Thank you Kaleb Canales for being ready for the moment.
The Portland Trailblazers were in the midst of a lackluster season. Restless fans, annoyed front office staff and irritated players combined to make a horrible recipe for a dish called mediocre.
Head coach Nate McMillan was fired.
Enter Kaleb Canales.
No logged NBA playing time but countless hours spent logging NBA game film.
No father or family member who was a former NBA player or coach but the respect of several NBA greats.
No college or NBA coaching experience but a graduate degree in sports leadership and an incredible work ethic. On most nights when Canales was a video assistant he chose to sleep in the Trailblazers players’ lounge so he could be the first person at work the next day.
The Blazers have a former NBA head coach and former NBA All-Star on their coaching staff. Both of those were passed over and Canales was given the chance to lead the team for the rest of the year.
Kaleb Canales was ready for the moment.
Currently Portland is 7-7 under Canales and 3.5 games back of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Many people are hoping the Trailblazers will make the push and qualify for the postseason. More than a feel good story it would show yet another payoff for being ready for the moment.
Canales went from the living the life of a lowly unpaid intern to having his chance at leading a NBA team. From logging game film to becoming the youngest coach in the game. His number was called and he was ready.
He didn’t slack off when he wasn’t in charge. He didn’t take short cuts when he thought no one was paying attention. He didn’t see his work behind the scenes as unimportant. Because of this he was ready for his moment.
Are you ready for your moment?
Preparation + Opportunity = Success
I have heard that many times and it is great to be ready for your moment. We all have felt times when we were not ready. Thanks for the inspiring post.