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

Dealing with Big-Headedness

If I saw a player getting a little too big for his britches, too self-important, especially if he was a so-called star, I would say to some of the other players in a stern voice loud enough for the star to overhear, “You fellows are as important to the success of this team as anybody. Everyone has to fill their role for this team to reach its potential. Your role is just as important as mine. My role is just as important as anybody else’s.

“Everyone on this team is equally important to the team. Nobody is bigger than the team. Nobody! Remember that.”

So without directly embarrassing the arrogant player, I let him know I valued all players and the various roles they played for the good of the team.

If the message didn’t ...