Which tests character. Basketball is almost as much a mental game as it is physical. The reason teams wilt under pressure (Nowitzki), or rise to the occasion (Olajuwon, Mad Max, Cassell, Elie, etc.) is because of an underrated aspect of basketball - the will to win. The will to win hates to lose above all else. The will to win causes a player to go to desperate measures in desperate circumstances. Players with the will to win refuse to lose without using up every last bit of effort in at least a valiant effort to "leave it all out there on the floor". Urgency. A feeling that screams, "We will not go quietly into the night, we will not vanish without a fight." A feeling that understands the opportunity that is presenting itself. A feeling that will spurs one to grind out a win by whatever means necessary. Players are not remembered for their "continued excellence" (Stockton/Malone) nearly as much as a moment of inspiration in the face of defeat (1994-1995). When the chips are down, when the going gets rough, I want to see the heart of a champion pumping its red blood through our rocket veins. Our arteries should be filled with such passion that there is no mistaking our Desire. So what will it be? Will our success forever be dictated by the ebb and flow of our outside shot, or will we change our charmin soft mentality into one of a spartan warrior, ready to hold the line with 300? When will our players begin to allow their embarrassment to end? When will us Rockets fans be blessed with warriors with actual male genitals? I'm easy to please as a fan. Just show me some damn inspiration.
good post, sometimes I just don't understand why Yao doesn't dunk the ball even though he's under the basket with nobody guarding him.
of course they want to win... they just aren't confident all the time. confidence is the key. not everyone is confident in adelmans offensive scheme and it shows.
The truth hurts. Yao does not have it. TMAC does not have it. They need a leader better than Rafer or Juwan.
