My latest New Yorker piece, on how David beats Goliath, is here.
I've been very pleased with the reaction. I did want to respond, though, to a number of comments that have been made about the parts of the piece dealing with Rick Pitino and college basketball. (Nothing is quite as fun as arguing about sports,)
Since most of the commenters make the same arguments, I'm going to pick a post by Ben Mathis-Lilley, over at New York magazine's blog. He writes, in part:
The truth is that almost every team tries to make its opponents work for all 94 feet in some fashion, and not every underdog is born to run a full-court press. For example, take a team of mediocre players plus two pretty good athletes — one a tiny but quick guard, the other a big man who’s strong but slow on his feet. If that team ran a full-court press, the opposition would exploit the big guy by sending the player he guards sprinting down the floor on a fast break, while the small guard would be wasted guarding someone who probably doesn’t have possession, since the standard reaction to a press is to pass the ball around. A better strategy would be for the quick guard to pressure the opposition’s ball handler while the other players retreat, giving the big guy time to lurk near the basket and shot-block.
The first sentence--that almost every team makes its opponents work for all 94 feet--is, of course, nonsense. But the rest of the paragraph makes perfect sense. The press is not for everyone. But then the piece never claimed that it was. I simply pointed out that insurgent strategies (substituting effort for ability and challenging conventions) represent one of David's only chances of competing successfully against Goliath, so it's surprising that more underdogs don't use them. The data on underdogs in war is quite compelling in this regard. But it's also true on the basketball court. The press isn't perfect. But given its track record, surely it is under-utilized. Isn't that strange?
The New York piece then goes on:
The most misleading part of Gladwell’s case concerns Rick Pitino, the Kentucky coach who was famously defeated on a last-second play by Duke in the 1992 NCAA tournament when he decided not to guard Grant Hill, who was inbounding the ball (ignoring the inbounder is a key component of the press).
Hmmm. Small point. Ignoring the inbounder is not a key component of the press. It is a key component of someversions of the press. Pitino also uses a version of the press that does guard the inbounder. (Also Pitino is no longer the coach at Kentucky. He's now the Louisville coach.) The piece then objects to my attempt to "shoehorn Pitino's teams into the underdog category" because Pitino's 1996 Kentucky team "featured featured a staggering nine players who would go on to play in the NBA." A number of others have pointed this out, and I'm still somewhat baffled by the criticism.
Pitino has been a college head coach since 1978 at four schools--Boston University, Providence College, Kentucky and the University of Louisville. At BU, he took over a team that had won 17 games in the two years before his arrival. He went 91-51 in five years, and took the team to the NCAA. At Providence, he took over a team that had gone 11-20 the year before. Two years later, he won 25 games and went to the Final Four with what may have been one of the most spectacularly untalented teams to have ever reached that level. And at Louisville he took his team to their first final four in 19 years in 2005. The star of that squad? Francisco Garcia. Ever heard of him? Exactly. Not to mention this year's Louisville squad which reached the Elite Eight with really only one NBA caliber player. You can also make an argument (and Bill Simmons at ESPN does) that Pitino did an awful lot with a very little while at the Boston Celtics, briefly, in 1998. Pitino's Kentucky experience is an anomaly. And by the way the nine players who got drafted into the NBA off that anomalous 1996 Kentucky squad consisted of eight journeymen and one, marginal star--Antoine Walker. Pitino has had a fraction of the talent that his contemporaries at Kansas, Carolina, Duke or Connecticut have had.
Wow! Great article.and I think many people will like your blog and writing their ideas.your suggest very usefully.i hope your information will take us better lives.thank you for your article.
Posted by: cheap ugg boots | September 24, 2011 at 01:58 AM
I really like how the strategies of a simple game of basketball can related to the strategies and the way people live their lives.If I am a underdogs what strategies can I use to up my chances over the major players?
Posted by: Melissa | October 06, 2011 at 01:10 PM
バーバリーマフラー
民主党の輿石東幹事長は7日夜、11年度第3次補正予算案を巡って、自民、バーバリーハンドバッグ
公明両党の幹事長と国会内で会談し、東日本大震災の復興財源を賄う復興債の償還期間を25年に延長することを提案した。バーバリー アウトレット自公両党は受け入れる方針で、8日に合意する方向となった。
バーバリーマフラー自公両党はこの日、回答を持ち帰ったが、会談後、自民党の谷垣禎一総裁と大島理森副総裁、石原伸晃幹事長が党本部で会談。石原氏が「私は受けていいと思う」と伝え、谷垣、大島両氏も了承した。バーバリー財布公明党も8日の党内手続きを経て受け入れる。8日正午からの3党幹事長会談で正式に回答する。
バーバリー アウトレット民主、自民両党間で最大の懸案だった償還期間の問題に見通しがついたことで、3党協議は最終合意に向けて大きく前進した。
Posted by: バーバリーマフラー | November 07, 2011 at 08:11 PM
ティンバーランドDeNAが元横浜監督の山下大輔氏(59)に二軍監督への就任を要請したことが13日、わかった。
ティンバーランド山下氏は同日、都内で取材に応じ、「まだ返事はしていないが、前向きには考えている」と語った。山下氏は1974年にドラフト1位で大洋(現DeNA)に入団。88年に引退後、ヘッドコーチなどを経て、2003、04年に横浜(現DeNA)の監督を務めた。
Posted by: ティンバーランド | December 14, 2011 at 12:45 AM
ティンバーランド オリンパスの第三者委員会や関係者によると、オリンパスは1990年代に財テクに失敗して含み損を抱え、少なくとも平成10年ごろから森久志前副社長(54)や山田秀雄前監査役(66)らが大手証券会社OBとともに、損失を投資ファンドなどに移し替える「飛ばし」を考案し、実行。菊川剛前会長(70)ら歴代社長も報告を受けていた。
ティンバーランドオリンパスがこうした手法によりファンドに飛ばした損失は15年の時点で1177億円。同社は18~20年に行われた国内外4社の買収で支払った計1348億円を還流させ、穴埋めに充てたとされる。
ティンバーランド森、山田両氏はこれまでの特捜部の任意聴取に対し、損失隠しへの関与を認めた上で、菊川氏へも逐一報告していたことに言及。菊川氏は三者委に「損失隠しは知っていたが、額については最近知った」と証言しており、特捜部は近く菊川氏からも事情聴取する。
ティンバーランド監視委は刑事処分とは別に、同社が4社買収による資金捻出で損失処理を終えていることから、行政処分である課徴金を科すよう金融庁に勧告する見通しだ。
Posted by: ティンバーランド | December 14, 2011 at 12:46 AM
The article is very good, I like it very much.Here I learned a lot, then I will pay more attention to you.
Posted by: 49ers Red Jersey | January 17, 2012 at 07:37 PM
I'm a big fan, and I'd say that's a really great piece. Your readers truly miss you.
Posted by: Ichetucknee River | January 31, 2012 at 10:52 AM
In addition, most of the finely specific precious metal necklace around your neck may be personal together with a laser engraved title or maybe information, which could produce the actual necklace around your neck distinctive and many more [url=http://www.louisvuittonoutletshops.us/]louis vuitton outlet[/url] precious. Louis Vuitton layout residence gives you virtually many gadgets you might consider. Additionally , it features created purses pertaining to louis vuitton outlet taking different kinds objects. Including their clutches, backpacks, shoulder luggage, evening motorola clutch, them also includes the baby provider, puppy carrier and also this ushanka container. In fact, do not lik may be invaluable accents not only pertaining to way, but intended for efficiency, and that is particularly regarding women of all ages. Nonetheless http://www.louisvuittonoutletshops.us/ it is not so easy and keep your loath series fit while vacationing. The following Louis Vuitton Ushanka common box is to protect your issues. This particular classy head wear container is actually crafted with iconic Monogram canvas along with pure cowhide reinforcements using a timber system. Which has a size involving it has some sort of vacation cabin sizing ability for your cherished caps selection. The idea shows a tight-fitted and protected covered gold bras drawing a line under, as well as the adjustable household leather strap. It can be considerately which is designed to relaxation at a nice selection of protective great brass feet. Their service is usually additionally strengthened from the extrenal leather USERNAME loop.
[url=http://www.bmwfirst.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=271810]louis vuitton outlet[/url]
[url=http://board.alcazarpattaya.com/index.php?topic=78092.new#new]louis vuitton outlet[/url]
[url=http://www.thekingdomkeepers.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=50879]louis vuitton outlet[/url]
[url=http://www.kansainetwork.com/classifieds-network/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=25151]louis vuitton outlet[/url]
[url=http://www.rakan-roh.com/vb/showthread.php?p=189651#post189651]louis vuitton outlet[/url]
Posted by: Isommizeobete | February 01, 2012 at 04:10 AM
ウルヴァリン
MCM バック
プラダ 店舗
Posted by: Fredericamax | March 29, 2013 at 04:07 AM
driving range ge super radio iii viking sewing machine prices wireless karaoke dermal fillers propane gas ranges Bitemark nourkin プラダ トート
トッズ ブーツ
outdoor edge kodi pak pankaj udhas cd disk christmas letterhead pb400 jays potato chip titanium earrings chinese paper lanterns バーバリー Burberry
kids spy scope $0 49 $0 99 jabra bt160 nux psalm 139 the message push lawn mower oriental girls ngozi buying red phosphorus da mat
Posted by: Fredericalrd | March 29, 2013 at 05:08 AM
しぶぞめ こつばん ジョーダン 5 にんきょ エプロン ステージ
ウエストコート ひにんげんてき Air Jordan 6 サン フランシスコ ぬりもの
ペシミスティック じぞく ディーゼル 腕時計 こつつぼ あてる
なな ひまん marc by marc jacobs 財布 かみざいく レッド パージ
おどり でばん マークジェイコブス 時計 おちこむ チェック
Posted by: sorgefoef | March 29, 2013 at 06:26 AM
I screwed up and pteosd one to my own blog. Sorry about that. (At least it was a guest post.)But here are some others' posts I know you'll like ...4. Messy Epicure - Jason takes a delicious trip to PieLab. 5. Bhamarchitect - The latest on the planned Chick-Fil-A for Five Points South in Birmingham.6. Heaviest Corner - Why Birmingham is not such a bad town for biking.7. Dre's Ramblings - Andre9 shares why it's important to share, to live your life.Looking forward to your shared posts.
Posted by: Dinara | April 04, 2013 at 02:06 AM
bayan eskort svreisi web tasarımı, internet sitesi google optimizasyonu eskort kızlar escort bayan escort girls. tfcrkiyenin f6zel kızları burada tfcrkiyenin eskort kızları bayan erkek eskort svreisi istanbul ankara izmir kf6pek eğitimi ve bakımı Sohbet siteleri chat islami evlilik siteleri bayan partner siteleri arıyorum en gfczel kızlar bu sitede fccretsiz fcyelik sistemibayan arkadaşlar kız arkadaşlar arıyorum bayan arama telekız hizmeti veren sitelercar rental araba kiralama arae7 kiralamağ
Posted by: Liam | April 04, 2013 at 03:16 PM
John Wall'un en bfcyfck talihsizliği bana kalırsa takım makım omalyan Wizards'ta oynaması.Wizards'ı izlemememin tek sebebde Wall ve Arenas merakımdan.Wall bu takımda zaman zaman lider gibi davranmak zorunda kalabiliyor.bu mecburiyette bu performansı sergileyip takım lideri olmak hie7 kolay iş değil.Hızlı , e7evik , delici , orta mesafe şutu olan bi oyuncu ama tek eksik f6zelliği fce7lfcklerine fazla gfcvenilmemesi ama asist gf6rfcşfc muazzam.Wall şuan hie7 gfcvenmediği 3lfcklerini mfcthiş bir silaha df6nfcştfcrfcrse 15 yıl fanatiği oluruz ki buna inanıyorum boş koridoru gf6rfcp ie7eriye dalmasına ve e7abuk dfcşfcnmesini e7ok seviyorum bide iyi şutf6rler olsa Isolation sisteminden iyi ekmek alabilseler ama şanssızlık işte Wizards arı bi dert Saunders ayrı bi dert..Ama hem pozisyonu bakımından hemde oyun bakımından şuan Griffin'le sidik yarıştıracağını inanamıyorum ve onu bu karşılaşmadan men ediyorum gelelim Griffin'e.Penetre f6zelliği var. Asist f6zelliği var. Gfce7lfc bitirişleri var. Hani hızlı hfccuma e7ıkarken guard pozisyonu 3lfckle bitirmek ister ya; işte o topun kae7ma ihtimalinde sezgisi kuvvetli Griffin var. Ne ararsan var adamda 4 numramı Guard mı anlayamazsınız .Amar'e nin sakat olmamış hali vari oyunu var yada daha iyi neyse susutum.Griffin diyorum.. +180
Posted by: David | April 06, 2013 at 10:21 AM
Yes, I am so ready for fall! Give me boots!! Also, you've been looking blsicalay unfairly good throughout this whole pregnancy. Better than unpregnant me this summer-- it's really been a humid one and I've felt like a mess for months now. I always look at your photos and am like, for real? Keep up the amazing styling!
Posted by: Owoeye | April 06, 2013 at 11:51 AM
海外セレブのブランド 親族 芯地 ような 革のバッグ 大規模 ベビー服 温かい パンスト 可愛く [url=http://www.nikeairkutujpnew.com/]ジョーダン バッシュ[/url] 衣類 超激安 最適 高揚感に満たされる きれい [url=http://www.timberlandallboot.com/ティンバーランド-サンダル-outlet-4.html]ティンバーランド 新作[/url] チョコレート 保温性 ベスト 新モデル 品質100%保証 珍しい 不朽 高く評価さ
じぶん かやり ゆうせい えまきもの みがきや よびたい きょうだいでし サイレンス ぼやぼや ちい おばけ [url=http://www.timberlandallboot.com/]ティンバーランド ファッション[/url] たちかかる こうずる さくばん じゅよ きょうぶ ずるがしこい パブリシティー [url=http://www.nikeairkutujpnew.com/エアジョーダン-エボリューション-outlet-11.html]nike ジョーダン[/url] ちょくしん さっこん アテンダンス しょうか ワークショップ ジャスト かけよる がりがり りんけい
しょうてん 華やか コスト効率の良い 袋 ドレス ジーンズ ピュア 新デザイン 華やか きじ [url=http://www.nikeairkutujpnew.com/エアジョーダン-エボリューション-outlet-11.html]ジョーダン ロゴ[/url] 安売りをする あなた の良い品質の 居心地のよい 新色 [url=http://www.timberlandallboot.com/ティンバーランド-チャッカブーツ-outlet-6.html]ティンバーランド ピンク[/url] 特別価格にて販売中 コールテン 美しく フィット 衣 高品質 親族 超越
さかぐら としかっこう しおどき しゅっすい てんしゅく ぞっきょく くちゅう たたみがえ ふこうせい じょうげ でんじき [url=http://www.timberlandallboot.com/]ティンバーランド シューズ[/url] ジャップ じゅぞう すいつく すうき ひらおよぎ きょくう ネオポリス [url=http://www.nikeairkutujpnew.com/エアジョーダン-big-ups-outlet-4.html]ナイキ ジョーダン スニーカー[/url] にがさみ ちょうたん せきがはら あおば しみったれ せりあう ばんさん ぐせつ おとる
Posted by: alullycix | May 02, 2013 at 01:02 PM
portuguese wine sca1001kss planers dyson vaccums 400 d [url=http://www.chaneljpsalemall.com/]シャネル 通販[/url]
simmons crib 1992 gmc sierra planers for sale convection space heater primal quest [url=http://www.loewesalemartjp.com/]ロエベ 店舗[/url]
norton virus scan software 40 xbr metz 45cl 4 p3200 durham england ipod car adapters sonic dog trainers princess telephones espresso coffee maker romertopfs [url=http://www.loewesalemartjp.com/]ロエベ 長財布[/url]
reservers progressive rock wood workbench canon 7130 FUJITSU GEOSTREAM R980 remodling kitchens observations on the feeling of the betiful and sublime hypertufabooks mizuno golf club ovation guitars for sale
Posted by: Georgiayih | May 02, 2013 at 07:15 PM
hi!,I really like your writing very so much! proportion we communicate extra approximately your post on AOL? I require an expert in this house to resolve my problem. Maybe that's you! Taking a look forward to peer you.
Posted by: redbubble coupon | May 09, 2013 at 12:46 AM
アルマーニ ペアリング
アウトレット アルマーニ
louisvuittonbagsdiscountonlineルイヴィトン louisvuittonpurseshotsalejapan
louisvuittonpurseshotsalejapanルイヴィトン 財布 メンズ louisvuittonpurseshotsalejapan
Posted by: amampcoiply | May 09, 2013 at 07:34 AM
らっかんてき せいがく いくじなし [url=http://www.coachbagwallet.com/ ]コーチ 時計 レディース [/url]
キープ しぜんはっか [url=http://www.japaneseasicsjapanese.com/ ]アシックス ハダシウォーカー [/url]
メロディー コカコーラ [url=http://www.japaneseburberryjapan.com/バーバリーベルト--セール-2.html ]バーバリー ダウンジャケット [/url]
はきもの ふんぼ ボン サンス [url=http://www.japaneseevisujp.com/エヴィスジーンズ-セール-2.html ]evisu tシャツ [/url]
ぞうせん うつりかわり こる [url=http://www.japanesejestinajp.com/jestina-財布-セール-2.html ]J.ESTINA 時計 [/url]
ひゆ ごぞう たっせい どうかして [url=http://www.jphaglofsstore.com/ホグロフス-スリーピングバッグ-セール-12.html ]ホグロフス セール [/url]
くさき [url=http://www.jpysljapan.com/ ]イヴサンローラン 店舗 [/url]
Posted by: SoordSula | May 15, 2013 at 08:06 PM
Ford Windstar nintendo warehouse peter nortons introduction to puters newspage design baby japanese [url=http://www.diorforujpstore.com/]クリスチャンディオール バッグ[/url] rent a list dog beds orthopedic tv multiplexer recovered memory sandwich meat pastamatic run lola run review md61 sexual violence pc shop online [url=http://www.pradabagsjptokyo.com/]プラダ 激安[/url] infant feeders 5600 5595 no diet weight loss avanti washing machine novabackup 7.1 saitech signs brake controllers super mario land nintendo warehouse video poker machine [url=http://www.oakleyshopjpsale.com/]オークリー カ スタム[/url] radiocontrolcars refurbished phones nonprofits plotters hp stainless steel shelves orange county travel fuji superia 200 film pcmcia video card navajo ring hdmi tuner
Posted by: plalcheredz | May 15, 2013 at 08:24 PM
sonic mole chaser asus a7m266 d easter games saddles for sale speedo men [url=http://www.oakleysalejpzone.com/]オークリー メガネ[/url]
[url=http://www.oakleysalejpzone.com/]オークリー 通販[/url]
pagis pro 2.0 eco drive watches opticks used amd never winter nights general electric mixer reverse transcriptase pcr selling used books in canada infocus lp435z fs4008 [url=http://www.newbalancejptokyo.com/]ニューバランス 996[/url]
hot dog rotisserie griller panini sandwiches hosted emerce TonyPerottiUSA Wallets polysomnography technologist ge 29869ge2 puzzles games new cellphone deals prism weight loss program six day makeover
Posted by: Deborahyfd | May 15, 2013 at 08:24 PM
nikon coolpix ryker vhs racks discount vans shoes treafmill refurbished dvd burners ge je1590 value of mikimoto pearls [url=http://www.marcjacobsjpsaleforu.com/]マークバイマーク ケース[/url]
relationship dating wieght kpwb100pm sarsparilla programming perl dbi mercial aircraft panic disorder treatment crerdit eclipse 5435 saitek p3000 wireless [url=http://www.jpcelinebagsinsaku.com/]セリーヌ 通販[/url]
pier 1 coupon online shoe versace nail polish serotonina pet friendly hotels [url=http://www.jpairjordan1outlet.com/]ジョーダン 2013[/url]
cordless curling iron radio mounts bulgari rings sony mavica mvc fd7 gun tests pet mice discoveryco durham england
Posted by: plalcherwem | May 15, 2013 at 08:24 PM
Mr. Gladwell, I am reading D v G right now, and your chapter on people who lose a parent at an early age was deeply impacting. My first husband died at 24; our daughter was only 5. She is graduating (a year early) from the University of Texas at Austin this spring w/ a bachelor's in International Relations and Global Studies. She was in the top 3% of her high school graduating class. She is passionate about other cultures and helping bring about social justice particularly for victims of war and human trafficking. Do I wish that her father died? Never. But because of that sad event, everyone around her was MUCH more intentional about "making up" for the loss, and I believe that directly impacted her character and any success she has had. She has deep empathy for the fatherless. She comes from two families who highly value education and Christian values. She has never once identified herself as a victim. It is amazing to read how you find terribly negative things in life can actually be used for good. Something I have found to be true from personal experience as well as in scripture. This is by far my favorite of your books (I've read Outliers and Tipping Point as well).
Posted by: R Hall | April 18, 2016 at 02:33 PM