The Boston Celtics have won the first two games of the NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks and have proven to be the deeper and more balanced team. Jayson Tatum has been the leading scorer for the Celtics during this playoff run, but his shot hasn’t been falling in this series, shooting 6 for 16 in Game 1 and 6 for 22 in Game 2. Yet, the Celtics keep winning thanks to a total team effort. They have relied on one another to play their specific roles while guys have stepped up and stepped in as Tatum struggles from the field. The Celtics have five players averaging 16 or more points through two games. Kristaps Porzingis was huge in game 1 while Jrue Holiday led the way in game 2 with 26 points on 11 of 14 shooting. Jaylen Brown has played tremendously, while Derrick White and Al Horford have contributed significantly. On the flip side, only Luka Doncic has been averaging more than 16 points for the Dallas Mavericks. Although he’s been performing at a high level (including a triple-double in game 2), he hasn’t been able to rely on his teammates to step up and help with the scoring, resulting in being down 0-2 in the series. Anyone watching these games has seen the difference between the Celtics’ more complete team effort and the Mavs trying to win with one player carrying the load. Here are some of the reactions from the media: “This has become a one-man team, Luka, against a much deeper roster.” - Colin Cowherd, Fox Sports “Luka Doncic alone will not get this done” - Doris Burke, ESPN “They have no chance if no one other than Doncic shows up.” - Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram A headline from Theringer.com reads, “Luka Doncic Is the Finals’ Best Player, but That’s Not Enough to Beat the Boston Celtics.” Cbssports.com uses the headline, “Celtics vs. Mavericks score: NBA Finals Game 2 takeaways as Jayson Tatum gets help, Luka Doncic doesn't,” and a sub-headline that says, “Luka can't do this alone.” The bottom line is that basketball is a team sport, and Luka needs his teammates to show up, contribute, and help carry the load if they want to experience winning in this series. This is also true when we try to do things independently or don’t have the right teammates “on the court” with us. As I wrote last week, we must rely on the power of Christ “to win” and persevere. Today, as we follow Jesus, I want to remind us of the importance of depending on teammates and walking the journey alongside them. Just like Luka can’t beat the Celtics alone and needs help, we can only go so far as a “one-man team.” We need a “deep roster” to win, which includes brothers and sisters in Christ-deep friends, mentors, pastors, teachers, coaches, and counselors. We also must be willing to be the teammates on whom others can depend. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NLT) explains, “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.” These are some questions for us to consider: Who is showing up for us? Who are we showing up for? Who are we relying on? Who is relying on us? Who is picking us up when our “shot isn’t falling”? Who is stepping up to fill in the gap? Who is stepping in when we need someone to come through for us? Are we isolating or inviting others to join us and help carry each other’s burdens? Galatians 6:2 (NLT) tells us to “Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (AMP) reminds us, “Therefore encourage and comfort one another and build up one another, just as you are doing.” It’s too hard to win the NBA Finals alone, and this life is too demanding on our own, so let’s depend on our teammates in the body of Christ and share the load as we show up for one another…especially when our “shot isn’t falling.” I’m Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please remove my pride in thinking I can do things on my own. Surround me with the right teammates—people willing to carry each other's burdens, offer encouragement and help one another become more like Jesus. I’m thankful that You didn’t create us to be alone. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
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