"Talent wins. You can have all the rah-rah you can muster, but at the end of the day in the NBA,...

"Talent wins. You can have all the rah-rah you can muster, but at the end of the day in the NBA, talent wins." (Shane Battier)

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11 months ago AK1984 13 comments 0 recs |

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The Blazers learned this valuable lesson back in 2001.

by Timmay! on Jul 11, 2011 9:32 AM PDT reply actions

well, that can be kind of like saying 'winners win'....

A definition is in order. I consider talent a ‘natural gift’, kind of like (or possibly exactly like) genetics. Of course talent is essential. But what you do with it, how you develop it, are certainly critical factors. We had an interesting article posted (by Mr. AK, as I recall) on JR Rider recently. I remember enjoying JR on the Blazers (at an interesting time, I might add). He aparently had great ‘talent’, yet sadly failed to reach his potential in the NBA. Most people agree the LBJames has great talent. I didn’t watch this years finals, but it soulds like he didn’t exactly play the role of ‘winning’ talent at critical times in the series.
There is a ‘heart’ factor, which allows an individual to maximize the use of his talent, where he can beat a greater natural talent through development of his gift, and sheer will to win. Add to that skillful execution as a team, and you have a more complete picture. Miami may have more ‘talent’ than Dallas, but Dallas won through more effective development as a team, which took years of experience together, including failure.
So, yes ‘talent’ wins, but that is not the whole story.

by Berkeley on Jul 11, 2011 12:15 PM PDT reply actions

“There is a ‘heart’ factor, which allows an individual to maximize the use of his talent, where he can beat a greater natural talent through development of his gift, and sheer will to win”

That would be Larry Legend

by blazinagain on Jul 12, 2011 1:19 AM PDT up reply actions

You just sold Larry Bird short in the talent department.

"They say it has no memory. That’s where I want to live the rest of my life. A warm place with no memory."

by AK1984 on Jul 14, 2011 3:45 PM PDT up reply actions

Not saying LB wasn't talented.

Just saying that he wasn’t the most gifted athlete, but hard work and heart put him into the NBA elite category.

by blazinagain on Jul 15, 2011 12:52 PM PDT up reply actions

Although there are examples of talented guys failing due to immaturity like Isiah Rider or because of a ...

low motor like Vince Carter, every individual who’s been successful at the highest level in the NBA — which ranges from Bill Russell to Michael Jordan — did so in light of the prodigious talent that’s inherent to them.

"They say it has no memory. That’s where I want to live the rest of my life. A warm place with no memory."

by AK1984 on Jul 14, 2011 3:45 PM PDT up reply actions

BerkeIey is right, would say this years finals

kind of make Mr. Battier’s point seem flat out wrong.

by twggyy on Jul 11, 2011 1:27 PM PDT reply actions

People underestimate Dirk Nowtizki's superlative talent.

That’s right, “talent.” The man has an abundance of “talent.”

Oh well, not everyone will open their eyes and see the light.

"They say it has no memory. That’s where I want to live the rest of my life. A warm place with no memory."

by AK1984 on Jul 11, 2011 9:04 PM PDT up reply actions

Actually, this year's Finals prove Battier's point.

What NBA fans were treated to this year was a mind-blowing display of talent by one of the most underappreciated members of the NBA Elite. Time after time, when the Mavs needed to execute, Dirk delivered. His game was simply on another level compared to the competition. Sure, one could argue that the less talented team won the Finals (though I believe the Mavs as a whole were more talented than the Heat), but that should not overshadow Dirk’s stellar performance throughout. No Dirk, no title for the Mavs. There is no amount of heart, chemistry, or scappiness that could have overcome Dirk’s absence. Talent won the Mavs the 2011 NBA Championship.

by Sean M on Jul 12, 2011 12:45 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

well, this is kind of a silly 'arguement' where everybody is 'right'

There is no amount of heart, chemistry, or scappiness that could have overcome Dirk’s absence

as if no “heart, chemistry, or scrappiness” leave the floor with Dirk.
The point I was trying to make above with it is like saying ‘winners win’, is that it can be a self fullfiling definition.
Oh, he won, so he is ‘talented’…. gee, I guess so. It depends on your definition… ‘word games’.
I do think the distinction between a natural gift, and what you make of it is significant, regardless.

by Berkeley on Jul 13, 2011 1:14 PM PDT up reply actions

Filed under: hobby horses.

i keep dancing on my own.

by atomiccafe on Jul 11, 2011 4:49 PM PDT reply actions

hmmm

I think hard work and drive may have the upper hand over talent, in a league where everyone is extremely talented.

Barefoot conducts his seminars on his houseboat in Sausalito. It costs a hundred dollars to find out why we are on this Earth. You also get a sandwich, but I wasn't hungry that day. John Lennon had just been killed and I think I know why we are on this Earth; it's to find out that what you love the most will be taken away from you, probably due to an error in high places rather than by design.

by thankyouforblaze on Jul 11, 2011 5:59 PM PDT reply actions