Jamy Bechler

Providing Insights on Leadership and Success. Coach Bechler is a John Maxwell Leadership Team Member.

The Greatest Champion

photo credit: Nonstop Sports (YouTube)

“Bill Russell was the greatest champion in all of team sports.” (Adam Silver, NBA Commissioner)

When the great baseball Hall of Famer and African American icon Jackie Robinson died in 1972, his widow called Boston Celtics player Bill Russell and asked him to be a pallbearer at her husband’s funeral.

Click here to listen to the 6-minute version of this article on the “Success is a Choice” podcast network.

When asked why, she responded that Russell had been Jackie Robinson’s favorite athlete.

All of the pallbearers were Jackie’s former teammates with the Brooklyn Dodgers, except for Bill Russell.

It’s likely that Bill Russell was Jackie Robinson’s favorite athlete – not because he was so athletic or talented – but because he was a champion, both on and off the playing court.

Many consider Bill Russell one of the greatest teammates of all time.

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Episode 121: Kevin Eastman, Former NBA Coach & Executive

Kevin Eastman is a corporate speaker and an internationally-known basketball clinician who brings his knowledge and experience in sports to the business world. He speaks on various topics, including championship culture, teamwork, leadership, motivation and individual success.

Over his 40 years in the game, Kevin has coached basketball at all levels, including 13 years in the NBA. He was a top assistant to Doc Rivers with the 2008 NBA World Championship Boston Celtics, and most recently served as an assistant coach and Vice President of Basketball Operations with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Kevin was raised in Haddonfield, New Jersey, and attended the University of Richmond, where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He was a scholarship student-athlete at Richmond and in recognition of his unique qualities as a basketball player, the University created the Kevin Eastman Award. The award, which has been awarded just five times in program history, is given to a player who exemplifies the qualities of team leadership, dedication, and outstanding play. He was inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame at both Haddonfield Memorial High School and the University of Richmond.

In today’s episode, we discuss:
  • What makes the best the best
  • The absolute most important word needed for success
  • How to be truthful and “keep it real” with team members
  • Being the best assistant or #2 possible
  • … and so much more!!!

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Episode 112: Justin Kittredge, CEO of ISlideUSA

Justin Kittredge is the CEO and Founder of ISlide USA, which manufactures, markets, and sells premium custom athletic sandals.  The company was founded in 2013. In 2016, he appeared (along with NFL star Antonio Brown), on Shark Tank asking for an investment. Ultimately, he turned down an offer of $500,000. ISlide’s can be found on the feet of some of the world’s biggest celebrities, including Tom Brady, Ellen DeGeneres, Ice Cube, and Lebron James.  Justin spent a decade working as the Director of the Basketball Product Division at Reebok. Justin and his team worked to create, market and sell NBA basketball shoes throughout the United States and abroad. Justin was the Guinness World Records™ holder for the most completed basketball free throws in two minutes in 2010. By completing 64 free throws in 120 seconds, averaging a basket every 1.875 seconds, Justin beat the previously held record of 60 shots by Olympic silver medalist and basketball star, Laurent Sciarra, of Paris, France. He also holds the record for most completed blind folded free throws in two minutes and is in the process currently of getting a new record approved.

In Today’s Episode We Discuss: 

  • Boston sports figures
  • Turning down $500,000 on Shark Tank
  • The unique celebrity marketing strategy of ISlide
  • Hiring the right people
  • . . . and so much more!!!

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LOL Chicago Bulls

“The main ingredient to stardom is the rest of the team.” (Coach John Wooden)
“A leader is one who knows the way, shows the way and goes the way” (John C. Maxwell)

Have you seen the Chicago Bulls recently?  LOL

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