The then LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers faced the Atlanta Hawks in round two of the 2009 NBA playoffs. It was game four, the Hawks down three games to none. For about a quarter or so the Hawks put up a fight against the Cavs, but over the course of the game, James and his teammates came out on top, completing a series sweep of the Hawks.
After the game James said it was his team’s first taste of what he called adversity and they welcomed it. They after all didn’t have much trouble winning the first three games against the Hawks or sweeping the Detroit Pistons in the first round.
Fast-forward nearly two years, James is finally surrounded with superstar talent and finds himself a loser of five-straight games, potentially six after tonight’s matchup with the Lakers.
Hey LeBron, allow me to introduce you to your good old friend, the real adversity.
According to James the Miami Heat have yet to reach rock-bottom. Perhaps the first step in overcoming adversity is admitting failure and defeat much like the Lakers did just before the All-Star break after losing to the NBA-worst Cavaliers.
Since then the Lakers have been on a tear, winning eight-straight games, some against the NBA’s elite teams. It’s a little easier to overcome adversity when everyone on the team has a clear understanding of the roles they play and how they can contribute to weather any storm.