[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$f54zKwfUJFrGSQllTaQvl5pw0TC-Y8Wur4KRpDnKpqnU":3,"$fjAhK8OSiyEeDbQg9NZx0jwtTCEP5gabLVTmTaLHJ-ok":12},{"author":4,"tags":11},{"author_id":5,"author_name":6,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"bio":9,"short_bio":9,"slug":10,"image_url":9},78887,"Isiah Thomas","I",77,null,"isiah-thomas",[],{"quotes":13,"pagination":113},[14,22,28,34,46,57,69,80,91,102],{"id":15,"quote_text":16,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":19,"source":20,"quote_tag":21,"commentary":9},3090810,"To answer that question honestly, I’d have to lie to you.",6,false,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":23,"quote_text":24,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":25,"source":26,"quote_tag":27,"commentary":9},3090800,"It was important to me to believe, because if I don’t believe, how can I expect them to believe?",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":29,"quote_text":30,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":31,"source":32,"quote_tag":33,"commentary":9},3090789,"Basketball is not played simply with X’s and O’s. It’s played with both trust and confidence.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[],{"id":35,"quote_text":36,"author_id":5,"source_id":37,"has_image":18,"author":38,"source":39,"quote_tag":40,"commentary":9},2611063,"Basketball is not played simply with X's and O's. It's played with both trust and confidence.",4,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[41],{"id":42,"tag":43},5589346,{"id":44,"tag_name":45},104338,"nba",{"id":47,"quote_text":48,"author_id":5,"source_id":37,"has_image":18,"author":49,"source":50,"quote_tag":51,"commentary":9},2611055,"To answer that question honestly, I'd have to lie to you.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[52],{"id":53,"tag":54},5589342,{"id":55,"tag_name":56},809,"sports",{"id":58,"quote_text":59,"author_id":5,"source_id":37,"has_image":18,"author":60,"source":61,"quote_tag":62,"commentary":68},2611051,"I do envision championship basketball and when you talk about championship basketball, you talk about a good defensive team, you talk about a good offensive team and you talk about a team that really has its act together once they step on the floor. Our goal is to dominate the east and we must continue to dominate the east so that we can have another return to the NBA Finals. And I think mentally we have to become a tougher basketball team. I think mental toughness is going to be the thing that makes us champions.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[63],{"id":64,"tag":65},5589335,{"id":66,"tag_name":67},2293,"act","**The Backstory**\n\nThis quote, attributed to Isiah Thomas, was likely said during his coaching tenure with the Toronto Raptors (2000-2003) or possibly during his NBA playing days with the Detroit Pistons (1981-1990), a team known for its tough defense and strong team chemistry. As a member of the Pistons' \"Bad Boys,\" Thomas experienced firsthand the importance of mental toughness in achieving championship success.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\n\nWhat lies beneath this statement is not just a call to improve physical skills, but an acknowledgment that true greatness requires a delicate balance between individual talent and collective cohesion. The quote reveals that Isiah Thomas understands that mental toughness – often overlooked as a crucial aspect of team success – can be the deciding factor in achieving championships.\n\n**How to Use This**\n\nTo apply this mindset today, consider that the most effective teams are not just those with exceptional talent, but those who have cultivated a strong sense of camaraderie and collective mental resilience. By prioritizing mental toughness through practices like mindfulness, self-reflection, and group bonding exercises, modern professionals can build an unshakeable foundation for achieving excellence in their respective fields.",{"id":70,"quote_text":71,"author_id":5,"source_id":37,"has_image":18,"author":72,"source":73,"quote_tag":74,"commentary":9},2611046,"He's meant so much to all of us, even the people who didn't play for him. But the people who lived in Chicago, who walked the communities, looked for food or looked for a warm place to say, he was always there for you.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[75],{"id":76,"tag":77},5589330,{"id":78,"tag_name":79},422,"food",{"id":81,"quote_text":82,"author_id":5,"source_id":37,"has_image":18,"author":83,"source":84,"quote_tag":85,"commentary":9},2611040,"I don't think there's another player who would have done that. We've all been blessed to have known him as a player, and we're all extremely fortunate to know him as a man.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[86],{"id":87,"tag":88},5589324,{"id":89,"tag_name":90},4560,"blessed",{"id":92,"quote_text":93,"author_id":5,"source_id":37,"has_image":18,"author":94,"source":95,"quote_tag":96,"commentary":9},2611034,"I don't think that we will be actively out shopping, trying to make a deal or anything like that. I think it's pretty safe to say we're happy and comfortable with where we are, but if there's an opportunity to improve our team, I definitely will look at it. Coach and I will talk about it and if it makes sense, we'll do it.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[97],{"id":98,"tag":99},5589319,{"id":100,"tag_name":101},58090,"actively",{"id":103,"quote_text":104,"author_id":5,"source_id":37,"has_image":18,"author":105,"source":106,"quote_tag":107,"commentary":9},2611027,"He's really working hard. He believes one day that he'll get back to his original form, and we want to give him every opportunity to do that.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[108],{"id":109,"tag":110},5589310,{"id":111,"tag_name":112},17350,"believes",{"currentPage":114,"totalPages":115,"totalItems":8,"itemsPerPage":116},1,8,10]