The NBA finals featured two terrific teams with the Toronto Raptors prevailing over the Warriors in Game 6 of the 2019 NBA Championship. Congratulations, Raptors!
Though my Golden State Warriors came up short, I feel nothing but deep respect and honor for their efforts to earn their third consecutive NBA title and fourth in five years. They left it all on the basketball court.
Here’s what I admire about this series:
- The teams demonstrated mutual respect for each other–you could see it in the way each team comported themselves.
- The reigning champs didn’t act like chumps. The Warriors didn’t storm off the court at the conclusion of Game 6–they stayed to congratulate the Raptors. This is great sportsmanship. Our world needs to see more of this.
- Injuries are part of the game. The Warriors were beset with injuries during this year’s NBA Finals. I’m proud of their courage and determination to hang in there and go for a third consecutive NBA title in spite of tremendous adversity. A team with lesser character would not have done as well.
- With the Warriors having earned 5 trips to the NBA finals in as many years, they have played nearly one full season of additional basketball just in terms of playoff games. That has to take a toll mentally and physically to play at that level.
- Andre Iguodala (Warriors) did a faceplant during one game. The coach of the Raptors, Nick Nurse, rushed to the floor to check on Andre. Very classy. A great display of humanity and respect.
It doesn’t take a lot to stand out in sports or business.. It’s the little things that contribute to making a big difference. And, that’s the lesson for all of us.
Again, congratulations to the Toronto Raptors and my friends and colleagues in Canada.
Thought for the week:
“Life is ten percent what happens to you and ninety percent how you respond to it.” – Lou Holtz
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