subject: Basketball Trophies – Winning (the Championship) Isn't Everything [print this page] Basketball Trophies Winning (the Championship) Isn't Everything
Everyone needs encouragement, not just the little kids running around an intramural basketball court. The NBA recognizes different people, at different times, for many different reasons other than being the "best" or a world "champion". Leading by example has been encouraged since the dawn of time; and it's great to witness the NBA using their awards to reward such behavior.
There are many other basketball trophies and awards besides the sought after championship trophy that are handed out each year by the NBA to the many teams and individuals who also are deserving of them. This is important to point out because perhaps the fastest or highest achieving award does not need to always be presented at the end of every awards ceremony. Perhaps the best overall performance or best sportsmanship trophies should be because it is important that it stays fresh in the minds of all athletes, spectators, and fans that winning is not everything: it's the qualities of the winner that is. Experts agree that basketball trophies, well all trophies, encourage us not just to perform at our very best across a broad range of endeavors, but they also inspire us to take action in a way that places emphasis on the importance of team spirit, community involvement, or giving something our all.
Besides the annual awards the professional basketball league takes inspiration to a whole new level with monthly and even weekly awards. There are monthly and weekly awards for not only players but the coaches as well. It is excellent that these players are made examples of throughout the season because it is more important to recognize the values that make athletes truly great all year round, not solely during the big or final game.
Take the Joe Dumars trophy for example; this basketball trophy is revered across the national basketball world as the peak of peer recognition for the winner. It rewards not only superb and consistent effort but it is even more highly regarded because the winner is considered to be one of the most respectful players throughout an entire season.
The Sportsmanship example is an important one because it highlights the fact that individual sporting abilities are not always the single most important factor in rewarding an athlete. In professional basketball this is awarded to the player who most "exemplifies the ideals of sportsmanship on the courtethical behavior, fair play and integrity" as voted by the NBA players.
Most champions of basketball usually acquire the slam dunk' of all trophies when it comes to the size and quality of their championship trophy. And yes, the winning team should get a great, big, shiny basketball trophy, but it is important to realize that basketball trophies are not just given to the winning basketball team. Even generally speaking there are plenty of other things that sport trophies represent besides winning. The National Basketball Association each year recognizes nearly two dozen individuals and teams besides the world champions with awards, besides inspiring millions of basketball players around the world.
