Why do we love basketball? There’s plenty of sports out there, why this one? What makes this game so special?
It’s been never easy. Basketball is a team game, first and foremost. Though, it allows itself to spectacular individual brilliance as well.
Money too often influences that brilliance. The true test is when money is possible, but not taken. The riches are left behind for the rewards of a team.
Glory is far more rewarding than fortune. It’s that principle that has always drove the best to become great. The best want to be the absolute best, monetary rewards becomes secondary.
It’s about sacrifice above all. It’s about knowing that you are more than just yourself. It’s about winning above all. That’s the most important thing.
A player places himself into a program and an environment for the better of both. A player wants the success, at any cost. Even if that cost is his own personal success.
That’s what is called integrity and honor. Many players in the sport that is basketball claim to have both, but few truly do. It’s not about talk, but actions.
To be apart of something larger than yourself, to be apart of a team, that is greatness. Not just in name, but to be apart of a unit that is a collection of pieces.
The collection of everyone’s heart, will, strength and passion can be unbeatable. The sum of the parts is always stronger than when they’re separate. Strength in numbers indeed…
The ends may be selfish, but the path must never be. The path and the journey is what it’s all about. There are no shortcuts. Only the most adamant about the virtue of the path will prevail.
There will be setbacks, no doubt. Nothing worthwhile ever comes easy, as true champions of basketball always learn. The road is always brutal, but would it be worth it if it wasn’t?
If the goal was easy to achieve, would it even be a goal? The concept is to achieve what few have ever done. There has to be a reason for that.
The goal can’t be achieved by one man. It takes agreement of souls and blending of minds. Teammates must share in success and defeat if either is to mean anything in the long run.
The long run is what the goal is. It’s the entire and whole shebang. It’s what the sprained ankles, long nights, early practices and the pain are all for. The idea of winning, that’s what it is.
The championship parades, the banners, retired numbers, hall of fame inductions and all of the rest of it grow from this. Winning and success grow from this. It’s above one’s self and one’s own personal ambition.
There’s only one word to describe all that it takes to win a championship in the NBA. One word that has applied to Russell, Kareem, Magic, Bird, Michael and Timmy. One word that equals maybe the greatest act a player can do in the NBA or all of professional sports.
Commitment.
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