War is the only game in which it doesn't pay to have the home-court advantage.
The opera isn't over until the fat lady sings.
A coach has to worry not so much about creating motivation, esprit de corps, as about destroying it. The true competitor has it; he wouldn't be a star if he didn't. So you have to mold all these egos together and make sure in your selection of people that you don't destroy the feeling of togetherness or morale, because it is a fragile thing.
Your contribution as a coach is defending and rebounding.
