|
|
|
NBA - The heart of a champion By Carl Tomakin PhilBoxing.com Tue, 22 Sep 2015 CLEVELAND -- Dissecting a heart must be very complicated. I can only surmise since I am not a surgeon. I have no clue what the process of working on a heart entails, but finding a person who is willing to put in the work day in and day out and make constant improvements, little changes to get him or her just one notch better than the rest, is like striking gold. The Cleveland Cavaliers struck gold the moment LeBron James turned pro. He was already exceptional as a kid and he kept improving. His Akron, Ohio base made him stronger. His family bolstered his confidence, while his friends, his tight inner circle, helped him navigate the treacherous path toward superstardom. Before the trophies started flooding his way, he was already a winner. Before Sports Illustrated hailed him as "The Chosen One" he was already a winner. Strive For Greatness is his mantra. Excellence is his calling card. An immensely gifted specimen, the 6-foot-8, 250-pound James toils on improving his craft harder than anyone else. And that is why the 30-year old is an 11-time All-Star, a 4-time NBA MVP, a two-time NBA champion and a 2-time NBA Finals MVP. Inarguably the best basketball player in the world, LeBron wants more. And thanks to his return to Cleveland after a four-year fling in Miami, the Cavaliers are relevant again. His second coming has brought newfound hope in ending Cleveland's nearly 50-year drought of winning a major sports championship. The entire city of Cleveland has been infused with sports life again. Rightfully so, the Cavs and their devoted faithful believe they can win it all. In is first stint with the Miami Heat, one that ended in a runner-up finish, LeBron played ?angry? and admitted not enjoying the game of basketball that season because his heart was not in the right place. His first season back with the Cleveland Cavaliers also resulted in a runner-up finish. This time, he played the game right and carried his team on his shoulders, especially during the playoffs. Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love wanted to help but they were both ravaged by injuries. But that was the past and now that a new season beckons, the Cavs look forward to staying healthy, defend their Eastern Conference title, and make another run at the Larry O'Brien trophy. LeBron James demands hard work and honest effort from himself and those around him. Everyone is accountable. LeBron sees greatness in his teammates; each time he makes the right play, he instills that belief in them, it makes them more confident, more willing to accept ownership of that ?rock?. He passes the ball not because he fears losing but because he knows that the process of winning requires teamwork and the unbridled support of their loyal fans. With their Big 3 back better than ever, it's hard to imagine the Cavs not going back to the NBA Finals in June of 2016. Question is: Can they go all the way the second time around? Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carl Tomakin. |
|
PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general. Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com |
PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
developed and maintained by dong secuya © 2025 philboxing.com. |