It's a special time in San Antonio these days. Most of us realize that we are blessed beyond measure with a special coach and special team. We are enjoying the success of the San Antonio Spurs and even the non-Spur fan can't help but respect what they see from afar. Let's start with the Spur's coach. Coach Pop was an Air Force officer who served our country. He is indubitably a 'without wax' kind of guy. He doesn't try to impress. He inspires each member of his team to be their best. He doesn't care what people think of him, because he's confident in who he is. He sees through duplicity and prefers to cut to the chase in interviews. His humor and fun spirit still comes through, which makes him so likeable. Recently, he was named one of the top 50 Greatest Leaders of all time by CNN.
This year's San Antonio Spurs team is one of the best ever. They have dealt with a ton of injuries and maladies that required rest and time outs. They rose above their trials and pushed through the difficult times. They kept their focus and did not succumb during the challenges. The bench stepped up and worked extra hard to be their very best. And they were. The Spurs still won more games than any other team in the NBA. They play good-to-great basketball, not going for the good shot, but waiting for the great one. They break records for their numbers of assists. They are often seen as a boring, no thrills team. Not much gossip to gossip about. None of them seek a name for themselves and long for the glory. They work in a system where getting the best stats is trumped by playing team basketball. Coach Pop controls minutes for a greater purpose...rest and refreshment to go the distance. And now, here we are in the midst of an exciting time.
I know the San Antonio Spurs will not always be this good. There will be a sad day in time when Timmy takes off his shoes and rides into the basketball sunset. Coach Pop might be trotting about 10 steps behind. Manu will stop leaping and throwing crazy passes across the court. Parker will actually get old too and spin less. We want to bottle this all up, put a ribbon on it and hope it never changes. But it will. Life goes on.
But, I was thinking....the best way we can tie it all up and put a ribbon on it, is to live out the character that we see exemplified in our Spurs. What not a better way to carry on this great tradition by living some of the same values today? Are you really confident in who you are? Are you growing to be the best leader you can be? Do you live with duplicity or are you the real deal? Do you care and respect your fellow team mates? Do you seek fame and notoriety or simply want to serve? Do you make humility a way of life or fall into the trap of being prideful? Do you speak well of those around you or look for ways to criticize others? Many of the qualities we see in the Spurs are qualities that we see encouraged in the Bible. Humility. Confidence. Care for one another. Respect. Being real. Rising above trials. No gossip. Serving. Leading well. How about you? No matter how far we go in the playoffs, we can carry on this great tradition. One life at a time. It starts with you. Go Spurs Go!
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
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