Evolution has passed you by...

Believe it or not, there was a time in which the NBA did not have a 3 point shot. It's true, look it up. Prior to the 1979 season, there was no such thing as the 3 point shot. As of 2016, the league has gone completely 3 crazy, to the point where championships are being decided not so much by how talented a player may be (although it still pays to have a superstar) it's whether or not they can shoot the 3 pointer. We're seeing 6'11 guys like Anthony Davis learning how to shoot the trey, and GMs are building teams that are built around the perimeter. 

We've all marveled at the greatness of now 2-time MVP Stephen Curry and his video game like display of offensive wizardry and superhuman marksmanship from beyond the arc (and in some cases half court). As a matter of fact, he has been largely credited for how the league has morphed from the land of the giants to a jump shooting exhibition the likes of which have never been seen on the game's highest level. Teams that cannot shoot the 3 aren't long for success anymore. Centers are virtual dinosaurs, and the days of the Charles Oakley-like enforcers are passe. However, not everyone feels ready to embrace the new-age NBA, as evidenced by former player Tracy McGrady. For those who may not remember how great of a player "T-Mac" was, here's a hint:

Recently, upon being asked of his opinion of Curry winning the award, T-Mac felt the need to have his "Hey you kids, get off my lawn!" sermon on the Mount...

"For him to be the first player to get this unanimously, it just tells you how watered down our league is," he said. "Think about when [Michael Jordan] played, Shaq,  I mean, those guys really played against top-notch competition, more superstars, I think, on more teams than it is in our league today."

Now, he has been joined by the chorus of one Sir Charles Barkley, who has long championed the cause of opposing the league allowing teenagers to be drafted (never realizing that it wasn't until 10 years ago when the league instituted a rule that players had to be one year removed from high school before joining) and thinking that led to the "watering down" of the league. They believe that these players do not possess the all-around skills to become great players by coming out so early. This is ironic considering that McGrady, who never played in college, became a great scorer and we've seen LeBron James, Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant become first-ballot Hall of Famers without ever having to deal with March Madness. 

Even worse, the older generation seems to really have a problem with the evolving 3-point assault on the game. Yes, it has impacted the center position and makes it even more of a necessity to have great perimeter players, but think about this: change is inevitable in all walks of life. The advent of technology has changed our healthcare, education and private sector jobs. It has impacted how we communicate with loved ones and has created a bevy of careers not once thought of even 20 years ago (until 10 years ago, there was no need for a "social media director"). Sports is a microcosm of life, and when change occurs, we have to understand that it is not to destroy the traditions and values that we hold dear, but to show that there are different means to reach the end goal. 

Take one look at our political theater, and you will notice the "Silent Majority" who support Donald Trump still holds on to what they consider traditional mores, not realizing that the rest of the world has advanced into new ideas and new levels of understanding. It's why more moms are pulling their kids out of football with the knowledge of terms like CTE, and why we are no longer allowed to smoke in a metal tube going 30,000 feet in the air. We may laugh at guys like Barkley and McGrady for their views, but ask yourself: are you still living in the past, unwilling to embrace the future?

A rising tide...

A while back I mentioned about the importance of having a strong culture of community, which the Golden State Warriors have displayed in the midst of two-time MVP Stephen Curry's recent injury. Many pundits on television declared that they did not need him to return prematurely in their current second round series against the Portland Trailblazers, and for the most part they may be right. However, for anyone who noticed last night at the Moda Center, the return of the league's most explosive player (notice I didn't say valuable, more on that later) came back at the most opportune time, and when they needed him most.

No, not because they were down quickly to the Blazers 16-2, it was more than that. There was a sense that this Warriors team, which has had to deal with the season long burden of not only trying to defend their championship, but to win the NBA-record 73 wins, was wearing them down both physically and mentally. Even if Curry didn't score a single point (more on that later too) the fact that they saw their leader come back Willis Reed-style (Google please) was the lift they desperately needed. What occurred afterwards was one of the greatest offensive displays we've seen in NBA playoff history as Curry dropped 17 points in overtime as they won to take a 3-1 series lead. It was way more than just a sixth man performance the likes of Detlef Schrempf (Google please) has never seen, it was about how just his presence alone gave his team the boost they had been searching for. Golden State regained their championship swagger, and Curry's jaw-dropping performance simply provided evidence of such. Even Portland's owner Paul Allen was left dumbfounded. 

Many people will point to the fact that despite Curry winning a second straight MVP, that because of the players around him he isn't deserving of the award. I argue that it's because of his play making abilities that it has lifted up the performances of a Draymond Green or Klay Thompson. Some will say "What about LeBron?" While there is not a more dominating presence in the league since Jordan laced them up, James has created a culture of dependency to which everyone (including his hand picked coach) defers to him. He could not get that type of power in Miami, which is why he's trying to "win one for the 'Land." From owner to general manager to the barkeep outside of Quicken Loans Arena, they all rely on him to be their deliverer of the Larry 'O Brien Trophy. Curry, on the other hand, has been largely responsible for being the conductor of a system that breeds confidence from the 12th man on the bench that even they can play a large role in winning a title. That is what Jordan did for the Chicago Bulls, he made guys like Steve Kerr and John Paxson major players during their title runs of the 1990s. So when we talk about valuable, it's not about the individual performance, it's who is the person that has been most influential in raising the performance of everyone around them, even when they aren't there? Again, even if Stephen Curry had not registered a single point, guys like Green, Thompson and Harrison Barnes gained that extra umph needed to push themselves over the hump. 

What is your presence at your job, class, or team? Are you capable of being that person that adds value to whatever task needs to be done, or do you drain the atmosphere?

When culture matters...

It lasted all of 18 minutes...but it may have infinite value...

That's how long last year's and the probable favorite MVP for this year Stephen Curry appeared on the court for yesterday's playoff game against the Rockets. He had arguably his worst game of the season, and left with a sprained left knee, and as of this time he is scheduled to have an MRI, which is never good news.

Of course, the instant Twitter reaction became the land of second guessers:

"They never should've played him"
"The Rockets had no chance to win anyway, why risk it?"
"This is going to end their chances of a repeat!"

We love to live life in the rear view mirror, and hindsight is always 20/20. However, in this case, having him out there was about more than just trying to defeat a slightly lesser team in Houston. As the second half proved, this may have been a window into displaying the character of this team. The Golden State Warriors made an NBA-playoff record 21 3-pointers en route to victory, and the way they rallied around their fallen leader is more about the culture and community that this team has more than anything else.

Life is often defined by how a person deals in crisis, not when everything is clicking well. Golden State has developed a culture of unity that is able to withstand keeping on without Curry. Now although we don't know what will be the extend of his injury, or even if it will end their title run this year, I believe that they will continue to be successful because they focus on the bigger goal and work together to do so? Can you imagine the Cleveland Cavaliers holding on without LeBron James? Just look at what happened to the Oklahoma City Thunder without Kevin Durant last year. They came apart.

Bottom line: A great team is enhanced by their culture, which the San Antonio Spurs have mastered to a T. While "fans" all over are mourning the potential loss of Curry for several weeks, what we must be reminded of is that they have the structure in place to handle such a setback.

So you're not good enough...?

Above is the following analysis for then Davidson combo guard Stephen Curry prior to him being drafted in the NBA. As a matter of fact, it was the first point that scared the then-GM of the Minnesota Timberwolves David Kahn from drafting him when he instead chose two point guards ahead of Curry. While Ricky Rubio has emerged as a starting guard on a potential playoff team, the other, Johnny Flynn, is out of the league. And what happened to Mr. Curry, you may ask?

Well, that last point of him relying too much on his outside jump shot is one of the reasons he is the league's reigning MVP of the World Champion Golden State Warriors. Despite the doubts cast upon him by many that last year's title was a "fluke" (I'm looking at you Doc Rivers!) Curry has continued to defy the odds and has supplanted even LeBron James in the minds of many as the best player in the NBA. That said, if you just read the scouting report on Curry coming out of college you would think that he had no chance of being successful. He wasn't even offered a scholarship at his father's alma mater Virginia Tech, but did not allow that to deter him from reaching his goals. To this day he continues to demonstrate what one can do when they don't allow the views of others to get his way.

If you thought that report was harsh, take a look at this one...

"Very disingenuous — has a fake smile, comes off as very scripted and has a selfish, me-first makeup.  Always knows where the cameras are and plays to them.  Has an enormous ego with a sense of entitlement that continually invites trouble and makes him believe he is above the law — does not command respect from teammates and will always struggle to win a locker room . . . Lacks accountability, focus and trustworthiness — is not punctual, seeks shortcuts and sets a bad example.  Immature and has had issues with authority.  Not dependable.” 

Now I don't know what a "fake smile" has to do with being able to read a Cover-2 defense, but what I do know is that this was the scouting report about a quarterback facing his own questions about his ability to be a championship athlete at the highest level. Unlike Curry, he came in with a history of poor decisions (throwing a stolen laptop out of a window) and people wondered if he had the mental makeup that other great players of his ilk had...

It was Cam Newton, and the report was written by Pro Football Weekly's Nolan Nawrocki. While many derided the report as racially motivated, Newton has taking his tremendous talent to the next level, and is largely considered the MVP of the league up until this point. Despite the naysayers, Newton continues to defy critics and in spite of some of his end zone antics (to which I respond, if you don't want to see him dance, don't let him score!) he has emerged as the unquestionable leader of the Carolina Panthers.

Curry and Newton are just two examples of what happens when people don't allow the views of others to impact their destiny. Whether it was Walt Disney (fired from his newspaper for having "no imagination) to Meryl Streep (called "too ugly" for the role in King Kong) you can't let what others think of you to get in your way. The only limit is in your mind, and the second you decide to remove those limits, watch how our life will change. Don't let the views and reports of others to limit your purpose in life. Besides, you never know when your paths will cross with someone who also hurdled over first impressions, no matter how wrong they were. Defy the odds!

Dear NBA Fan...

Every so often I believe that instead of making a statement to the general audience in these blogs, a simple letter will suffice. In this instance, a letter to a particular group of people who sometimes misses the bigger picture, or in today's case, the smaller one. Consider it a modern day "Dear John" composition...

Dear NBA Fan,

I know that after what seemed for like an eternity that the NBA Finals takes place this evening out in Oakland. Over the past several days you have seen non-stop analysis and the breaking down of everything except which ticket ushers sport the best outfits. At this rate if I hear one more story about Riley Curry showing up at the post-game presser...but I digress.

Yes, I understand that you are all excited to see which superstar is going to come out on top. If it's Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors (who I'm picking btw) you all have your memes in queue about how LeBron James came up short yet again. If it's Cleveland I'm sure you are all set to (reluctantly) praise Cavaliers' owner Dan Gilbert for somehow pulling this all off and ready to label the Warriors as choke artists. Should the Cavs win, I'm sure ESPN will have weeks and weeks of photos showing Cleveland fans finally at peace that their city won a title.

However, I'd like for you to take a look at what will be the major reasons either team has a chance to win the Larry O' Brien trophy. Those reasons are: Festus Ezeli, Shaun Livingston, and Matthew Dellavedova. If these guys don't exactly ring a bell to all of you casual fans, I ask you hearken back to yesteryear to names like John Paxson, Avery Johnson, and Kenny Smith (the last one of TNT and reality show fame). These guys were central figures in helping Michael Jordan, Tim Duncan, and Hakeem Olajuwon in winning championships, yet how often do they get mentioned as playing such a pivotal role?

Yes, we know that it's the stars that get all of the glory and commercial fame when their teams win it all, but for all of you who are going out on your local blacktop and shouting "Curry" every time you jack up a 3 pointer, I wonder how often you think about the role that the lesser known players have in helping these guys accomplish their penultimate goals? I'm a basketball coach, and I've yet to hear one of my players yell out "Shumpert" when making a shot. Yet I tell them after each successful play, make sure you tell that teammate who made the pick for you 'Thanks' or the guy who hustled for the loose ball on the floor while you were running around looking to get open.

Do we ever take the time to think about those who may not have a glamorous role yet play an vital role in the success of the overall operation? Have you thanked that janitor that always makes sure your office is clean, or that overworked and underpaid assistant who stays late to make sure your presentation is successful the next day? I'm reminded of what it says in 1 Corinthians 12:12 "The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ."  Each of us has a role to play, and instead of worrying about someone else's role, let us focus on our own, that God may be glorified.

To the NBA fan who thinks it was Jordan alone who won those titles, where would he be without Paxson, Steve Kerr, Trent Tucker, and Bill Wennington among others? A guy who scored a lot of points but had no rings to show for it. Everyone has to play their part in life so that the goal can be reached, and I hope you take a more sincere look at those guys who aren't looking to fill up the scoreboard, but making sure they do their job so that the stars to theirs.

Maybe, just maybe, my fellow NBA fan, one day you go onto the court, hear someone make a pick, and yell out the words "Mozgov!"