Convergence ... hoops' style

Henry Abbott's unparalleled basketball blog, TrueHoop, has a nice intro piece yesterday on the place of passing in today's hoops' culture ... All aboard the Andrea Bargnani Bandwagon ... here's my
2 cents worth:

re: Sabonis, and the ability to “see” the pass

Those who may not have had the benefit of seeing the younger,
pre-NBA Sabonis play ... and, in general, move in a lithe, super athletic way for a man of his size ... do not know what they missed out on seeing first-hand from this extraordinary titan of the game, who was, in fact, good enough to have three distinct phases to his basketball career, i.e. Phase 1/early Euro: Larry Bird & Dirk Nowitzki; Phase 2/late Euro: Bill Walton & Bob Cousy; Phase 3/NBA: Shaq 'lite', 'tippy-toe' Laimbeer & 'Magic' at 55, sans wheels.

The man was simply amazing.

In his terrific book, "Russell Rules: 11 Lessons on Leadership From the Twentieth Century's Greatest Winner", Mr. Bill includes a specific chapter on the important role of curiosity in the development of an elite competitor.

In my opinion, this … more than any other single element … is most responsible for the creative impulse at the heart of passing the ball well, regardless of the game. This essential skill, which is at the core of both soccer and basketball, is rooted in one's own willingness and ability to look, see and be infinitely interested in what's going on in the world beyond the reach of one's own limited field of reference, by engaging with The Other.

Seeing where the space is ... having that space filled by a teammate, who shares a similar vision ... and, then, experiencing the convergence which occurs there ... where player1, ball, space, pass and player2 literally come together ... at that specific point in time & space ... is truly sublime.

What the mind can conceive, the body can achieve … in concert with The Other … if the soul can first perceive It.