The Power of Belief when Coupled with Focus is Unmatched
We see this all the time in sports and in business. Most recently we saw it in game four of the NBA western conference finals. The Dallas Mavericks trailed by 15-points with just five minutes and five seconds left to play in the game, but they never stopped believing that they could pull out the win. Meanwhile, their opponent, the Oklahoma City Thunder, let doubt enter their minds as the Mavericks started mounting their improbable comeback.
With each point scored you could see Mavericks’ confidence grow, while noticing that an equal and opposite waning of confidence started to surface in the Thunder players. As the doubts began to fill their minds, you could see their bodies filling with tension, causing them to lose focus on the task immediately in front of them, scoring on each individual possession. You see, as soon as you allow even a single doubt to enter your mind, your body will instinctively tighten up and ‘looseness is the secret to peak performance.’
Meanwhile, as the Mavericks were closing in on their prey, they began to exhibit a looseness not seen throughout the previous 43-minutes of play. This enabled them to play with a stronger focus and determination which is what leads to great performances. As Dirk Nowitzki alluded to following the game in regards to point guard Jason Kidd: “People still think that Kidd is not a good shooter, (But) any time he’s open down the stretch, it’s going in.” Belief, focus and determination are what bring out the best in all of us.
It’s no surprise here that the Mavericks sent the game into overtime and eventually won going away 112-105. There’s no substitute for experience and I suspect a lot of the Mavericks’ belief stemmed from their greater depth of experience with play-off games. Similarly the lack of play-off experience for the Thunder players probably seeded their doubts.
In some ways this may have been the best thing that could have happened to the Thunder. Had they won and gone on to win the series, it may have come too easily and thus they would not have gained the proper appreciation of how hard it is to reach the NBA finals. I think this loss will prove to be a catalyst for the Thunders future growth. Now they will be hungry and experienced next season and I certainly would not bet against them then.
Dallas looks like they may be a team of destiny this year. As Shawn Marion said: “We believe, man. We just kept fighting and fighting.” That is the attitude of a champion and as I have said many times before, I’ll take culture and belief over talent every time.
