Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections On and Off the Court

Spiking, Dunking, Taunting, Flaunting

Today’s showboating runs contrary to what the spirit of the game is all about. Excessive dunking, pointing at other players, and taunting them, all belittle your opponent and show a lack of respect.

I believe you should go out and work hard, play hard, and compete hard in sports and in life without the extra histrionics.

We played ten times for the national championship while I was coaching at UCLA. Each time we were fortunate enough to win. And each time near the end of the contest when I felt we had the game in hand, I told the team during a time-out, “Now, remember when this game is over to behave in an appropriate manner. Do not make fools of yourselves. Let the alumni and student body do that if they ...