What the NBA Playoffs Teach Us About Leadership

May 15, 2025

A lot has happened in these NBA playoffs. And the best is yet to come!

Incredible comebacks after teams overcoming 20+ point deficits. Teams that believe in their plan. That never give up. That keep playing until the very end.

The message? Belief and resilience can shift any momentum.

We’ve seen spectacular moments: game-winners, jaw-dropping dunks, impossible threes. These playoffs have shown just how evenly matched the teams are. Talent is everywhere, and the difference between winning and losing often comes down to just one play.

But we’ve also seen the other side: injuries. Exhaustion. Maybe giving teams so little rest during the playoffs isn’t such a great idea?

Still, what stuck with me the most was something Aaron Gordon said after hitting a game-winner in the series against the Clippers:

“When we speak to each other, it comes from experience, knowledge, wisdom, and compassion.”

That’s not just basketball talk. That’s leadership.

Behind every highlight is a system built on:

Clear communication: fast, intentional, and respectful.

Hard work: the kind no one sees.

No ego: just roles, trust, and a shared goal.

Daily reps: the foundation of consistency.

So, as we enjoy the rest of these playoffs, the buzzer-beaters, the drama, the brilliance, let’s also remember what’s happening behind the scenes:

Leadership isn’t about shouting the loudest.

It’s about showing up, doing the work, and lifting others.

Whether you’re on the court or in code.

"Self-education is, I firmly believe, the only kind of education there is." - Isaac Asimov