"To be successful you have to be selfish, or else you never achieve. And once you get to your highest level, then you have to be unselfish. Stay reachable. Stay in touch. Don't isolate."- Micheal Jordan
Life is Basketball- each of us is holding our own "basket-ball", before we can drive to the basket for a lay-ups or dunks there are so many defensive stops that we might definitely encounter- the steals and block shots called "Obstacles and Roadblocks".
We only have thin chances for an open shot called "Big Break" or taking a free throw shot called "Opportunity".
We need to do a smart play decision from both ends of the floor from defense called "Planning" (preparing for every worse) to offense called "Execution" (giving the best shot).
We can do either a fastbreak (working-smart) or a half court play (working-hard) but we cannot do it easily on our own without the Assists by our Family, the Alley-oops by our Friends or the Pick-and-Roll by our Loved-One.
" Talent Wins Games, Teamwork Wins Championships"
I love watching NBA basketball every morning or evening depends on my work schedule. It is my sort of relaxation in the evening after a long-hours of tiring and stressful work. I could feel the passion and energy of the players every time they are on the court to play and they inspire me as individual to be like them on the court of my own career. I have learned so much in watching NBA- with the coach and to the play they made, with the team and to the players they have and even with the referees and to the call they whistle.
Win or Go Home- it is a matter of how you compete in every game in front of you whether your number 1 or number 8 seed. Don't ever underestimate yourself if you have the heart of the champion because according to M.Jordan- "Heart is what separates the great from the good".
The 2008 NBA Finals between the LA Lakers and the Celtic Pride of Boston, the season where Number 24 Kobe Bryant won his first MVP trophy (07-08 season) after his 11th season in NBA. It is the first finals of Lakers after the era of Shaq and Kobe with their 3 peat.
You can feel the intensity of how the Lakers wanted badly the championship because at stake are Banner Number 15 to get closer to their rival Celtics Banner 16 (most in NBA franchise), Kobe's ring number 4 to tie with former tandem Shaq and Phil Jackson's ring Number 10 to break the tie from Celtics Great Coach Red Auerbach. And given the fact that the opponent is Boston Celtic itself- long-time team rivalry relived.
Game 4- (BOS 2-1 LAL)- Staple Center Lakers Homecourt, in 3rd Qtr Laker team ballooned with their biggest lead to 24 pts over Celtics. Little by little the Boston stormed back in 4th Qtr and the 24 pts deficit lead by Lakers erased by the Celtics. Number 24 Kobe Bryant could not recover the 24pt lead and instead loss in their home floor.
Being an MVP is not guaranteed to be called CHAMPION-
Game 6- (BOS 3-2 LAL)- June 17, Boston 1 win away for Banner 17. The Big 3 of Pierce, Garnet and Allen showed their toughness and talent and gave Kobe and the Lakers a bitter taste of 39 pts lead shameful defeat.
"They (Boston) showed us the Blueprint of our Championship"- Kobe Bryant
All the failures are the pieces of Puzzle of our Success. We have to accept and understand those pieces in order for us to solve the puzzle. Do not be weary if there are lots of pieces in front of you because it means that you are solving not just a simple puzzle but a real Obra of your SUCCESS!
"I can accept failure, but I cannot accept not trying"- Micheal Jordan
"Like life, basketball is messy and unpredictable. It has its way with you, no matter how hard you try to control it. The trick is to experience each moment with a clear mind and open heart. When you do that, the game--and life--will take care of itself."- Phil Jackson
After the 2008 NBA Finals Kobe and The Lakers truly learned and understand the value of their loss in Boston and became the real Champions, Not Once but Twice (from 2009-2010).
"Some people want it to happen, Some wish it would happen but Others make it happen!"- Micheal Jordan
