On 13th June 1997, a man named Steve Kerr took a very important shot in a very important basketball game.
Steve’s story can teach us a valuable lesson about how we react to #coronavirus.
It’s time for another history lesson from Doncaster Council.
Steve’s story can teach us a valuable lesson about how we react to #coronavirus.
It’s time for another history lesson from Doncaster Council.
Anyone who has binge-watched #TheLastDance during Lockdown probably didn’t expect Doncaster Council to be tweeting about Michael Jordan and Co’s exploits, and linking it to a global pandemic.
Nevertheless, it’s happening.
Here we go.
Nevertheless, it’s happening.
Here we go.
So, the Chicago Bulls were neck-and-neck in the 6th game of their epic NBA finals face-off with the Utah Jazz.
With 28 seconds remaining in the game, the score was tied at 86-86.
With 28 seconds remaining in the game, the score was tied at 86-86.
Michael Jordan was undoubtedly the star player of the Bulls team* – he had scored 39 points already, and would almost certainly be the man who was trusted to win them the game.
*After all the accolades of Jordan’s career, we’re sure that Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council praising his basketball skills will be the cherry on top.
During a time-out with less than 30 seconds left of the final, everyone on earth was expecting Chicago to be planning how to get Michael Jordan enough space to take the final shot of the game.
It was at that moment that Michael looked at his teammate, Steve Kerr, and told him to be ready.
When play resumed, the ball found its way to Jordan. As he expected, he was immediately closed down by two opponents, leaving him no room to work his magic.
This double-team defence, however, meant that our friend Steve Kerr was standing alone in space.
Jordan passed him the ball, and he took the shot.
Jordan passed him the ball, and he took the shot.
With just 5 seconds remaining of the final, Steve Kerr hit his crucial shot. In one instant, he had reached the pinnacle of his career.
The Bulls won, and Kerr was mobbed by his teammates
The Bulls won, and Kerr was mobbed by his teammates
All very good, but what does this have to do with #Coronavirus?
Well, it’s important that we understand Steve Kerr’s role with the Chicago Bulls.
He was a role-player – someone who knows they will never be the star of the team, but who can be counted on when it comes to crunch-time.
He was a role-player – someone who knows they will never be the star of the team, but who can be counted on when it comes to crunch-time.
Steve was content with supporting his teammates, doing his part and knowing that, while his personal contribution might not grab headlines, it helped the team.
This is where we can all take inspiration from Steve.
What we’re all doing doesn’t seem remarkable – we’re all just doing our little bit by staying safe, keeping our distance and following the hygiene basics like hand washing.
Headlines won’t be written about the thousands of people in Doncaster, and across the UK, who are not doing much other than staying at home as much as possible, going for the odd walk/ jog/cycle/ essential shopping trip, but every one of you is crucial.
That’s because we don’t NEED everyone to be grabbing headlines.
We need the quiet, determined, reliable Steve Kerrs to get us through this situation
We need the quiet, determined, reliable Steve Kerrs to get us through this situation
We all have different approaches.
Some of us are getting through with quiet determination.
Some of us are eager to show we’re working towards the greater good.
Some of us are getting through with quiet determination.
Some of us are eager to show we’re working towards the greater good.
Thank you, @SteveKerr, for hitting that shot and showing us that EVERY person on the team has a vital role to play.
