Motown Magic Weekly Recap: The Week of Meaningful Losses

Another week is in the books, and I’m calling this past stretch in our Magic Universe The Week of Meaningful Losses.

Experiencing tight competition down the stretch is almost a rite of passage—it’s the ultimate stress test for our organization. These moments give us real data on where we stand as a team. As a coach, I embrace these growth opportunities because I know they make us better. But as a die-hard Motown Magic fan? Losing never sits well with me.

The reality is, we’re on the younger side in this level of competition. Some would say just being here is a success for these kids, but I believe the success started the moment our families came together and committed to this intense schedule.

Not everyone gets the minutes they want, and lineups are often determined by matchups, opportunities, and strategic advantages. That can be tough to accept, especially when you're the one making sacrifices. It’s easy to forget all the great moments when one tough game overshadows them. But this journey isn't just about our kids—it’s about us as parents, too. At the next level, coaches will always do what gives them the best chance to win, regardless of how we feel. This is as much a learning experience for us as it is for them.

That being said, I couldn’t be more proud of our boys and the journey we’re on together!

Every single one of our kids is imperfect. They make tons of mistakes, just like the amazing, talented teammate playing right beside them—who is just as imperfect as they are. Some games, your child will shine. Other games, you might wonder if they should even be on the team.

Spoiler alert: That feeling? It’s completely normal. We all go through it. In fact, it’s a sign that both you and your child are competing at a high level. As we navigate those emotions, that’s where the maturity happens.

I sacrifice TJ’s time and skillset often for the growth and development of others. As a parent, I feel the same emotions you do. Of course, I’d love for him to average 20 points, 10 assists, and 8 steals. But maybe—just maybe—this process is exactly what will get him there.

So trust the process. Because one thing is certain: Every single one of these kids looks better today than they did yesterday.

This week, I want to highlight our MVPs—because sometimes, losses teach us more than wins:

🏀 Game 1 vs. Raptors⭐ Darnell Wingate – 16pts, 54% FG, 2 STL DJ dominated their perimeter players, scoring at will and putting this game away early.

🏀 Game 2 vs. Ground Up⭐ Alvis Wilson – 15pts, 50% FG, 33% 3PT, 12 REB, 1 STL Alvis’ length and versatility caused major problems for Ground Up, earning him a double-double.

🏀 Game 3 vs. Silow⭐ Ben Hefel – 10pts, 100% FG, 7 REB, 1 STL Ben’s strong, resilient play kept us in the fight and made us an impossible out down the stretch.

🏀 Game 4 vs. Ballplayas⭐ TJ Daniel – 6pts, 50% 3PT, 2 STL TJ’s leadership and control of the tempo against a tough Ballplayas squad were exceptional. His error-free game brought us within one possession of the win.

This was one of the most important weeks of our season. We all got 1% better in different ways—together. No pain, no gain.

See you next week. GO MAGIC!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mudq6wAJJbQ