Basketball is basketball

No matter the level of competition, doing the little things right matters

I’ve been blessed, truly blessed, to sit courtside at several Indiana Fever games over the last year, all thanks to a dear, dear friend. That kind of access gives you a special perspective. You’re not just watching the game; you’re almost part of it.

One of the most eye-opening things I’ve experienced in those moments is hearing the conversations between coaches and players. You can see and sometimes even hear the back-and-forth on the bench, and you start to catch bits and pieces of what the players are saying to one another on the floor.

Now, I’ve been around this game for a long time. I’ve had some of the best mentors Indiana basketball has to offer. Coach Mike Wade, whose lessons I still carry with me and apply when I teach others. Phil Cox, 1972 Mr. Basketball, who I played for and traveled the state with at nearly every level. And I had the incredible opportunity to coach under Matt Moore, one of the sharpest basketball minds in the state today.

So, when I sit at these professional games and listen to what's being said, one thought keeps coming to mind: basketball is basketball at every level. Whether it’s high school, college, or the WNBA, the conversations are the same. Fight through the screen. Make the extra pass, Push the tempo. Play tight defense.

The players are lifting each other up, clapping for free throws, doing team chants, and showing what being a good teammate looks like. It’s all so familiar. And that’s when something really hit me. We tend to overcomplicate things as we get older.

Sure, life can be hard, but the basics don’t really change, just like basketball. Life, at its core, is about doing the little things right. It’s about thinking of others before yourself. And above all, it’s about keeping your heart and focus on God and the purpose He’s designed for your life.

You might wonder what that really means. Simply put, each of us has a role in God’s bigger story. Whatever that role is, play it well. Love people, serve them, and be faithful in what He’s called you to do.