tiger yelling out a Muhammed Ali-like line in the pre-PGA tourney press conference: “Mickelson is so ugly that he should donate his face to the US Bureau of Wild Life!” That could stir much more emotional coffee than the prototypical pleasantries of golfmanship usually encourage.

Heated verbal exchanges and flamboyant forecasts may enliven events, but most of the time they don’t mean much once the competition is under way unless the words were so mentally damaging to the opponent that he fell apart (recall Scottie Pippen’s promise to Karl Malone: “The Mailman doesn’t deliver on Sunday.”) One can ignore or even forget the mind teasers…at least until the conclusion when the interviews begin again.

Cognitive Collapse

Pressure can cause strange reactions. It can cause one to overreact, tighten up, or cloud one’s judgment. Whatever the case, if it’s not addressed with even a brief brain bout, the initial result can turn into an epidemic. Illustration: a championship event. Closing out a basketball game can be difficult on many levels, and Memphis learned that the hard way last night. With 8:50 left in the game, Kansas led 47-46. At the 2:12 mark, Memphis led 60-51 after Rose and company compiled a sizzling span in which the point guard himself scored 10 points. The Tigers looked like they were poised to cement the so-called “dream team” label, but the stability they used to get to that state suddenly vanished.

They gave up an uncontested jumper with 1:56, then threw the ball away as Kansas canned a three. CDR made two free throws, but his team went on to miss four of its next five. He also missed a crucial jumper that would have given Memphis a four-point cushion. Meanwhile, Kansas made two more freebies, another 2-pointer, and the clutch three to tie it with two ticks left. The OT was no contest. Memphis collapsed and Kansas capitalized. Emotions shifted. San Antonio became a swing region, where one party that had made such progress suddenly saw its seasonal development evaporate into the Texas air. A team that appeared confident for so long allowed the intensity of the moment to probe and then plow, forcing regrettable pressure to rise. And then, as Billy Packer gloriously commented (and I actually agreed with him), we witnessed the ability, rather inability, to make shots when pressure was paramount.

What happened to the 38-1 squad during the final, fatal fourth? Strong defense diminished. Heel-playing began. Hope overtook expectation. The mental game became most influential. Panic prevailed. Playing fast and being aggressive worked for Memphis. Slowing pace and having to think did not. For example, when it was shut off from the lane, by virtue of the lockdown man defense that cut off right hands and partly because of the box-and-one, creating shots in the half court became more difficult. The Tigers didn’t have enough re-routing power to combat the clutter. Couple that with a contaminated motor program in the last couple of minutes that prevented a smooth stroke and all Coach Cal was left with was a clowder of cats to be categorized as catastrophic.

The brain needs millions of neurons for a player to shoot and make a free throw. Complex functions occur at blazing rates that make use of all of the lobes and human senses. A plaguing thought or even an abrupt delusion can corrupt the shot, causing negativity, constriction, and, ultimately, misfire. Unfortunately for Memphis, the infection spread swiftly, just as the wings of the Jayhawks extended into "Self"ish history.

Other madness observations

• It took the “premier” college basketball announcer around four game minutes to realize the Jayhawks were in a box-and-one … once he did, he was very proud, repeating the finding a half dozen times.

• Is it me or does Digger Phelps incessantly bully Dicky V.? During the pre-game on ESPN in which the panel of experts was seated adjacent to the water, Bob Knight, in an explanation about officials not calling obvious charges said, “I can take Dick and with one finger I can push him back.”As Knight pressed Vitale’s chest with his index finger, Digger chimed in. “Not far enough … Right in the river, baby! … Say goodnight Dick! … Can you swim?!”
  

• The Stanford women wear black uniforms to intimidate, run the triangle offense, have a 20-point scorer, shoot more than 72 percent from the foul line, and hold teams to 56 points per game at 35 percent field goal shooting. Let’s see if those details work out against the defending national champions who average 78 points per game and have the best player in the women’s game. Should be another great one.