Clashing swords, blood spilling on the ground, and soldiers rising from the grounds to fight their last breaths, quite indicative of a horrific war. This is the true nature of rivalries between opposing forces. The Legends Club, by John Feinstein highlights a rivalry between the three coaches, Jim Valvano, Mike Krzyzewski, and Dean Smith. Each feels a burning passion to thrash the other team when they match up. What really comes out of this intense rivalry? In fact, it motivates people to come back stronger than ever, and it allows for room to improve. Rivalry allows individuals to increase motivation and strengthen their skill sets.
Ever heard of the phrase: “rise from the ashes?” When it comes to rivalries, after defeat, players have strong motivation to rise up to the challenge, but this time, stronger than they were previously. As a fresh coach for Duke, Krzyzewskli would inevitably get caught up in the winds with the Duke vs North Carolina rivalry. Duke and North Carolina would actually meet early in Coach Ks’ first season, at the Atlantic Coast Conference. Although at the time, Duke possessed a monster of a starting lineup, so did North Carolina. With back and forth scoring between the two teams, the game almost seemed even. However, one mistake would leave Duke trailing North Carolina 78-76 and ultimately, securing a loss. After the loss, Dean Smith would shake the hands of the opposing teams’ coaches. When it came to Coach K., he wouldn’t let go, irritating Smith. Coach K forced Smith to acknowledge that it was “a hell of a game”, yet Smith seemed to care less than he ever could. Releasing their grips, it was clear that wicks had been lit within their eyes. Coach K was ready to come back and return the loss that he and his team had just received. Oftentimes, motivation offers passion which drives people to perform at their best, but rivalry is more than just being passionate, it’s about learning.
In order to become one of the greatest, Coach K improved after every loss and used winning, solely as a means to check whether he had improved or not Although Coach K may have suffered a defeat and disappointed fans on his first meet with NC, so what? Eventually, he would be revered as one of the greatest coaches of all time. Losing wasn’t simply scoring less points than the other team before the clock ran out, it was just an opportunity to learn to adjust. Not only does defeat motivate individuals in a way that mentally prepares them but also physically as well. Take Michael Jordan as an example. Despite winning a championship, he and his team wouldn’t slack off the following year. They would come back and win again and again. Their rivalry with the Jazz simply strengthened their passion to win.
Whatever it may be, rivalry strengthens one’s ability to resist pressure. In the face of defeat, individuals see a new light that guides them on a path to reach their goals. Rivalry enhances motivation and knowledge, serving as a key tool to carve the paths of legends such as Coach K and Dean Smith.