Sometimes the naivete of youth can be much more valuable.
For instance:
What does it matter that your opponent won 20 games in a row (tied for third longest winning streak in NBA history)? If you didn't know any better, you might assume they could just as easily lose 3 in a row, perhaps even 4. Forget streaks, maybe it's enough to live in the moment and realize it's what you do in the your last game that counts.
And what does it matter if as the point guard of your team you commit three straight turnovers in the 4th quarter, that enables your opponent to trim a 8 point lead to 2? Apparently it means nothing if you're Russell Westbrook, who almost immediately after those turnovers was still able to knock down a huge mid-range jumper with a minute and a half to go to push the lead back up to 4.
What does it mean after scoring 18 points in the 4th quarter of the previous game, you only have 5 points in the first half of a pivotal game 5 on the road? Absolutely nothing if you are Kevin Durant, you must surely know you can drop 22 points in the second half, on the road, when your team needs you the most.
And finally, who cares if you have the three time NBA leading scoring on your team, that has been unstoppable in the clutch this post-season? Or that you have an all-NBA point guard as his side-kick. Not a darn thing if you're 6th man of the year James Harden. You don't know any better than to look them off while you keep your eyes on the shot clock and nail a three pointer with under 30 seconds to go that essentially seals the deal for your team.
Ah yes, you got to love youth.
Irreverent when it comes to history and legacy.
Not thoughtful enough to realize how big the moment is, but fine tuned to seize it.
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