04/05/2025
Unless you are an AVID NBA fan, you probably don’t know his name. He rarely gets in games, and then usually when the outcome is already decided. Two weeks ago he did something remarkable. I was able to watch my favorite team, The Indiana Pacers play The Minnesota Timberwolves. The game was intense. At one point a Timberwolves player fouled a Pacers player so violently he was ejected from the game. Unfortunately the Pacer retaliated and received his second technical foul. By rule, he too was ejected. At that point a little used NBA rule came into play. If a player is fouled, and for whatever reason, either injury or ejection, cannot take his free throws, the OPPOSING COACH gets to pick the player HE CHOOSES to take the shot. The opposing coach tries to pick the player LEAST likely to hit the shots. The Minnesota coach walked to the end of the Pacers’ bench and chose Enrique Freeman. He picked him to fail. He picked him to be incapable. He picked him to be inexperienced. He picked him to MISS the shots. Enrique stepped to the line, and like a seasoned veteran, nailed both shots. Practice and hard work had prepared Enrique for the challenge. The Pacers prevailed that night by just TWO points; Enrique’s contribution. There are children out there who society picks to fail. They think they are inferior or incompetent because they haven’t had a chance. Teach children to be like Enrique. To paraphrase the Roman philosopher Seneca, good things happen when opportunity meets preparation. Enrique practiced when no one was watching so he was prepared when ALL EYES were on him. He demonstrated his capability, as those who thought he couldn’t do it looked on. But he had one other powerful tool. His coach and his teammates BELIEVED he could do it and TOLD HIM SO! Believe in your children! But belief without putting the work in is often useless. I don’t know how long Enrique’s NBA career will be. I hope he is an all-star and scores thousands of points. But I’ll bet he will always remember the night others picked him to fail, but because he was PREPARED he triumphed anyway. Best of fortunes, Enrique. I’ll look for you, and maybe many kids you inspire to be astoundingly successful; the ones who were picked to “miss” but who prepared themselves, believed in themselves and NEVER bought into anyone else’s disrespect.
(Photo courtesy of MHS Indiana)
