Mark Eaton - The Four Commitments of a Winning Team

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Publishers Cataloging-in-Publication data is available.

Print ISBN: 978-1-62634-532-4

eBook ISBN: 978-1-62634-533-l

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Printed in the United States of America on acid-free paper

18 19 20 21 22 23 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

First Edition

To Coach Tom Lubin,
who believed in me and dared
to dream big.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

U NTIL ONE IS COMMITTED, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too.

All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in ones favour all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way. I have learned a deep respect for one of Goethes couplets:

Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it!

WILLIAM HUTCHINSON MURRAY

The Scottish Himalayan Expedition (1951)

FOREWORD

I MET MARK EATON in the summer of 1984. I had recently been drafted by the Utah Jazz and was invited to a banquet in Salt Lake City where the team was celebrating their Midwest Division Championship, the first in franchise history. I knew very little about the NBA, and even less about the Utah Jazz. I arrived in town all eyes and ears. I didnt have the foggiest notion what to expect, especially since the locals had booed my selection at the draft a month earlier. Almost immediately this mountain of a man, who I recognized as Mark Eaton, walked toward me. I had been around big people my whole life, but this guy blocked out the sun! I guess I expected him to be bashful about his size, slightly stooped, or a little awkward. But he was none of those things. I also thought the leagues leading shot blocker would simply shake hands and move on.

Within moments, I found out how wrong I was. Mark greeted me with warmth and grace. If he had doubts about me, or the merits of the Jazzs choice, he didnt show it. I am certain he had never seen me bounce a ball, yet he welcomed me as if we had already shared a nine-year career and were life-long friends. Our meeting seemed more like a reunion than an introduction. Standing tall, he exuded confidence and intelligence. There was a lot more to this guy than a 7'4" frame. I liked him immediately.

That day Salt Lake City honored a team that accomplished one of the most difficult things in all of sports: They changed the culture of a franchise from losers to winners. It was no fluke. From that point forward, the Utah Jazz strung together a record twenty consecutive winning seasons and playoff appearances. Mark was a key to that success. All of us who followed were able to build on what that team and coaching staff had done. They had learned how to win and we would be the beneficiaries.

Mark is one of the very best teammates I ever had. He understood he would need every edge when facing the likes of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Ralph Sampson, and Hakeem Olajuwon. He was prepared for every practice. His preparation wasnt limited to watching film, scanning scouting reports, or making extra hook shots after practice; it was broader than that. He researched techniques that would help keep his body tuned up. He consumed foods that fueled his body and mind. He recognized the importance of getting enough sleep and developed a routine to ensure he was well rested. In short, he was the consummate professional who sought out every conceivable way within his control to give his team a chance to win.

Mark and I spent a lot of time together over the course of our careers. He was fun to talk to and a pleasure to be around. From our first road trip my rookie season to the last playoff game we played together, he would knock on my hotel door and say, Come on, lets go eat. We ate most of our meals together. He was great company, but boy did he draw attention in every restaurant from sea to shining sea. People would gawk and make comments, out loud, as though Mark couldnt hear them. I wonder how many times I heard Oh my God! or How is the weather up there? One time I just couldnt take it any more. After watching people stare, point, laugh, and make an obnoxious observation, I snapped. I began barking out a heated little lesson on manners and courtesy when Mark set his hand on my shoulder and said, Its okay Stocks; let it go. Im used to it. And he was! While I simmered through my cheeseburger, he enjoyed his nice nutritious meal and the rest of the evening without letting the intrusive comments get to him.

As I read Marks book, The Four Commitments of aWinning Team, it occurred to me that he practices what he preachesand always has. Preparation and commitment to excellence were the cornerstones of his basketball career, and this book is another example of both. The last of his Four Commitments is Protect Others, and he made a life in the NBA doing just that. Mark took care of his teammates on the court and off. That, in large part, is why we were successful and why he continues to be successful. As you might suspect, this book is an interesting and worthwhile read and I highly recommend it.

Mark Eaton is a man that you would want in a foxhole with you when all heck breaks loose. You can count on him, every day, all day. He took me under his wing thirty-four years ago and has never wavered in his commitment to me in any way. I am honored to be included as one of his friends.

JOHN STOCKTON

INTRODUCTION

E VERYONE LOVES a winning team. Everyone wants to be on a winning team. Yet teamwork seems to have taken a backseat to individual achievement. Today solo stats are lauded, and individual performance is highlighted and celebrated at the expense of teamwork and unity. This trend has caused a decline in team functionality in all sectors of society, from the basketball court and football field to the factory floor and boardroom.