In this episode of Bulldog and Friends, host Bulldog sits down with longtime Pacific Grove basketball coach and athletic director Dan Powers, affectionately known as DP. Together, they dive deep into the evolution of basketball culture—from youth leagues to the NBA—highlighting how values like toughness, effort, and adaptability remain at the heart of a successful team. DP reflects on his own coaching journey, family life, and lessons learned over two decades on the sidelines. He shares candid thoughts on practice habits, game-day preparation, the importance of instilling effort over perfection, and why he believes basketball reveals character in a way few sports do. There’s also a lively back-and-forth on the Celtics’ playoff struggles, the rise of team-first basketball, and the challenges of balancing competitive play with player development. This conversation isn’t just about X’s and O’s—it’s a heartfelt reflection on mentorship, leadership, and how coaches shape culture both on and off the court.
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