Typical was a preseason game against Philadelphia, a young team trying to define itself with some talented young players who might or might not mesh. Philadelphia played well that night, and Winter had come away concerned about how good the 76ers were going to be. “Tex,” Jackson had said, “they’re going to be lucky if they win thirty games.”
“Phil,” Winter said, “they’re more talented than we are.”
“Tex,” Jackson said, “it’s not about talent—it’s about toughness of mind, and about a collective attitude. They’re going to be lucky if they win thirty games.” (In fact, they won thirty-won and were last in their division.
From "Playing for Keeps" by David Halberstam
