For anyone who has been living in a cave and hasn’t heard: the Toronto Raptors are in the NBA finals for the first time in franchise history!
In past seasons, the Raptors have done very well during the regular season but fell short year after year in the playoffs. After a number of big trades, even bigger expectations, and screaming fans across the country, the pressure to do well has never been higher.
Just don’t say that to the players!
After their biggest win in franchise history, a number of Raptors were asked how they did it, and what they were thinking about facing the defending champions, the Golden State Warriors, in the upcoming finals. One by one they basically said a version of: “Kawhi said it’s just a game and it’s supposed to be fun.”
This is remarkable for two reasons. One: players who have just made franchise history and are facing the biggest challenge of their careers never say it’s just a game. Two: Kawhi Leonard (the Raptor’s superstar) is famous for not saying very much at all.
But it seems that that mantra, of keeping things simple and in perspective, is what allows Leonard to be such a standout player, and has raised Toronto’s game. As much as he’s known for being quiet, he’s also known for never getting too excited or upset. No matter what he’s facing—good or bad—he’s always focussed and ready.
A very telling case study can be found in Raptors’ guard Fred VanVleet. Since the start of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Philadelphia 76ers, he had been shooting a woefully uncharacteristic 7-of-44 overall and 3-of-25 from the three-point range. But then he flew home to welcome the birth of his second child. When asked about that experience he said: "It gives you a little perspective, I guess, on life. I had a lot of time to think. I had to sit at the hospital all day, had a lot of time to think, obviously a plane ride back. It just changes the way you're looking at things. You are not so down on yourself about everything."
Since then, VanVleet has shot—over the next three games—a remarkable 17/25 from the field and 14- of-17 from the three-point range! And this in games with even more at stake—especially given how poorly he had been shooting up until then.
Perspective can give you distance from a problem and from pressure and help you to see things for what they really are. I’ve found that at work, certain challenges can seem daunting and that I can’t stop thinking about them. At one point I was so frustrated by a previous work relationship that my wife bought me a punching bag so that I could release some pent-up tension!
But really, if I had looked at the situation in a different way, and been able to get some perspective, I would’ve seen so much to be thankful for. It was a fantastic job and I loved a great deal about it. If I could’ve recognized that, I wouldn’t have been so frustrated—and even been able to handle the situation better.
Damian Lillard, an all-star point guard for the Portland Trail Blazers, was asked about pressure after hitting a series winning shot from way out.”
“Pressure, nah. Fam, this is just playing ball. Pressure is the homeless man who doesn’t know where his next meal is coming from. Pressure is the single mom who is trying to scuffle and pay her rent. We get paid a lot of money to play a game. Don’t get me wrong: there are challenges, but to call it pressure is almost an insult to regular people.”
Perspective is a wonderful thing.