Power, properly understood, is the ability to achieve purpose. It is the strength required to bring about social, political, or economic changes. In this sense power is not only desirable but necessary in order to implement the demands of love and justice. One of the greatest problems of history is that the concepts of love and power are usually contrasted as polar opposites. Love is identified with a resignation of power and power with a denial of love. What is needed is a realization that power without love is reckless and abusive and that love without power is sentimental and anemic. Power at its best is love implementing the demands of justice. Justice at its best is power correcting everything that stands against love.

I think I’m starting to figure things out. We have the scorers, but at the same time, we have to figure out how we can complement each other on the court. Right now, it’s times when we both pay attention too much when we’re on the court together. But as soon as one of us comes out, we say, ‘OK, it’s time to be aggressive.’ We’ve got to find a balance when we’re both on the court. Who’s going to be aggressive, and if we’re both going to be aggressive, how do we keep each other in the flow of the game? Tonight was a good step for that. We both felt in a good rhythm.

Today’s athlete, perhaps more than those of yesteryear, requires particular care and cultivation. He wants to feel involved, craves communication. Smart, 46, says he grasps the significance…. “I constantly talk to guys. I have to,” Smart says. “Maybe if I was Phil Jackson or Pat Riley or Larry Brown or Jerry Sloan — a coach who has been successful for a long time — maybe I wouldn’t have to. But I think it’s important that I do.