The Golden State Warriors are up two games to none in the NBA Finals. The series is a best-of-seven so the Warriors need only win two more games to claim their second championship in three years. Of course, last year the Warriors were up 2-0, but ended up blowing a 3-1 lead to lose the series.
This year, though, there will be a different outcome. Barring any major injuries or, as Deadspin said, a meteorite hitting a Warriors player on the way to the arena, the Warriors should win the Larry O’Brien trophy this year. Last year the Warriors won a record 73 games and, after losing in the Finals, added Kevin Durant, arguably the second-best player in the Association.
A number of writers, columnists and talking heads have pondered whether or not the Warriors are good for basketball. Their level of excellence has made most of their games less competitive. The Warriors haven’t lost yet during these playoffs and have had only one loss in almost three months.
As a Warriors fan I am definitely biased; I don’t think that the Warriors are boring. I’ve watched every single game of the playoffs and pretty much every other game this season. I love seeing them play basketball and the beauty with which they play. The Warriors’ players are selfless, they share the ball and they play with a tremendous amount of joy. Their system is spectacular to watch and I’ve never been bored by their excellence.
I can’t say that I’ve ever achieved any amount of excellence that can match that of the Warriors’. I’m a good speaker, I’m a committed blogger and I’m not scared of anyone at a foosball table. However, I can’t say that I’ve ever achieved a sustained period of excellence, especially when it comes to following Jesus.
I’ve been following Jesus for pretty much the entirety of my life. I can’t really say that I’ve ever done with excellence over an extended period of time, though. For the most part I’ve had blips of excellence followed up by long periods of mediocrity at best and outright backsliding at worst.
The Warriors’ excellence might be boring, but I wouldn’t mind a little bit of boring in my life. I would love to be so committed to following Jesus that people found my spiritual life boring. No conflict, no struggling with temptation, just a sustained excellence in following Jesus. It might not make for the most compelling narrative, but it would make for a most impactful life.
How do you strive for excellence in your life with Jesus?
Photo: Kyle Terada – USA Today Sports
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