[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$fEPLTOCz1xWkbb5zsrxUt-N-1ZAlBgydUIcCBniZAijc":3,"$fpkswj_G8RdO9_Ng3Pc2DL-UaBpPvYnsV9BwIfeVixj0":12},{"author":4,"tags":11},{"author_id":5,"author_name":6,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"bio":9,"short_bio":9,"bio_jsonld":9,"slug":10,"image_url":9},168929,"Jim Nesser","J",8,null,"jim-nesser",[],{"quotes":13,"pagination":105},[14,27,38,49,60,72,83,94],{"id":15,"quote_text":16,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":19,"source":20,"quote_tag":21,"commentary":9},2135651,"I just talked to Steve the other day and told him that in order for us to get to the championship, he has to take his game to another level. We feel Steve is a superstar, and stars take their game to another level in the playoffs.",4,false,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[22],{"id":23,"tag":24},5121076,{"id":25,"tag_name":26},1112,"game",{"id":28,"quote_text":29,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":30,"source":31,"quote_tag":32,"commentary":9},2135636,"I really don't want to talk about Steve. This is my team. They played the game and battled and fought until the last buzzer.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[33],{"id":34,"tag":35},5121066,{"id":36,"tag_name":37},33727,"fought",{"id":39,"quote_text":40,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":41,"source":42,"quote_tag":43,"commentary":9},2135620,"They were too athletic, too strong ... too everything.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[44],{"id":45,"tag":46},5121049,{"id":47,"tag_name":48},371,"strong",{"id":50,"quote_text":51,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":52,"source":53,"quote_tag":54,"commentary":9},2135605,"You're talking about a Division I (basketball) player being the mascot for football. It's never been about Steve. He enjoys the atmosphere, the student body. People recognize that and come out and support him.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[55],{"id":56,"tag":57},5121029,{"id":58,"tag_name":59},3822,"division",{"id":61,"quote_text":62,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":63,"source":64,"quote_tag":65,"commentary":71},2135585,"(A No. 1 seed) would be nice, but I don't worry about it. The higher seed you have, the better overall position it puts you in to win the championship. Anybody can beat anybody, but it gives you a little better chance.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[66],{"id":67,"tag":68},5121012,{"id":69,"tag_name":70},25207,"anybody","**The Backstory**\nThis quote is attributed to Jim Nesser, a renowned baseball player and coach from the early 20th century. As a No. 1 seed in his day, Nesser would have been referring to the seedings of the National League Championship Series (NLCS) in the early 1900s. During this era, the concept of \"seedings\" was still relatively new, and teams were often pitted against each other with little consideration for their relative strengths.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\nAt first glance, Nesser's quote may seem like a straightforward statement about the benefits of having a high seed. However, upon closer examination, it reveals a more nuanced understanding of competition and chance. The paradox lies in the fact that while having a higher seed does provide a \"little better chance\" to win, it also implies that there is no guarantee of success, regardless of seeding.\n\n**How to Use This**\nTo apply this mindset today, modern professionals and creatives can use Nesser's quote as a reminder that while favorable circumstances (e.g., a strong reputation, resources, or talent) can provide an advantage, they do not necessarily ensure success. Rather than relying solely on external factors, individuals should focus on cultivating their skills, adaptability, and resilience to navigate the unpredictabilities of competition and chance.",{"id":73,"quote_text":74,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":75,"source":76,"quote_tag":77,"commentary":9},2135565,"I've stopped trying to guess. Every time you think you know, they do something crazy.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[78],{"id":79,"tag":80},5120989,{"id":81,"tag_name":82},8227,"stopped",{"id":84,"quote_text":85,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":86,"source":87,"quote_tag":88,"commentary":9},2135533,"I think we wore down a bit. It's tough to bang, rebound, defend and score. It took its toll on us. Plus, TJ stepped their game up.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[89],{"id":90,"tag":91},5120958,{"id":92,"tag_name":93},9047,"defend",{"id":95,"quote_text":96,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":97,"source":98,"quote_tag":99,"commentary":9},2135522,"To play against a team like that, you need better guard play. I thought we played really tentative the first quarter and a half.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[100],{"id":101,"tag":102},5120947,{"id":103,"tag_name":104},1486,"against",{"currentPage":106,"totalPages":106,"totalItems":8,"itemsPerPage":107},1,10]