Page 102 - How to Drive the Bottom Line with People

Built to Serve

McLemore’s teammates, a rookie guard and future
star missed every shot he took. Despite repeated

attempts to score, he could not buy a basket—clearly
a case of a rare off night for a player whose stock was
rising otherwise. Despite the close game, the fans in

attendance became increasingly irritated.
Since I had special credentials from McLemore, my
seat next to the Rockets bench placed me just a few
feet from the target of their hostility, and I watched as
the player remained focused on the game. Some mean-

spirited Houston fans hurled insults at the talented
guard, and several appeared ready to throw cups of
78
= beer on him at every timeout. I had never seen such

treatment of a player by fans in my life. As it turned
out, the target of their hostility found himself at the
free throw line with a chance to win the game that
night. The Rockets trailed by one point.
He had two free throws. If he made both, the Rock-

ets would win. The player took dead aim, even as
some of the more vocal hometown fans continued to
shout threats. “Swoosh!” Nothing but net. With the

score tied, the fans’ mood suddenly changed. They
began chanting his name.
The young player paused as he looked at the bas-
ket. He bounced the basketball twice on the floor,