South Florida was gripped with excitement as the recent NBA championship series unfolded with the Miami Heat battling the San Antonio Spurs for the 2012-2013 title.
Heat mania hit Miami. Many wore caps and tee shirts with team logos. Cars and trucks carried flags and bumper stickers. Banners were draped on buildings. The scores and progression of the best-of-seven series made front-page headlines in the Miami Herald.
Game six looked ominous. The Spurs were ahead in the series three games to two and led late in the fourth quarter. The Spurs could taste sweet victory. Officials wheeled out the championship trophy and roped off the area in preparation for San Antonio’s inevitable victory. Many Heat fans got up and left the arena. There seemed no reason to stay.
The Heat, however, simply refused to give up. They forged ahead in a quintessential team effort and won the game.
Two nights later the Heat won game seven. They were NBA champions for the second straight year.
Life is the ultimate contact sport and all of us would do well to gain some winning strategies. There is a lot to be learned from this contest.
Sometimes being stubborn can work toward the good. Jewish tradition advises that “even if a sharp sword is resting on one’s neck, do not give up hope.”
The Miami Heat showed incredible tenacity. Even when it looked as though they were facing certain defeat, they didn’t give up. This is a lesson for us all.
New York Yankee legend Yogi Berra offered an insightful observation on this subject when he counseled, “It ain’t over till its over.” Yogi was right.