Work Ethic. It is imperative to have good morals and apply them to your ambitions and career to truly succeed in anything in life. Don’t you agree?

Recent conversations, movies and discussions I have had the last two weeks really have me diving deep into the importance of morals and work ethic; Especially in the realm of sports. As we know, raw talent is a special gift, however when it’s coupled with positive, good work ethic, there is no stopping that person. However, when it is simply raw talent… well you are only as strong as your weakest link and not having a good head on your shoulders or playing bad politics in any industry will only hurt you, and most people around you, in the end. 

The “Official Home of Nets Basketball” on Twitter recently started a discussion on which is more important. I immediately, without hesitation, go with work ethic. Not only can you use this in every area of your life, but you can also improve upon a skill easier than improving your morals. Do you agree? Would you personally rather have raw talent or naturally practice positive work ethics?

If you pay any attention to me at all you may know I'm a little overzealous when it comes to Duke and Penn State. That being said, a month or so ago when I heard this rumor that ESPN was going to do a special on Joe Paterno and Mike Krzyzewski I about went through the roof. What a grand idea! Well the time has come for this special to air. This is something that will only happen once in our lifetimes. the two greatest coaches in the history of their respective sports together at once (JoePa is pretty accepted as being the best, Coach K can be argued but in the end I'm sure he'll win).

"Cuban is an animal!" - Tim Sanders

The NBA playoffs this season are the most unpredictable playoffs I can ever remember watching. I would not take bets on who are going to be in the finals because it’s just impossible to predict. If you were to tell me the NBA's career leading coach in playoff winnings, Phil Jackson, and his team the LA Lakers were going to get swept in the second round of the NBA playoffs to the Dallas Mavericks I would have laughed in your face. Next thing you know you are going to tell me the United States found and killed Bin Laden...

One thing I truly love about the Orlando Magic Organization is the solid fondation that is behind it year in and year out.  No matter the players or the win/loss ratio, they have a team that is backed by a huge heart and character and that is the DeVos family. Rich DeVos has owned the Orlando Magic since '91 and his family continues to have a huge hand in the entire organization.  However, not only do they run the back-end side of things (stuff the normal fan may not pay attention to) but they make it a personal goal to reach out to the players and motivate them for team and personal benefit.

Bill Vasko (@CoachBook) is one of the first sports contacts I made on twitter.  We always chatted about sports and personal struggles and lessons.  He is extremely caring, dedicated and intelligent.  He is the brainchild behind http://www.mycoachbook.com which is a social networking site fo

To be a successful coach on the collegiate level means more than just wins and losses.

You have men and women who are trying to find their way into adulthood. You have an obligation to the school and the surrounding communities. There is great loyalty required to gain the respect, of the students, the fans, and the surrounding area. There is only one place where this definition is truly personified, a small town in central Pennsylvania.
 
With the college football season right around the corner, I feel like every time I turn on the TV or the radio there is some story on about Joe Paterno. Every segment seems to praise him, but then they always have to give that last minute negative feedback. I'm so sick of hearing about how he's too old, too old fashioned, the Big Ten is just not very good (then why are 5 Big Ten teams ranked in the preseason Top15), and so on and so forth. His record speaks for itself. Putting the fact that he is the winningest coach of all-time aside, Penn State is one of only four teams to put together consecutive eleven win seasons the past two years. But I digress, I'm not here to defend the man or the program, there's no need to, paper doesn't lie.