Reincarnated

Basketball’s Downfall or Its Rise

Basketball holds a mystique that sets it apart from other sports, even from life itself. It’s strange: the lone success of making a shot can erase the memory of countless missed attempts. The shooter, who moments before might have doubted everything, becomes emboldened by a single moment of triumph. It’s as if that one made basket rewrites the story, not just of the game, but of the player’s self-perception.

Why does this happen? What is it about seeing the ball go through the hoop that allows us to dismiss failure and press on?

At its core, this is more than just an athletic occurrence; it’s a psychological event. The brain rewards success with a rush of endorphins—a natural high that feels like scaling a mountain or escaping a dire situation. The relief is visceral, the triumph undeniable. Even players with minimal understanding of the game—those who lack the fundamentals that are basketball’s gift to beginners—can find themselves forever changed by the sight of the ball swishing through the net. That single success births a level of confidence that blinds them to their inexperience and fills them with an irrepressible determination.

The Irreplaceable Power of "One"

Basketball is unique in this regard. Imagine a similar scenario in another domain of life, like the nerve-wracking experience of approaching someone you’re attracted to. For many, the fear of rejection feels insurmountable. Your hands sweat, your voice falters, and should you face rejection, the sting lingers. It often creates a hesitancy that lasts long after the moment has passed, reinforcing the fear with each replay in your mind, forcing someone who has undergone rejection to avoid all future attempts!

But basketball? Basketball doesn’t dwell on failure. A novice can miss 20 shots in a row, horrifically, without technique or form, and still shoot again. And again. And again. Because with just one made basket, everything changes. That solitary success dissolves insecurities, silences self-doubt, and makes the impossible feel within reach.

The act of making a single basket is like flipping a switch. It turns on a flood of optimism, ambition, and joy. The player becomes fearless, convinced they belong, and ready to face the next shot with confidence, no matter how grim the odds were moments before.

The Birth of Belief

"Just one basket" is a powerful teacher. It can transform the timid into the relentless. It creates a believer—not just in the game but in themselves. The beauty lies in its simplicity: the hoop doesn’t care about your past failures. It only knows what you just accomplished.

This phenomenon is perhaps why basketball draws so many people into its orbit. It rewards effort in the most visible, visceral, and simple way. You don’t need to be a polished player or an expert in the game’s nuances to experience the rush of success. That one made basket can ignite a love affair with the game and a determination to keep shooting, keep improving, and keep playing.

A Shot Beyond Basketball

Kobe incarnate.

This strange truth about basketball is also a metaphor for life. In the face of repeated failures, how often do we stop trying? How often do we convince ourselves that the mountain is too tall to climb? Basketball teaches us to persist, to live again, and to hold out for that one moment of success that changes everything.

“Just one made basket” isn’t merely about scoring in a game; it’s about discovering the persistence within ourselves. It’s about finding the courage to keep shooting, no matter how many times we miss. It’s about believing that success—even if fleeting—is enough to inspire us to take the next shot.

And in that sense, basketball mirrors the human spirit at its best. It shows us that failure isn’t final and that every attempt brings us closer to the moment when the ball finally goes in. Because sometimes, all it takes is just one made basket.

I have never seen failure keep anyone away forever in this game. No matter the failure, people come back the next week to try again. Sure, they may have a bruised ego but they return.