Eagles and Cowboys Disasters and a Stroud Vs. Luck Rookie Debate. Plus, Jazz Head Coach Will Hardy.
Jan 16, 2024
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Russillo recaps NFL wild-card weekend winners and losers. Then, he interviews Utah Jazz head coach Will Hardy about the team's success and his coaching journey. They also answer listener-submitted Life Advice questions.
The Utah Jazz coaching staff successfully balanced the development of young players with their competitive goals, leading to a cohesive team.
The coaching staff prioritized creating a supportive locker room environment where all players have opportunities to succeed.
A chance encounter and relationship with Coach Tong opened the door for an internship with the San Antonio Spurs, shaping the foundation of the guest's coaching career.
Transitioning from intern to head coach came with initial doubts and challenges, but the experience gained prepared him for the role.
Deep dives
Balancing expectations and cohesion
Last year, the Utah Jazz exceeded expectations and had a chip on their shoulder as they were perceived as being in a rebuild. This year, there were some expectations due to the performance of players like Larry Marketing and Jordan Clarkson. The team had to figure out how to balance the development of young players while also competing to win. The coaching staff focused on finding the right lineups and maximizing the strengths of different groups. It took time, but the team has now found a rhythm and the players have bought into the system.
The challenge of rewarding development
The coaching staff faces the challenge of balancing the development of young players with the desire to win. While game minutes are crucial for development, the team relies on the G-League to provide additional game reps. The priority is to create a cohesive locker room where all players feel valued, rather than having a select few carry the load of development. The coaching staff aims to put their best foot forward, focusing on winning while also ensuring that young players have opportunities to succeed.
Making unexpected connections
A chance encounter with a couple, Coach Tong and his wife Jinx, led to a special relationship during his time at Williams College. This connection ultimately led to an opportunity to work with the San Antonio Spurs. Despite initially thinking the possibility was unlikely, the relationship with Coach Tong and his connection to Greg Popovich opened the door for an internship with the Spurs. The experience in San Antonio, working with talented players and experiencing stability within the organization, shaped the foundation of his coaching career.
Transitioning to head coach and learning on the job
Transitioning from an intern with the Spurs to becoming a head coach is a remarkable journey. The initial game as head coach came with a mix of excitement and nerves. Being aware of age and the expectations that come with it, there were moments of doubt and questions about decision-making, such as arguing with referees or using timeouts. However, the experience gained in San Antonio and as an assistant coach prepared him for the role. While there are still moments of disbelief, he embraces the challenges and embraces the opportunity to lead his own team.
Changes in Appearance and Attention
The author, a 39-year-old man, reflects on how his changing appearance, including thinning hair, a softer chin line, and gray hair, has affected the way he is treated and the attention he receives. He notices that he gets less attention from others, doesn't receive freebies at bars and restaurants, and feels less desirable overall. Despite being happily married with four children and having a good job, he struggles with his ego's need for external validation in terms of his physical attractiveness.
Coping with a New Normal
As a man in his late 30s, the author seeks advice on how to cope with the feelings of being 'normal' and less physically desirable. He mentions the challenge of not being the 'hot' guy anymore and dealing with the loss of attention and perks that came with his youthful appearance. While he acknowledges that it shouldn't matter as he has a fulfilling life, he admits that it still affects his ego. The author is looking for suggestions on how to navigate this new phase and find contentment in his changing appearance.
Embracing Personal Style and Confidence
In response to the author's concerns, the suggestion is made to consider updating his personal style. This could involve getting inspiration from magazines, trying out new clothing options, experimenting with hairstyles, and focusing on fitness to enhance his confidence and overall appearance. It is emphasized that true attractiveness comes from within and that finding contentment requires embracing one's evolving self-image while understanding that external validation is not the sole measure of personal worth.
Russillo opens by recapping super wild-card weekend and his biggest winners and losers (0:37). Then heis joined by the Utah Jazz’s head coach, Will Hardy, to talk about the Jazz’s current surge, managing rotations, and his journey to becoming a head coach (26:04). Finally, the guys close it out with some listener-submitted Life Advice questions (64:14).
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Host: Ryen Russillo
Guest: Will Hardy
Producers: Steve Ceruti, Kyle Crichton, and Stefan Anderson
