June 17, 2019 - Should Have Won Game 5...

Last week I was watching Game 5 of the NBA championship series between the Toronto Raptors and the Golden State Warriors; a series that Toronto would eventually win in Game 6… but was in position to win in Game 5…


Game 5 was being played in their home arena in Toronto and in the fourth quarter the Raptors grabbed the lead behind some spectacular play by their star Kawhi Leonard. Kawhi is known for being one of the best players on the planet but is not known for being flashy… he is typically very workmanlike. Yet as Golden State seemed to be in control, Kawhi exploded for 10 straight points to put Toronto ahead. Shortly after that the coach called a timeout, (which some have questioned), and let his players (and his star) catch a breath. Explosive outbursts like Kawhi had can be very draining physically and emotionally… and honestly the Raptors looked gassed when the timeout was called.


But right after the timeout Golden State came out and took back control of the game, eventually winning Game 5 to force a Game 6. The Warriors looked really sharp those last few minutes, making many crisp passes on each possession which freed up their incredible shooters, the Splash Brothers (Steph Curry and Klay Thompson), to do what they do best… make buckets in rhythm.


The Raptors on the other hand seemed a bit lost those last few minutes. IN the euphoria of the comeback, they got away from the game plan. Kawhi had basically taken over on for his quick burst, but the team stopped working the ball. Watching the difference in the two teams was like night and day. The Raptors were left forcing shots on each possession… not making crisp passes… not getting open looks… having no rhythm.


The explosion from Kawhi was fun to see and exciting… but was not sustainable. In the end, commitment to the game plan… to teamwork… to the fundamentals is what the Warriors rode to victory. (Along with two amazing shooters that got those open looks… but that is their job… their position… their responsibility on the team.


All of that to remind us that as we look at life, the first priority is not the miraculous but maybe even the mundane, or what I would prefer to call being mindful. There is a time for the miracles… the “explosions”… but one of the fruits of the Spirit is simply faithfulness; which carries the idea of one that can be relied on to do his job. We are told to understand the will of the Lord (the game plan) and to live soberly (not too high in the euphoria of the miracles.)


Don’t get me wrong, I believe in miracles… but they are “highlights”… most of the game is simply fulfilling our team responsibility.


Ephesians 5:15-17

See then that you walk (play the game) circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.