When a great team loses through complacency, it will constantly search for new and more intricate explanations to explain away defeat.
Pat RileyThe most DIFFICULT thing for individuals to do when they become part of a team is to sacrifice, it is much EASIER to be selfish.
Pat RileyWe measure areas of performance that are often ignored: jumping in pursuit of every rebound even if you don't get it, swatting at every pass, diving for loose balls, letting someone smash into you in order to draw the foul. These 'effort' statistics are also stored on computer. Effort is what ultimately separates journeyman players from impact players. Knowing how well a player executes all these little things is the key to unlocking career-best performances.
Pat Riley