Kawhi Leonard’s the New Kid on the NBA Block as Playoff MVP

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Theme:–The Year of ‘Brandemonium’
Where Hopes & Dreams Become Real on Breakout Teams” (Old-School Flava)

It’s not what the Heat would have ordered. After getting to the NBA finals four years in a row, they had a chance to do something rare. A 3-peat is no easy feat especially since the Spurs had a bitter leftover taste from last year’s loss. And yes, Kawhi Leonard’s the new kid on the NBA block as playoff MVP.

Leonard had the task of guarding Lebron James, arguably the best player in the world. He was roughed-up by coach Popovich for playing soft after games one and two. He stepped-up his game and the Spurs did the same with relentless offense. At times they were hitting shots everywhere from inside and outside.

The series began with a win by the Spurs on their homecourt. Then they lost to the Heat in game two. That must have been a wake-up call. They won three straight games after with outstanding defense. They maintained a lead in those games for much of the way. Their defense was more consistent than the Heat.

During the post-game press conference Lebron James gave props to the Spurs for their teamwork brilliance.  He said “That’s the brand of basketball, and that’s how team basketball should be played.” This is true for hopes and dreams becoming real on breakout teams as well. Teamwork makes dreams work.

Leonard as MVP and with the other guys delivered relentless offense. They were clicking in all spots. Their focus on improving their defense over the past few years paid off. It became more like a habit than an add-on to their game. Team sports are a great reminder of success life lessons on and off the court.

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Theme:–The Year of ‘Brandemonium’
Where Hopes & Dreams Become Real on Breakout Teams” (New-School Flava)

Not what the Heat had planned. But the SA Spurs took a stand. After NBA finals four years in a row. Heat didn’t expect a losing blow. A 3-peat is something rare. But that was the talk in the air. Spurs had bitter taste from last year’s loss. Ready to go at the ball toss. As Kawhi Leonard’s the MVP in the playoffs.

Leonard had to guard King James. No easy thing in full-court games. Arguably the best player as a pro. So you betta act like you know. Coach Popovich roughed-up Leonard for playing tame. So in game three he upped his game. Spurs did too with on-fire offense. Hitting shots inside and outside the 3-point fence.

Series began with a team Spurs win. Arena air so hot it felt like a sin. Then they lost in game two. Might have had them feeling blue. A wake-up call getting back on focus. With dazzling defense as their hocus pocus. Maintaining game lead the rest of the way. More consistent defense than the Heat’s play.

Post-game press conference was somber. James felt Spurs had their number. Saying teamwork brilliance came alive. For the Spurs to take series in five. It’s the brand of basketball that’s most effective. His take on the game by being reflective. True for hopes and dreams as well. Teamwork helps make dreams sell.

Leonard as MVP made sense. Spurs played their best offense. Clicking in all areas seemed easy. Team efficiency made it look breezy. A focus on defense after last year’s fall. Became more like a habit than a play call. Team sports a reminder of how to score. Another success moment on the game of life floor.

Tip: A balance of offense and defense in sports or vision and action in life helps teamwork and dreamwork come alive.

Talkback: Were you surprised that the Heat lost in five?

Lebron James and the Heat Look to Join the Ranks of the Greatest Ever

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Theme:–The Year of ‘Brandemonium’
Where Hopes & Dreams Become Real on Breakout Teams” (Old-School Flava)

The Miami Heat are in the NBA finals four years in a row. That’s no easy feat when you consider the level of talent in the league. Now they’re setting their sights on a 3-peat. If making the finals consecutively was hard then a 3-peat is off the charts tough. James and the Heat would join the ranks of the greatest ever.

It’s been 29 years since the last 3-peat. Back then the game was different. Some think it might have been easier. But the level of play these days shows how much the game has grown. It’s still about putting a ball through a hoop. But James and the Heat have taken their skill for scoring and defending to another level.

In 2010 James, Wade and Bosh took on a mission. They set their sights on being the latest NBA championship standard. The first year was a bit rocky as they tried to jell. Since then, they’ve played their roles to create championship synergy. In sports and in life it takes skill and synergy to propel your game.

Indiana Pacers coach was quoted as saying, “They play at championship level. They have a way to raise it to the point that it’s too much to overcome.” That speaks to having more than a championship standard or championship synergy. It speaks to championship strength seen in their mental focus and toughness.

During the end-of-game interviews Heat Coach Eric Spoelstra pointed out that a key to winning is in stepping-up to the big moments. This means keeping yourself ready for having a major impact. That’s how James and the Heat players approach each game. It’s also how championship moments are made.

 

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Theme:–The Year of ‘Brandemonium’
Where Hopes & Dreams Become Real on Breakout Teams” (New-School Flava)

Four years in a row. The Miami Heat put on a show. NBA Finals here they come. Trying to 3-peat and then some. Not an easy thing to do. Even with the best big-three crew. Range of league talent is high. Other teams keep having to sigh. Looking to join greatest-ever ranks. With all their money in the banks.

Some 29 years since it’s been done. Others came close, “no can do” son! Back then different tempo to the game. Some say level of play wasn’t the same. These days game has surely grown. Takes big money for you to own. Still about putting ball in the hoop. But also about skill, scoring and rallying the troupe.

In 2010 James, Wade and Bosh announced their mission. Setting sights on a higher vision. For becoming the NBA championship standard. Taking no prisoners avoiding the hazard. First year seemed a bit tricky. Game didn’t jell and was sticky. Merging roles into team synergy. In sports and life propels game energy.

Indiana Pacers coach might have tried praying. Telling media “They play at a championship level… just saying! Raising their game to the point. Where it’s too much to overcome, just anoint.” More than championship standard and synergy as the fix. But about strength, focus and toughness in the mix.

End-of-game interviews were telling. From what Heat Coach Spoelstra was selling. Says key to winning is stepping-up in the fray. Minute by minute with “in the moments” play. Means keeping yourself ready to go. For a major impact if we might say so. That’s how champs do their thing. And strive to earn another ring.

Tip: It might take skill to win it once, but it takes synergy and strength to produce championship moments.

Talkback: What will a great game-1 by the Spurs have to look like?

Kevin Durant Stepped to the Mic Just Like He Stepped-up His Game

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Theme:–The Year of ‘Brandemonium’
Where Hopes & Dreams Become Real on Breakout Teams” (Old-School Flava)

The NBA playoff is when more amazing happens. We see incredible plays as teams compete for the crown. The second round is underway with a few players and teams making noise. The LA Clippers hung in there through their first round storm. And yes, OKCs Kevin Durant stepped-up his game all season.

Durant was named league MVP for the first time in his career. He gave an emotional speech during the ceremony where he thanked his teammates, trainers and coaches for their support. He left his most tearful words for his mom. He believes she’s the real MVP for all she did as a young single mother.

He looked back over his journey to recognize her sacrifices. But NBA fans looked back over his season to see Durant stepping up to the challenge. When teammate Caron Butler was signed to OKC he put a note in Durant’s locker that said “KD MVP.” Durant turned the words on that note into a personal challenge.

When asked about Durant’s rise to MVP status, Lebron James said Durant was deserving of the honor. James said Durant was a more consistent player this season. James knows something about something having been MVP multiple times. He knows that MVP is more than a title. It’s a testament to consistency.

Durant must be especially happy because his teammates say he and as his game have become more complete. He showed more court vision, movement into open spots and better ball management. Durant shows in sports and in life, it takes challenge, consistency and a complete game to score like a champion.

 

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Theme:–The Year of ‘Brandemonium’
Where Hopes & Dreams Become Real on Breakout Teams” (New-School Flava)

NBA playoff in full swing. Teams are on point doing their thing. Sure to see some incredible plays. As teams compete for the glory days. Second round action has teams showing poise. Sports talkers like Steven A. making a lot of noise. LA Clippers are still in the hunt. OKCs Kevin Durant is the man out-front.

Durant named MVP in the league. Showing no signs of fatigue. First time coming in his career. He had some extra votes to spare. Gave emotional speech during awards program. Thanked teammates, trainers and coaches for the honorarium. Most tearful words left for his mom. She’s the real MVP and then some.

Recognized her for her sacrificial love. Is like giving thanks to the “man above.” NBA fans say Durant stepped-up his game. It’s as if the word ‘challenge’ became his middle name. Teammate Caron Butler wrote “KD MVP” on a note. So Durant took that as a challenge and that’s what history wrote.

When asked about Durant’s MVP status. Lebron James said Durant was deserving of the fuss. Durant’s a more consistent player says James. He should know with multiple MVP seasons of games. LJ knows MVP is more than just a title or bragging rights. It’s a testament to consistency and extra practice nights.

Durant must be real happy beating James as a Heat. His teammates say he and his game became more complete. As seen on TV in more court vision. Plus movement on the court and passing precision. Durant shows us in sports and in life. It takes challenge, consistency and a complete game to overcome strife.

Tip: In sports/life it’s not so much where you start as much as how you make your skills sail to the top.

Talkback: Could this year’s NBA final come down to OKC and Miami?

Kevin Hart and Lebron James in Dream Role as Cops and Ballers?

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Theme:–The Year of ‘Growmance’
Where Love Beats Fear in Upping Our Game This Year” (Old-School Flava)

It seems 2013 has been a banner year for Black films. There was Lee Daniels’ the Butler featuring Oprah and Forest Whitaker. We had Fruitvale Station and ’12 Years a Slave.’ For laughs, Tyler Perry gave us a ‘Madea Christmas’ experience. So, how about Kevin Hart and Lebron James as Cops & Ballers?

Hart is ‘hot in Hollywood’ these days while James is back-to-back NBA MVP. Word is that next year they’ll star in a new movie called ‘Ballers.’ Hart’s character lives in the shadow of his NBA superstar brother (to be played by James), and gets a chance to tryout and live his dreams at a basketball fantasy camp.

The script is being written by Hart and others. So take a page from Hart’s success ‘cause living your dreams is like turning scripts into movies. It’s going from vision to reality by scripting your ideas and acting-out your hunches. This works as a kind of ‘dream simulator’ for putting your dreams in flight.

James’ movie has been in the works for some time. It’s had a couple false-starts and changes along the way. Sometimes this happens with movies and with dreams. There’re setbacks and miss-fires. It takes a ‘dream motivator’ to keep hopes and dreams alive. That’s what a good book or inspiring movie can do.

Superhero flicks have also been raking in big bucks this year with Iron Man and Man of Steel just to name two. A box office movie franchise is more like a ‘dream elevator’ than career-ladder. It’s why everyday dreamers, movers and shakers work hard bringing out their own superhero, one success-floor at a time.

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The Year of ‘Growmance’
Where Love Beats Fear in Upping Our Game This Year” (New-School Flava)

2013 was a banner year. Black films not bringing up the rear. Lee Daniels’ The Butler with Oprah role. Forest Whitaker as her honey-love soul. Fruitvale and 12 Years a Slave. Not critics choice but still some rave. Tyler Perry films ‘Madea Christmas’ folks. Kevin Hart and Lebron James with Cops & Ballers jokes?

Hart’s ‘hot in Hollywood’ these days. James still gets back-to-back MVP praise. Some time next year new movie shoots. As ‘Ballers’ going back to their roots. Hart’s character in the shadow of his brother. Played by James as NBA superstar scorer. Gets to tryout and live his dream. Playing on basketball fantasy team.

Script being written by Hart as well. Really shouldn’t be a tough sell. Take a page from Hart’s success reel. Living your dreams brings a good feel. Vision to reality, scripts to clips. Ideas, hunches and big-money trips. Being in a ‘dream simulator’ both day and night. Helps with putting many-a-dreams in flight.

James’ movie in the works for a while. Few false-starts and shifts in action style. Happens with movies and dreams for the making. There’re setbacks and miss-fires for the taking. Lock-in a ‘dream motivator’ to keep hopes and dreams on track. Like a good book or inspiring movie brings payback.

Lots of superhero flicks raking in the dough. Iron Man and Man of Steel letting Benjamins flow. Bring on the box office movie franchise for real. Takes a ‘dream elevator’ to fast-track the career deal. It’s how dreamers raise their game and industry cred. Becoming mover and shakers who’re a step ahead.

Tip: Upping your game means looking your dreams in the eye and giving it wings to fly.

Talkback: When it’s released, would you go see the movie ‘Ballers’ with Hart and James?