by Sam Walker
This book is about sports, leadership, winning, and statistics. I really enjoy three of those four.
The author has a lot to say about his statistics, in particular how he came to choose the teams, the dynasties, that warranted further consideration for what made them great. But all that did was provide some numbers to focus on what isn’t numbers at all: the commitment of one guy to drive a team to dominate.
A friend recommended this, and I’d recommend it to my friends, too. It was fun, and I learned about some teams I don’t typically come across in my normal viewing interest.
The lesson is, skill/talent is something, but not sufficient. Someone has to care, and be committed to pay the cost. Usually that guy becomes the captain. Be that kind of guy.
“the most crucial ingredient in a team that achieves and sustains historic greatness is the character of the player who leads it.”
“It’s not that having a captain of a certain kind was a bonus—it was the only common denominator.”