Did the Lakers make a statement in Game 1?

My college coach used to say that the professional players' huddle was no different than ours. He would say that the pros make mistakes too. They don't always do the details necessary for victory. I used to think: "Look, the average professional athlete has at least 300 to 400,000 reasons why he should be focused on the details need to win." Rebounding, fielding ground balls, making slapshots, reeling in a catch with your hands all go without saying if you're paid to play. Pros make plays. Or do they? I think my ex-coach was right. I watch televised games and multi-million dollar athletes drop passes, play lethargic, complain about bad calls and all because they suffer from the same ailment as the rest of us. They suffer from shortsightedness.

The Lakers annihilated the Orlando Magic in game 1 of the NBA finals by executing a game plan to attack Orlando's strongest player aggressively. In basketball we say, attack the big guy's body and he'll forget how to play defense. But even if Dwight Howard has an off night, why do the other players stand around getting out-rebounded, out-hustled and out-bulldogged? I can only surmise that the pros and the Joes (average Joes) have "shortsightedness" in common so much so that it's like we're all kindred. Not seeing the importance of details can hurt in various aspects of life. I once knocked a sliding glass door of its metal track and attempted to lean it against a wall until an adult came to reset it (I was 10 years-old). When I turned to walk away, I heard a strange sound and turned to find the sliding glass door falling toward me. I narrowly escaped as the metal edge of the door's frame missed my skull and carved a nice gash in my upper left shoulder blade. Needless to say it could have been worse.

But it seems like even the most esteemed people make childish mistakes and pay stiff consequences for it. Did the Lakers make a statement? Sure, they said to Orlando, "Remember what's at stake here and that the other team wants the prize so badly because they've been close before." The statement is not what the sprotscasters oversimplify as an intimidating gut punch that steals the heart of the opponent. These competitors (professional athletes) don't scare easily in the conventional sense but they do bear a need for occasional reminders that if you don't prepare your mind for battle, a formidable adversary will consume you. Statements of the "Game 1" variety serve as the smelling salts of life arousing the true nature of those ready to offer their best effort to causes worth fighting for.

My most recent "game 1" is in process right now as I learn to limit my commitments. My health and peace of mind often suffer because of how much I say yes to. It's certainly time to focus on the details of making my life count so I'm blogging and seeking fellowship with God more than ever. I'm learning that if I can say yes to God, the priorities become clearer and I might be able to win "Game 2".