True Team
I am fairly confident I have mentioned my devotion to the Golden State Warriors. This year was no exception – but this year I paid closer attention to what was happening in good times and not so good times. In 2019 they were in last place and broke the record for number of games lost by an NBA team. The sports pundits said its over – Golden State is done as a championship team. During that year and the following season; they were without key players, Klay Thompson was injured and there were doubts he would ever play again. Kevin Durant was hurt and moved on to another team. Steph Curry was in and out as well with injuries, and so 2020 was a mediocre year at best.
This season started off in an amazing way – they quickly moved into second place and held that position in the Western conference through year end. The long-awaited return of Klay Thompson began in January but the three Splash brothers, as they are known, only played 11 minutes together before more injuries took place and they started to slide to third place behind two stellar teams. By now, you know how the season ended- to perhaps the happy (and not so happy) surprise of commentators and other teams.
What was it that brought them to the moment when it was clear they had done it again? As I mentioned, I began to watch more closely to how they play, how they treat each other, and what makes them different than other teams in the league.
Of course, they have many players with stellar talent and incredible commitment to improving each time they are on the court. But let’s face it, the NBA is full of stellar talent. They have a coach that is remarkable in many ways and is respected by colleagues and competitors. But lets face it, the NBA doesn’t have coaches that are not gifted ..or they don’t have them for long. 😊
For me, what I saw again and again this year was an enormous amount of unselfishness on and off the court. On the court it was giving everyone the ball…even when it looked like the perfect shot was available, Klay passed the ball. As the rookies took the floor many times and drove the winning game home- there was cheering by the senior players and true expressions of joy at the performance of the new kids on the block. There was coaching and encouragement in abundance in great moments and when players were upset with themselves. Even the best three point shooter God ever made (I want that on a bumper sticker), was clearly tickled as Jordan Poole began to show up as a great three point shooter himself.
There is a kind of magic and “anything can happen” feeling when they take the court. Their comradery and excellence far exceed what other teams with amazing players, seem able to pull off.
Watching the end of the series, and Steph Curry sitting down on the court, balling his eyes out, moved me to tears as well. And they gave me some deep insight this year on how to be in tough times. Here is what I learned:
Never give up – in a matter of seconds your whole game can change.
Support everyone – no matter what – and live like you know it takes an entire village to move us into the next stage of development. (because it does)
Even in your greatest moments, know there is someone standing next to you that has equally great moments to offer everyone- celebrate that!
Be grateful for everything – its all for the highest good.
Congrats to our mighty and not very tall Warriors and to everyone reading this – basketball fan or not, who lives the above four principles every day. You know who you are!
