We All Have NBA Careers

From the archive. Originally published on migmol.com on 2019-06-14, recovered and republished here in 2026 at its original address. Unedited except for formatting.

The NBA is one of the most exciting sports leagues in the world partly because of all the interesting storylines that happen behind the scenes. At the end of the day, the NBA is a business & basketball players are employees. You have more in common with your favorite NBA stars than you think.

There are talents like Lebron, a genuine superstar with all eyes on him even before he joined the NBA. There are also talents that develop their game through time and experience, but end up as some of the best players in the world. Let’s not forget that Kobe was the 13th pick in his draft class (Read: Low draft picks who became NBA superstars).

There are two main coaching styles: drill sergeants and mentors. Both can work, but having the right compatibility between coach & player is critical for success. Some coaches draw up plays and expect you to run them to a T while others are more open to improvisation. What type of coach are you? What’s your management style? What do you look for in a leader?

While some players rely on just pure athleticism, the better players work on their craft. They are lauded for their work ethic. They are first in the gym & last to leave. They go the extra mile: they study game tape and work in the off-season, always sharpening the saw. Players also learn from their teammates and their competitors. Through grueling games and tough match-ups, players learn to acknowledge their weaknesses and evolve their game. In today’s game, you can’t be just a one-trick pony.

And just like the NBA, there is talent movement in corporate life. What attracts people to companies? Some players move to more marketable cities/franchises, like Anthony Davis going to LA, while some grit it out and make their mark through smaller markets, like Giannis Antetokounmpo. Some players are loyal to their franchises, lifers, hoping to have their jerseys retired in the rafters, while some players move around looking for better contracts, chase championships, or find the right environment to develop. What matters to you and your career?

As the era of the Warriors comes to an end, the next NBA season opens up. There are no favorites to win the chip next season. Who dominates your industry? Do the big storied franchises rule or have the younger teams disrupted the status quo?

There can be many allusions between our work history and the NBA. It’s a pretty fun exercise to try to plot your career along the lines of NBA storylines.

I started out as a role player, coming off the bench but always leaving it all out on the court. At some point, the coach gave me a break and my star started to shine. Through time, I found my specialty, honed it, and earned my spot.

I worked for a historic juggernaut which was quite conservative, perhaps like the Spurs with multiple championships under its belt. I was part of some chips, but eventually parted ways with the franchise, kinda like Kawhi. And now I’m moving to an up & coming franchise & city, perhaps like Kyrie going to the Brooklyn Nets trying to make a run for the chip.

What’s your NBA story? If you’re into the NBA at all, I’m sure you already have a draft in mind. Share it in the comments or DM me.