As I watched the first half of the Kentucky-Arizona State
basketball game the commentator, Dan Dakich, pointed out a truth I always tried
to get across to my players… teams have to play with a hunger or desire that
surpass their opponents.
The game was an obvious mismatch on paper but I expected
Arizona State to put up a fight because their coach, Bobby Hurley, was a
scrappy player that always found a way to compete; yet it was clear that has
not yet become the culture of his team…
Time after time on loose balls UK players were seeing
diving to the floor and playing “hungry.” One play had the UK player on the floor
and an ASU player just bending over at the waist reaching for the ball; which
led Dakich to proclaim that UK “has more talent and works harder.” That is a
dangerous combination… and a sad commentary about ASU. It’s not their fault
that UK is bigger, stronger, and faster; but there is no excuse for lack of
effort! Every player has the choice of “going to the floor” for the ball…
EFFORT is a choice! It was ASU’s only chance to try to compete, and they weren’t.
Proverbs 28:19 He who tills his land will have plenty of
bread, but he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough!
Are you willing to dive to the floor to pursue your
dreams? Are you willing to do the extra stuff to reach others in your outreach
to others?