The Orlando Magic's Courtney Lee has become a topic of discussion in the sports world after missing a potential game-winning shot in the final seconds of an NBA Finals game last night.
On the sport's biggest stage, the buzz is understandable. It's the type of moment athletes dream about from the time they are children. This one was a little unique in that it didn't require Lee to create a shot in the traditional sense of finding a space on the perimeter or taking a defender--or two--off the dribble.
In this case the shot came to Lee by virtue of a gutsy play call and a picture-perfect inbounds pass. The timing of the play was perfect as well, even if Lee was grabbed by the almighty Kobe Bryant as he rubbed off a screen. That's a call you're never going to get at that moment, and especially not against Bryant.
So what led to Lee's failure? Nerves? The enormity of the moment? Too aggressive?
No, it was something more subtle, but something that befalls many an athlete in big moments: His failure was that he didn't go after the ball and put it back up at the height of his jump, with arms extended. He waited a split-second too long for the ball to come to him and ended up having to lift it back up from chest level while drifting beneath the backboard. This produced the unnatural angle that led to the miss.
In the biggest moments the best players go make it happen. Lee was there, and he did a fine job to time his jump and put himself in position. He just didn't seize the moment when it presented itself.
Funny thing about sports--and life. There's a fine line between hero and goat.
It's a little like what athletes need to remember about PR and image: If you wait for things to come to you, you might miss your moment, or let others tell your story how they see it. If you get out in front of things--good or bad--and tell it your way, you are almost always better off.
Go seize the moment. Make it yours.
--Paul Kirk / www.prolinksports.net / www.twitter.com/ProLinkSports
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