I just recently watched game 6 of the NBA finals and was quite displeased with LA's effort during the game. The 1st quarter was quite entertaining. A good mix of offense and defense. I was well looking forward to the next 3 quarters being a back and forth game of tension filled hysteria.

Then the 2 quarter happened and the game went from being a competitive match-up of two great teams to a one-sided spanking. Things just weren't going the Lakers way and they basically gave up. Yeah, gave up. In the biggest game of the year. Sure Boston was playing great D and it seemed everytime they took a shot it went in, but come on! You gotta play for pride. Even if you can't win, you gotta give it your all.

I'm neither a Celtics nor Lakers fan. I'm a fan of entertainment. I'm a fan of hard work and never give up attitude. So what am I'm trying to say is don't give up just because your team is playing badly or that the dice seem to be against you. Keep playing. You'll earn a lot more respect by sticking it out then just hitting the conceed button. Sure there are times when it just seems pointless, but those are the times that you'll learn the most. The most important thing it will teach you: empathy. Because we have all been on the receiving end and giving end of a severe beating. What you take away from those experiences is what will help you grow as a coach, but more importantly, as a human being. Unless of course you're an Orc or Elf in which case this has been a complete waste of time for you.