Most Valuable Player to their team – player notes
In sports, a most valuable player (MVP) award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best-performing player (or players) in an entire league, for a particular competition, or on a specific team. Initially used in professional sports, the term is now also commonly used in amateur sports, as well as in other completely unrelated fields such as business and music. In many sports, MVP awards are presented for a specific match—in other words, a man of the match award.
Here are seven tips for becoming the most valuable player on your team—even if you don’t think you’re the most talented member:
- Play till the whistle blows. Don’t walk off the field in the game. Even if you’re behind—especially if you’re behind—you can make a winning contribution. But you’ll never do it if you quit early.
- Practice good communication. For me that all comes down to clarity, responsiveness, and frequency. Be clear, don’t bottleneck information, and keep everyone who needs to know in the know as often as they need to know it.
- Work hard. More accurately, work harder than you think you need to. Doing the minimum will win no points with people who are putting in extra effort. If you have more to give, do it.
- Share your best. If you want to serve your team members, don’t hold back. Creativity, talent, learning, insight—they can make all the difference in the final outcome, so share your best stuff.
- Own your mistakes. Responsibility is the mark of a strong team player. If there’s a problem and it’s yours, own it. Accountability frees people to work on the problem, not fester about the one who created it.
- Affirm others. Team spirit is critical for victory, and everyone on the team is responsible to improve the mood if possible. Catch others doing good work and call them out.
- Be positive. By its very nature, cynicism kills teamwork. Unlike constructive criticism, it’s defensive and self-indulgent. It’s designed to protect the cynic at the expense of everyone else. A positive attitude about problems is the best way to help the team get past them.
Lets take a look at some players who display there important day in and day out:
Playing in the Metro League, which is probably the toughest league in Washington. CJ Elleby has his mind set on leading his team to another appearance at the state tournament. Were expecting a big breakout season from this young man, as he continues to climb the rankings and destroy his competitors.
With good size and great skill, Erik Stevenson is able to score in a variety of ways, but says his sharpshooting ability is his best strength. “I consider myself a playmaker, and I’m a knockdown shooter. If I get an open look it’s basically an automatic bucket,” he said. “I can drive and kick to my teammates, I can get to the cup, and I can rebound. I like to get out in transition too. Basically I can do a little bit of everything.”
Cameron Tyson has already a nicely developed player, and with some decent size and better ability, he pieced together one of the finer seasons in Washington this past winter. “I like to score the basketball; I can score from the outside or pull-up from mid-range, or get to the basket when needed. I’m starting to develop my defensive mentality a little bit more. So, that’s how I’d describe my game,” said Tyson, who can play either guard spot effectively.
Standing 6’1 Elijah Pepper is a shifty guard who can handle it with both hands and can see the floor better than most guards in his class. He is a nose to the floor defender and can guard multiple positions because of his build and strength. In the West Coast Elite camp this year. Coaches have made comparisons to younger version of Rex Chapman. He has the ability to shoot of both legs and from pretty much anywhere on the court. He has an assortment of ways to get his shot off and create space. If defenders close out to hard he can also blow by you with his quick first step.
With a 6’10” frame, Zane Foster has shown that he can guard out on the perimeter at the showcase as well. His jumper is looking more consistent and he is a threat from deep. He is a persistent offensive rebounder who got the reward with many put-backs for buckets. He can also stepped out and made a number of 15 footers as well as a couple of step-back fade away jumpers. His touch around the hoop is solid, but he could use a few more post moves in his arsenal at the next level. He has the length and moves well off ball to get in good positions for easy dunks and layups already though.