Be a locker room player
Be a locker room player, a lesson from one of the greatest.
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to be in the middle of a conversation with the legendary Lakers forward, James Worthy.
Remember, the Lakers were the bomb, to use an 80’s term. From Kareem to Magic to Worthy to Cooper to Byron Scott, they were dominant. Worthy won 3 NBA titles in the 80’s.
As he answered questions and reflected on his career, one story struck me.
Worthy talked about how the Lakers traded Bob McAdoo. For the record, McAdoo averaged 22 points in his career. He was a player.
But, as Worthy reflected on the trade, he said that much more than McAdoo’s performance on the court, he was a “locker room guy.” He was the glue of team. He maintained the culture and the unity in the locker room.
After that trade, he talked about the division of the team and the eventual unexpected loss in the playoffs caused by the lack of unity.
Be a locker room player.
When the lights are off, when only a few are around, be the one that offers optimism, hope, brings a message of unity and peace. Live your values.
We need locker room players in our company, on our team, in our marriages and families, and with our friends.
Locker room players are the ones that leave a meaningful legacy.
I asked Worthy who was the most legendary trash talker that he faced. Without hesitation, he said, you guessed it, “Bird.”
But then he followed by saying, “But no one talked trash to us. We were too good.”
Legend answer.
Impact others. Live generously.