What kids can learn from NBA Finals?
- Brad Zellner
- Jun 10, 2015
- 5 min read
The 2015 NBA Finals are quite possibly the most exciting in recent years. The Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavs are trying end a championship drought and bring a championship to their respective cities. There has been no major sports championship in Cleveland since the Browns won the Super Bowl in 1964. The Warriors have not won an NBA title since 1975. Whichever team wins will help erase years of disappointment for both franchise and city.
The first 3 games of the NBA Finals have been great to watch and not just because the teams battling are two of the best in the NBA. What I enjoy most about this series is there are so many positive things a young athlete can learn from watching the Cavs and Warriors play. There are always teachable moments when sports are involved but the Cavs/Warriors games have had so many in the few games they have already played. I hope that parents and coaches are taking the opportunity to speak with their young athletes about all of the good things happening in the series.
Let me start with the most obvious learning tool for myself, LeBron James. When LeBron decided to leave the Miami Heat and re-sign with the Cavs, not many people thought he would have the team in this position in the first year. It seems the Cavs are a Murphy's Law team this year. Anything that can go wrong seems to be happening to the Cavs. Anderson Varejao (starting center) has been injured all season. The Cavs are also missing two all-stars in Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love with no chance to return until next season. The rest of the team is feeling the strain of a long season and injuries seem to be a part of each game. I do not want to talk about the play of LeBron James but the leadership he is showing during this NBA Finals. He is leading this Cavs team in every aspect of the game. If it has to do with winning then he is involved in it. You can see him constantly talking to teammates during the game. He yells at them when he needs to yell and congratulates them when they deserve it. You can also see him teaching other players throughout the game to help them understand what it takes to win a championship. Any time he is interviewed, he talks about what he has to do to help the team win. If it means he needs to be a high volume shooter and get 12 rebounds then that is what he is going to do. He has truly put the team on his back but he also realizes he needs every single person on the bench to help him win. A runner up finish will not be because LeBron James lets down his team. If the Cavs end up losing the championship it is because the Warriors recaptured their magic from the regular season.
Watch LeBron James' interview after game 3 of the Cavs win to see an example of his leadership.
Another aspect of the NBA Finals that teaches young athletes is proving that patience pays off and to always be ready to play. There is a player on each team who has been perfect examples of waiting their turn. The first is Matthew Dellavedova of the Cavs. He was thrust into the starting line up after Kyrie Irving was injured in game 1 of the NBA Finals. Dellavedova played only 9 minutes in game 1 and now averaging 39 minutes in games in the next 2 games. He has also been awarded the task of guarding MVP Steph Curry for a majority of the game. He has done a great job keeping Curry in check until the fourth quarter of game 3. It is quite an accomplishment for a player to go from playing only 20 minutes a game to being one of the focal points of the entire NBA Finals.
David Lee is another example of being prepared when he was placed in the game. Lee played in only 49 games all season at only 18 minutes per game. He had not even seen the floor for a few games and was forced into game 3 when Draymond Green had foul trouble. He responded with 11 points in 13 minutes. Warriors head coach, Steve Kerr, thought Lee played as good as anyone and should see the floor more often throughout the NBA Finals. An interesting fact is that David Lee is the highest paid player on the Warriors at around $15 million for the year.
Matthew Dellavedova and David Lee Have each exhibited a professional attitude during this season. Both players were being good teammates while sitting the bench. Neither player was getting the amount of playing they probably wanted but remained positive and now they are being rewarded. Either player could have pouted and made a tough situation even harder. Neither man chose that route and now are going to play when the games matter most.
Dellavedova (#8) gets a shot up as David Lee (#10) looks on
Photo from Bristol Herald Courier.com
Every player on both rosters is a very talented basketball player or they would not be in the NBA. When there is a mixture of talented players playing the game the right way, it makes for exciting games. Not every possession is flawless and both teams are making mistakes. What I like about this series is both teams are giving their maximum effort. In the 4th quarter of game 3, I think I counted about 6 players diving on the floor on the same play. When they all leave the court, they do not have to worry about effort being the reason the game was lost. They are giving an effort that young athletes should give every game. Very few players will make the NBA, but that does not mean that effort should be any less. After every game a person competes in, they should have the satisfaction of knowing the best effort was given no matter the outcome of the game.
Whether you are rooting for the Cavs or Warriors there are many things to take away from these first three games of the NBA Finals. First, the leadership of LeBron James has been second to none. Every coach should require a team to study James' press conferences and interviews. He is the type of leader every team needs. A coach would be lucky to have an athlete do half as good as LeBron. Second, be a good teammate no matter how much you play. Despite limited playing time Dellavedova and Lee are showing up every day to work hard. They have been patient and are going to reap the rewards of playing time. Had neither player stayed prepared then another person would have taken their spot in the game. Third, play the game the right way. It is important for an athlete to always put forth the best effort possible. Win or lose, players need to leave practice and games knowing the best effort was given. As the remainder of the NBA Finals is played out, follow the games with these thoughts in mind. Not only will you see some great action but also gain a learning tool to help younger generations. Go to the Forum section on Hoop Support to talk about the 2015 NBA Finals.
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