Wade and James Relishing the Challenge of the NBA Playoffs

Anything can happen and everything does happen during the NBA Playoffs. The Miami Heat are hot! They have prepared for the worst and are pulling out all the stops. The winning determination of Dwyane Wade and LeBron James is scoring points on the court.

The Heat’s dream team was originally a trio, LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. Chris Bosh is benched with an abdominal injury. Knee soreness is plaguing Wade and James collided with a courtside cameraman.

Now the trio has now become a dynamite duo, James and Wade. Many teams would crumble under the pressure of the NBA Playoffs and their star players battling injuries. The Heat, however, is not blinking an eye. James and Wade continue to dominate the court, playing tighter than ever.
The challenge is more than the plays made between James and Wade, the points scored and maintaining a tight offense. Let’s acknowledge their mindset which has kept them going strong even when the unexpected occurred.

We expect the Heat to play well under ideal conditions. When things happen beyond their control, but have a direct impact on the team, that is the real test of champions. Bosh sitting on the bench, dealing with injuries, is one such an example.

We’ve all witnessed high performing teams crumble under pressure. Great athletes recognize high performance is more than just the skill set or their technique. When the unexpected occurs, which would distract most athletes and throw off their game, is the true test of excellence. James has had his fair share of critics. Crunch time is an excellent litmus test.

Regardless of what you believe, James and Wade are facing adversity head on. They continue to play strong under pressure. Miami Heat’s Dream Team is on a mission. The Miami Heat has tightened up their game since 2010. The 2012 NBA Playoffs are now offering us a court side view of their true potential. Mental toughness is the bond holding it together for their outstanding performance.

Talk about a pressure play. The last 3 games for the Miami Heat are a testament to their desire to win. After a disappointing Game 3, they answered back with 3 strong games. As of this writing it puts them back in title contention.

James and Wade are high performers. They have made a decision to win and are sticking to it. Resiliency is the reason they continue to be a strong force on the court. The Heat has faced adversity. A poor game 3, Bosh being sidelined along with Wade and James dealing with minor injuries. The ability to rise up to the challenge and deliver is due to their mental toughness. Facing adversity head on, being resilient through challenging moments, is the quality shared by winning athletes.

If you were in a similar situation, in the playoffs, star players benched and the trio down to two, would you still play strong? Commitment is doing what is necessary under any, and all, circumstances. Don’t allow excuses to weaken your mindset. The decision to win keeps you playing full out no matter what. Mental toughness is the answer to playing your best in adverse conditions.

Challenge: If you were hurting, facing poor conditions and a strong opposition would you be able to dig deep to remain strong? Resiliency is about staying strong when faced with adversity. Determine what causes a crack in your confidence. How do you respond when you begin to doubt your abilities? Are you sure that doubtful thought is absolutely true about you? Identify one quality, or characteristic, you have which contradicts that doubtful thought. With that in mind, what is a new thought you can use when feeling under pressure. Practice it and notice if you remain confident longer than expected.