Get Confident, Stupid

In N.B.A. Basketball by Brock Bourgase

Whether athletes achieve their goals seems intricately connected to their feelings about themselves. Coaches over the years have seen body language, a lack of energy, and fear of making a mistake result in poor performance just as players have noticed how their self-talk, mental imagery, and focus on specific objectives contribute to their success.

LeBron James dropped thirty-one points in the first half on Portland tonight but the Trail Blazers reversed their fortunes by coming out for the second half with much more determination. They moved the ball and took better shots. They played improved team defence and curtailed Cleveland’s scoring. Whether they win the game is open to debate but a 15-2 run energized the crowd and closed the margin. Now the Cavaliers must respond.

The crucial point that I wish to make is that Portland could have done this without Brandon Roy, who led the turnaround. It’s been said that talent does beat hard work but hard work can overcome talent that is indifferent. Brandon Roy is nearly unstoppable because he is talent who works hard and plays smart. Nevertheless, all of the Trail Blazers had the skills, decision-making, and intensity to win this game. It merely took a fiery speech by Nate McMillan and leadership by example to give them the confidence to succeed.

I don’t mean to be pejorative as my title simply references The Simpsons ironically. Yet, so many players (youth, club, high school, amateur, post-secondary, professional) limit their potential by narrowing their outlook. If you need the coach to fire you up at half-time, you should reconsider how you spend your time. Athletes should arrive at practice, training session, or competitions with an elevated level of attentional focus and self-efficacy.

Portland lost, but they played well – in stretches. Consistent and confident performance may have resulted in a different outcome.