As for Deron, some guys just have more natural ability to go along with loads of confidence. Confidence can be cultivated but I also think you're born with a certain amount of it as well. If you want to know who has all the self-confidence on this team, just look at who actually played well against the Lakers. It takes lot of confidence to go up against a guy with the most confidence in the league, Kobe Bryant. I would put Wade as number 2 in confidence and then KD, Ginobili, Deron, etc.
Of course, it takes time to know what to have confidence in--what part of your game you can rely on, etc. It also takes time to get over your remaining weaknesses/fears of failure. Kobe, for example, had to get over his fears of playing against particular players and teams, shooting airballs in the playoffs and getting swept. Wade had to get over his fear of getting hurt again. Deron, as well as several other elite players, sometimes seem to have a little fear of playing the elite teams in the playoffs. When he shakes it off, he plays great. Even Jordan had to get over his fears of people calling him too selfish and not a team player or against certain teams with reputations like the Bad Boys of Detroit, L.A.'s Showtime and Bird's Celtics.
You don't have to win every year to be considered great. To me, an all-time great is someone who overcame their fears, Or, at least overcame most of them. They accomplished many things beyond their natural abliities because of their hard work, dedication and determination to succeed.
In fact, we all struggle with fears and uncertainties that hold us back. We just have to push past them with an eye towards mastery over them. We just have to do what Coach Sloan would suggest: Take it one day at a time. Don't look too far ahead. Just focus on today and tomorrow will get here eventually.
High five, everyone! Yes!
