Five Point Play didn’t disappoint me and seemed to have more and more action as I kept turning the pages. I think the second half of the book was better than the first because the players got to show what they had in the actual games instead of just practice. Each player showed their strengths and weaknesses from their first preseason game against Princeton, to their national championship game against Arizona. I also didn’t realize how much coaches play a role in developing a team until reading about their first game. They all did what they were told to do in practice. To me, that shows how important fundamentals are in winning games and staying tough throughout not only an entire game, but an entire season.
Duke’s basketball team outlasted and outplayed everyone, concluding in thirty-five wins and four losses for their overall record. This shows their great determination and effort used to achieve their great accomplishments they made. The players pushing each other make them tougher physically and mentally when it’s game time. One person can determine how the whole team feels because they eat, sleep, and most importantly, play as a team.
Something else that played a major role in the Duke Basketball team’s victories was their extra hustle. This allowed them to finish off their opponents who grew more tired towards the end of the game. You never realize how important diving after that one more lose ball can make a difference, possibly even winning or losing a game. Hustle means to wear out the other team, and use your conditioning to your advantage.
Overall, Five Point Play helps me understand how a winning team plays, acts, and is coached. Also, makes me notice how experienced coaching develops the best team in the nation. Mike Krzyzewski knows what each of his players’ talents is and uses that to the best to his ability. Without Mike’s coaching, the team wouldn’t be as in great of shape as they were. This book means a lot to any serious basketball fan and/or player who would like to learn more about the 2001 Duke Basketball team. I would recommend this book to any of my friends or basketball fans out there.