Thoughts

Michael Jordan's basketball lesson

I'll never forget one thing Michael Jordan wrote in one of his books. Back when the Bulls kept losing to Detroit in the eastern conference semifinals, Jordan approached it knowing that he only needed to beat Detroit once. Just one time to get that feeling of beating the Pistons. Then once he had that feeling, he would know how to do it over and over again.

No wonder Jordan is a 6-time NBA champion. Without knowing it, he utilized one proven technique for success. Starting with the end, and working back to the beginning. Conditioning your mind that the result already exists, and letting it work for you.

Like last night, I recorded the Jazz - Blazers game because I knew I'd get home late. And I like to relax and watch the whole game while rooting for the Jazz. I got home in time to catch the last quarter and overtime where the Jazz won by 5 points. Then content with knowing they won, I started watching the recording. Of course since I already knew Utah would win, I was more relaxed, knowing that whatever happened in the first three quarters, my team would still come out winners in the end. Portland would build leads of 5 or 6 points but I was never too concerned, because I already knew the final score.

So planning your life, your desires, your goals, is the same way. Start at the end. Know the final score first. Get the feeling first, then duplication of the result will be trivial. Relax and be content and subconsciously you will get there.

By the way, the Jazz just snapped out of a 6-game losing streak. Very frustrating losses. I think they were all mental. They felt like losers, so they would do anything to get out of winning. It had very little to do with basketball. Once the team sees itself as a winning group, the actual winning will follow.

Posted: Dec 11 2004, 03:11 AM by robtwister | with 3 comment(s)
Filed under:

Comments

Charles Chen said:

Give em some time; once AK gets back and given another month to gel, the Jazz should look a lot better.

Re: you mini "life-lesson" though, I would have to say that it depends on the individual. For some, the mystery of the journey to the end and what may await at the end is what drives them. Knowing anything ahead of time simply takes the adventure out of it.
# December 11, 2004 6:16 PM

robtwister said:

Yeah I'm hoping once Kirilenko gets back, the Jazz get back to winning. I think they should have better spacing on the court. They seem to get too crowded in the middle making pass hard. Maybe have one of the shooting guards Giricek, Bell, or Snyder parked in the corner for that last option.

The life journey, good point, it's different for each person. I agree the long-term stuff can't be planned ahead of time. Final scores and goals for me apply to only short-term stuff like 6 months or a year or two from now.
# December 11, 2004 10:24 PM

julz said:

to whom it concerns , my name is julian carciona from australia ,i am one of the countreys best basketball reporters and i wondering a few stats of michael. height ,weight ,age ,birthday ? thanks

julian Carciona
# December 28, 2004 2:36 AM
Leave a Comment

(required) 

(required) 

(optional)

(required)