As the NBA season rolls on, handicappers abound. Power rankings have become an industry of their own, giving fans and sportswriters fodder for discussion: Who’s No. 1?
Before the season began, I suggested this was the Cleveland Cavaliers’ year. That opinion was based on the fact that they had a phenomenal regular season last year; rolled undefeated through two playoff series immediately after; and were left with the bitter taste of defeat in their mouths after losing to the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference finals.
It was that bitter taste, I wrote , that would stay with them. Such disappointments have a way of motivating players.
Michael Jordan lost repeatedly to the Detroit Pistons—three years running, to be exact—before he and the Chicago Bulls broke through for six titles in the 1990s.
In the HBO documentary “Magic vs. Bird: A Courtship of Rivals”—currently airing, by the way, and well worth viewing—both players describe how disappointments at the hand of the other propelled them to greater personal achievements.
Defeat and disappointment can overtake you, or they c ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NBA
Article written by Tom Delamater
Trust Matches Talent for LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers
March 15th, 2010 by Tom Delamater Leave a reply »
Advertisement