If you follow me on Facebook or my blog, you’ve probably noticed I enjoy writing. As an author and speaker, I find myself learning virtue and leadership in different and unique places, personalities, and people. When I discover something of this nature, my passion comes alive and I can’t help but share it with people. Last night was a night where such occurrence took place.
I’m sure I’m not the only NBA fan on Facebook as last night I received the notification on my phone that the OKC Thunder had beaten the Orlando Magic in overtime. Being a Thunder fan myself, the excitement was already evident. As much as I was excited for my team, I clicked on a video to show the highlight reel and what I saw next was remarkable as a force was unleashed. With a few seconds left in regulation, the Thunder were down just a few points, when a guy wearing jersey #0 dribbled quickly down the court with multiple men defending him. The pressure is on, the night is on the line, a bucket needs to be mad. Suddenly, the player pulls up well before the three point, leaps into the air, releases the ball from his hands and watches as the ball goes into the basket and ties the game. Settling the score.
This player is known as Russell Westbrook. What a phenomenal player! If you haven’t been following this NBA Superstar’s success, you’ll find his statistics will make your head spin.
He has recorded 38 Triple-Doubles in nearly one entire season. Meaning has had double digits in points, assists, and rebounds all in the same night 38 times. Insane! He is currently on pace to break even more records and last night he led the OKC Thunder from a 21 point deficit to overtime then to winning the game and clinching a playoff spot in the postseason. Westbrook, an MVP candidate for the league has shown an unwavering effort, an ability to torch defenses, and a relentless pursuit to achieve excellence.
Fans from all over the world, pro-Thunder or not have admired his amazing feats of player performance and ranking him as one of the best players in the league. As one ESPN Commentator simply put it, “Westbrook is on another level.”
Whether you are a basketball buff or not, there is something special about the way Westbrook plays. He displays a mindset that is driven, intentional, passionate, and relentless. Gotta question for you, “What if we lived our lives with a Westbrook mindset?” “What if we lived everyday with passion, perseverance, tenacity, driving not to get buckets, but driving toward success?” If I’m high school senior, a Westbrook Mindset might be a relentless pursuit to make the most of every opportunity. If I’m a corporate CEO, a Westbrook Mindset might be a driven approach, a can-do attitude to reaching your company’s goals. If I’m a parent, a Westbrook Mindset might look like going against the odds of a demanding schedule and striving to spend more time with the wife and kids. Westbrook isn’t perfect, but his intentional mindset of perseverance and effort is wise for us to adopt.
Many argue that there never has been nor will there be another player who plays with the game like Westbrook. Time will only tell. But every single one of us is in a game called life and the Westbrook mindset is a must. The pressure is on, our purpose is calling, the game has never been more intense, we are down by 3, and the ball is in our hands. We dribble fast, mindful of the clock, we breathe, take a leap, release, then shoot. Falling in the air, the ball goes further and further. Wondering what will happen next.
If life is like a game, will you settle the score?
#ThunderUp #WestbrookMindset #Intentional
Brandon Baumgarten 