We can't change the cards we're dealt, just how we play the hand.

The game of basketball translates to life on and off the court. The game requires sacrifice, preparation, desire, hustle, heart, skill, talent, teamwork, intelligence, etc. There are many nba stories, where players grew up with little but made the most out of their situations and are where they are today. In regards to life, attitude is the biggest factor; you can do something about your situation or you don't. Like Pausch's comment, "We just have to decide how we're gonna respond to what we're given." Randy Pausch was a CMU professor who had pancreatic cancer, found out he had 3-6 months left and gave a last lecture on achieving one's childhood dreams. Inspiring and insightful, his speech can be applied to even basketball and the adversity that we are presented with, and the way we deal with it.



I remember hearing about Leon Powe of the BOS Celtics during the finals, and how he faced tremendous adversity growing up. He is just one of many players who have had to fight on and off the court to be successful today. Adversity is unavoidable. It just depends on our disposition, our mood, our attitude, our response to it. What are you going to do then? Ultimately, rise above it and succeed. You can accept it or you can do something about it.



BTW, take for ex. the Celtics in last yrs playoffs, when Paul Pierce injured himself and Doc Rivers reminded BOS to embrace each other, drawing on ubuntu, meaning sometimes you will face tremendous adversity but you must give up for one another; "I can't be all that I am unless you are all that you must be." Pick up for one another. Adversity is faced but is possible to overcome. Plus, you are always stronger for it. Look at BOS last season; they embraced each other, stuck with it and eventually won number 17.


A bad grade is only one letter in the Essay of life. ~Lee Drake


There is no education like adversity. ~Disraeli


We find comfort among those who agree with us - growth among those who don't. ~Frank A. Clark


Damaged people are dangerous. They know they can survive. ~Josephine Hart


Problems are only opportunities with thorns on them. ~Hugh Miller

There's nothing that cleanses your soul like getting the hell kicked out of you. ~Woody Hayes

Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor. ~Truman Capote