Playing for Proverbial Silver or Bronze is Still Worthwhile

For those who follow Olympics to some degree, you might have heard of Usain Bolt. The last three Olympics, he was unstoppable. In the 100m and 200m, no one could challenge him. He is basically the sprint version of a dynasty

Barring injury, his opponents were all settling for silver or bronze at best and they knew it. But those opponents still trained and competed for the silver or bronze. And when they got on the podium, they were every bit as ecstatic and appreciative of their achievement as any gold medal winner.

So I think that rather than trying to beat Usain Bolt, analogized to the Warriors, we should consider the goal to be getting the proverbial Silver or Bronze medal. If next season, we can reach WCF and lose to Warriors, that is a proverbial Silver medal performance and worthy of celebration.

It isn't necessary to beat the Warriors. If we can make a claim to be 2nd or 3rd best, we can take joy in a very successful season next year.

 

No one is saying that you don't play to win. No one is saying to give less than maximum effort. Even when Usain Bolt was dominating, his competitors still trained and competed as hard as they could. But when they got to that Final 100m race and lost to him but still otherwise did very well, they still took pride in their Silver or Bronze Medal performances.

Justin Gatlin knew he wasn't going to beat Usain Bolt. He still tried his best. And when it was all over, while disappointed he didn't get Gold, he was still proud to be on the same podium as him twice. Do you think Gatlin was like, anything less than Gold is for losers, I might as well have just finished last in the final race??? Should Rockets just tank and become the Nets because anything less than first is the same as last even though we have a Silver or Bronze Medal equivalent team?

Yes the Rockets should strive for the "Gold Medal". But they are facing the proverbial Usain Bolt in the Warriors. If the Rockets can get to the podium, so to speak, and be the Justin Gatlin equivalent of the NBA, it is a proud and enjoyable achievement.

We need to accept the fact that Harden and Rockets are in Justin Gatlin position while the Warriors are in Usain Bolt position. And if we fall just short of the "Gold" but can be considered the 2nd or 3rd best team in the NBA, it is a great success worth celebrating.

 

Grades are not a good analogy. More than one person can get A's.

Another and perhaps more fitting analogy is Women's Olympic Hockey Tournament.

Everyone knows it's down to Canada vs USA. It doesn't mean other teams don't train hard or try their best for the upset. But it does mean that Bronze medal becomes a very noteworthy achievement because, like Warriors and Cavs, those two teams are clearly a tier above others.

And when it was all over and Switzerland won Bronze, it was still a very proud moment for all Swiss fans. No supporter was like, "They only got bronze what losers". Instead they were ecstatic.

Well the Rockets are exactly like the Swiss Women's National Hockey Team. Go for Gold but be happy with a Bronze.