Why the Brooklyn Nets Are Using Football Helmets This Season

This season, the Brooklyn Nets introduced something you wouldn’t expect on a basketball court—football helmets. Inspired by Ohio State and Michigan’s football traditions, the helmets came with a unique twist: achievement stickers.

The idea is simple but powerful. Nets players earn stickers for meeting personal milestones, upholding team principles, and embodying their core values. It’s not about flashy stats like points or assists; it’s about staying true to the process.

As coaches, this is a great reminder that our focus should extend beyond the box score. Wins and stats are important, but how your players approach the game—discipline, teamwork, effort, and execution—matters even more.

Here’s how you can apply this mindset with your team:

1️⃣ Define Core Values: Identify principles like effort, communication, or defensive hustle.

2️⃣ Celebrate the Process: Recognize players for actions that align with these values, not just their scoring output.

3️⃣ Track Progress: Use tools like helmet stickers or team boards to make achievements visible and motivating.

Basketball is a game of details, and success comes from committing to the process every day. Let’s teach our players to chase excellence—not just numbers.

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Here's a link to the Brooklyn Nets Instagram post talking about this:

Click Here

Keep working,

Reid