Basketball has been central to my life since childhood. At five years old, I practiced dribbling up and down stairs with both hands. I’d stay up late watching Chick Hearn narrate Lakers games as Magic and Kareem closed out victories. Recently, basketball has undergone a strategic revolution that parallels startup dynamics in fascinating ways.
The shift from dominant centers like Shaq, Wilt, or Kareem to “small ball” lineups featuring quicker players with long-range shooting abilities represents a fundamental disruption to decades of basketball orthodoxy. This willingness to abandon established formulas for riskier, innovative approaches mirrors how startups challenge entrenched market leaders.
This isn’t a data-heavy analysis in the style of Moneyball. Instead, it draws on my lifetime of basketball experience combined with years working in startups to explore the parallels between these seemingly different worlds.
The 2015 NBA Champion Golden State Warriors demonstrated that average-sized players (by NBA standards) who embrace risk and speed can defeat any opponent. Their style featured frequent three-point attempts, fast transitions, and aggressive defense. Notably, they often played without their seven-foot center Andrew Bogut—a significant departure from traditional championship strategies.
For decades, NBA champions relied on imposing centers to control the basket area, slow the game’s pace, and take high-percentage shots near the rim. This conservative approach proved successful for generations. However, the Warriors showed that with the right personnel, coaching, and skill development, this established model could be overcome.
Teams adopting small-ball strategies share a crucial trait with successful startups: they aren’t risk-averse. They pursue bigger rewards through calculated gambles—jumping passing lanes on defense and taking long-range shots for additional points. The startup parallel is clear: don’t succumb to analysis paralysis. Trust your team to execute bold moves consistently.
By repeatedly putting themselves in high-pressure situations, these teams build confidence that translates to performance when stakes are highest. When they miss shots, they learn quickly, adjust, and focus on the next opportunity. Taking action, even with imperfect information, beats holding the ball until opportunities expire or never entering the game at all.
The interplay between luck and skill applies equally to basketball and startups. When I’d make difficult shots in childhood games of HORSE, friends would dismiss it as luck. What they didn’t see were countless hours perfecting form, practicing scenarios, and competing in real games. While I certainly experienced lucky moments, they built upon a foundation of deliberate preparation.
Startups similarly require both skill and fortune. An exceptional team provides the foundation for success and will determine most outcomes. Yet behind every startup success story lies some element of serendipity—a chance meeting, last-minute opportunity, or unexpected market shift. Champions in both domains need baseline competence plus fortunate timing.
Momentum and speed separate the most successful startups from others. The initial excitement of prototyping a new idea can be intoxicating, but maintaining that energy through inevitable obstacles determines long-term outcomes. Small-ball basketball similarly builds and sustains momentum through high-risk/high-reward plays that energize teams.
Skilled players making bold shots and defensive plays keep their teams charged with confidence. Both basketball and business experience runs of success and failure. Maintaining belief in your strategy, skills, and teammates ensures momentum survives the inevitable downturns.
Does this mean startups should simply move fast, take risks, assemble skilled teams, and hope for luck? That’s part of the equation, certainly. But successful startups must also shorten customer feedback loops, provide exceptional support, and offer products people actually want. Nevertheless, the parallels between disruptive basketball strategies and startup methodologies offer valuable insights about challenging conventions, embracing calculated risks, and maintaining momentum through adversity.