‘Fes: Ready in a Flash’ (M. Majchrzak - NBAE/Getty Images)

Why do I think sports are such a powerful example to my girls??? Take a look at the lessons learned in the Jazz vs. Lakers game on Thursday!

Lesson #1 If you can’t start, BE READY: It is so easy for youth to get caught up in ‘who’s starting’. We all want to be starters. But sometimes, you aren’t. And when you aren’t, well, BE READY! The Jazz bench was ready and willing. Absolutely phenomenal! Not to mention the ‘up from the D league, Mr. Fesenko’!

Lesson #2 PROVE IT ON THE COURT: The entire game was a ‘I’ll show you how well I can play Mr. Sloan’ kind of a night. With awesome play after intense play.

Lesson #3 PLAY AS A TEAM: During this game, there was quite a bit of spotlight sharing–and after all, this is what being a TEAM is all about. As a team you have to play your strengths and minimize your weaknesses. When you have two starters out for the game, well, everyone has to step up.

Half-way through the game I thought to myself. . . “I wonder if Coach Sloan is even trying to coach this game, or did he just say, ‘go out there and do what you can do’ . I would have wanted to be the coach during this game. I would have just sat back and watched the fireworks.

When you get play like this from off the bench, well, my hopes for JAZZ playoff basketball are renewed. I, for one, am going to BE READY for that!