Rehabilitating Oden
Sometimes all it takes is to know that someone truly believes in you.
As I watched the Heat dismantle a slightly injured Spurs team a few things caught my attention.
- Kawhi Leonard is the Spurs MVP.
- Why is there not more praise for Greg Oden’s comeback in the media?
- LeBron James and Dwyane Wade are just what the doctor ordered.
As the game went on, I really started paying attention to the Miami Heat players. Not really their play or execution, but how they treated Greg Oden. It was a telling sign. At one point in the game, D-Wade broke down Manu and went up for the open baseline jumper. Would have been an easy shot, but he drew in the center and dished to Oden for an easy dunk.
Oden then ran (at full speed) down the floor and rotated to pick up Tim Duncan. He was late and fouled him, raising his hand to say ‘my bad’. Then Wade tapped him and said “Don’t worry about it, just stay aggressive.” — #realchampionship.
Heat won the game and there was only a little buzz about Oden’s performance. Not an impressive stat line but one person in particular took notice of his efforts.
“I don’t know what kind of shape he’s in, but I was impressed,” Popovich said. “That’s a big body inside. He can plug up some holes in there, block some shots, get some boards, be there for dump-offs. He could be a help. I don’t know what his ceiling is, but I was impressed with him.” — See more at: http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/heatzone/2014/01/26/spurs-coach-gregg-popovich-impressed-by-heat%E2%80%99s-greg-oden/#sthash.g23yngGX.dpuf
That’s a big statement from a coach who knows.
What happens when you find some real friends who believe in you? You find a few new reasons to smile.
Brotherhood of the Rings
I have to say I have a new level of respect for LBJ and Flash. You can see that they really care about Greg Oden. I mean, you kind of have to cheer for the guy. With several surgeries, years of rehab and mountains of unrealized potential defining his career, how special would it be to see him get a championship ring.
But let’s just say they don’t win.
Oden gets hurt or comes up short in the NBA Finals.
Oden still wins.
Why? Simple. He has the greatest player in the NBA as a friend and someone who is willing to help him over that hurdle if it comes.
We all need someone to believe in us
There is a catalyst to success that rang true with the legendary Chicago Bulls teams of the 90's. Michael Jordan was a ruthless competitor. Pippen as well. But Jordan cared about his team so much that ordinary players played at the height of their ability…because MJ and Pip believed in them.
The same is happening in Miami. Oden found a home. Oden found some real friends. Guys who will push him and never blame him for his shortcomings. You can see it in his face. It’s called being relaxed.
I can only imagine how comforting it is to hear real superstars truthfully support you like…
“Hey Greg, for real man, don’t worry about missing shots, or not having your wind, we’re just happy to have you out there playing with us.”
–Lebron James and Dwyane Wade
Smiles all around gentlemen, smiles all around.
I tend to write about sports, logos, branding and brandy while I’m designing. Say hello @cedfunches
