Izzo always has urged his players to take ownership on the court and be demanding of one another in the same ways he is. A few years ago, he tongue-in-cheek pushed Miles Bridges to become more of “a jerk” – in other words, getting in teammates’ faces when they make mistakes or play with a lack of effort. Bridges, Winston and Tillman – among others the past three or four years – all could be categorized as “nice guys” who, while possessing an intense competitive edge, would often defer that component of leadership.
Source: Detroit Free Press