The_Matrix
Jump Program
I believe that this year's NBA playoffs have shown that heart is the most important criteria by which a players future sucess can be judged.
Utah's solid style of play rolled over the Warriors' controlled chaos. The Warriors' flashy, talented, B-Diddy and SJax both lost their cool multiple times. How did the Jazz overcome Deron William's 1-11? Derek Fisher, with championship experience and and overflowing heart from the ordeal with his family, shoots 7-10, 4-5 from downtown, shows no reaction to Davis' multiple elbows to the face.
Now there's a guy who's classy like Steve Nash. Both are veteran team leaders. Both took hard fouls and cheap shots, yet keep coming back for more, with nary a complaint. Both refuse to trash their opponents to the media, despite being elbowed, shoved, kneed in the groin, hip checked, etc. etc. etc. Both are proven clutch players.
See where this leads? Where exactly are the talented, physical freak, superstar, highlight reel players right now?
Kobe's fishing.
T-Mac sobbed and whispered, "I can't do this anymore."
VC is on the brink of elimination, once again shooting 35% in the playoffs. Injured D-Wade couldn't pull together the veterans for another run.
Carmelo Iverson crushed by Spurs.
And...
Lebron: Taking advantage of the terrifying Wiz/Nets combo
Amare Stoudemire: Suspended for the most important game of his life.
Heart, leadership, moxie, mojo, whatever you want to call it, it's what champions have. Spurs have it. Pistons have it. Jazz have a little bit of it in a Fish.
Nash has it. He's proved his clutch in individual games but hasn't the right opportunities to prove it in the postseason. The Nash and Dirk (doesn't have it) combp on the Mavs wasn't going to lead to a championship. Two years ago our bench was too thin and JJ got hurt. Last year Amare and KT were out. This year all the stars are aligned...
And finally, Amare Stoudemire. He's got all the talent and the physical gifts. He fought through the surgery and it gave him some persepective on life and sports. But, he came straight out of high school and he's not a veteran yet. He's shown immaturity in this series and throughout his career. That's all part of the growing process. Now the media complaints and suspension.
Amare's got some heart but he needs to develop it more. He's shown self-control, unlike the Warriors. When he was two technicals away from a suspension this season, D'Antoni sat him down and set it straight, No More T's. Amare didn't get another T after the talk, right? Furthermore Amare said he didn't react to Bowen's kick initially since he ddn't want to hurt the team in-game. Good start, probably a mistake to openly call the Spurs dirty to the media.
I don't know where I'm going with this, but does anyone agree?
