Last year I read about something called "schemata". Correct me if I'm wrong but it's kind of like the engrained information in your brain from having done something so many times. Dictionary.com defines it as an underlying organizational pattern or framework and it's been said that all the greats have it. The schemata is there with 4.3 seconds left or 3 and 2 with the bases loaded and 2 outs. The greats, in their minds, have done this drill already so they're calm under pressure seemingly impervious. But did you see the game tonight against Orlando? Schemata was clearly present as always. Kobe did what he normally does torching would-be defenders but throw in the variable of the human ability to learn and develop optimal responses to adverse situations. Lets call Kobe Bryant the adverse situation and enter the case in point.
Kobe Bryant has mastered as many details possessing the ability to mix and match counteless moves, countermoves, footwork, shot selections and reptilian decptiveness. Pun intended since he dubbed himself the Black Mamba, whcih I still think is a lame title. But I digress. His opponents are overmatched in preparedness, experience and confidence. That can't beat him one-on-one. They'll admit this in pre and postgame interviews. But basketball is not tennis and they don't have to stop Kobe. Teams and their assigned Kobe Stoppers hope that the "Mamba" trusts his schemata more than his teammates. If he bites, Kobe will attempt the impossible and play a one-man army. When and if he does that, the opposing team's job gets easier because they can focus solely on him. So tonight when he dribbled between those two guys and had the ball stolen, it was like when we try something we've done a million times and this time...it fails. I had ridden my bike across crosswalks my whole life but in 1990, I was hit by a car twice at the same intersection. Schemata didn't match real time events and I got roughed up by a light-duty pick-up truck.
What happened tonight in Orlando just looked like a guy who anticipated scenarios but in split second intervals couldn't coordinate what he visualized with real-time variables. It happens. In my mind I'm going to write this blog post, upload it to facebook, figure out pricing for self-publishing my book through Lulu.com, email my designer about the cover of my book, shower and spend some time in prayer. But what about fatigue and other things that pose as obstacles. You can't see everything and you can't close every game the right way. Funny thing is, nobody is harder on Kobe than Kobe and yet if you read the blogs and twitter after a loss like tonight's, at least 60% of the people swear Kobe is a fraud or at least overrated. Yo, he's just a human with schemata that 98% of the world's population lacks. He's great but not divine. We'll get the Orlando Magic in 5!
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