When I didn’t have a good feeling about a test, the first thing I would do is call my parents, partly because I wanted reassurance that I wasn’t a reflection of whatever grade I’d probably be getting, and partly, because I wanted to brace them for the bad grade. There’s something my father said that always put things in perspective. He always asked me, “did you do your best?”

One day, we would love to get a chance to interview Kawhi Leonard so he could tell us more about his sober-mindedness. But in the meantime, we can only brainstorm reasons why one wouldn’t be deterred after a loss or excited after a win. Maybe, just maybe, it’s because the outcome of the game, the test, or any challenge, isn’t nearly as relevant as whether or not one did his/her best. Because if you’ve done your very best, then you’ve already won. There’s a certain rationality to this mindset we believe Kawhi must have because it enables him to always have his emotions in check, while keeping what is important in perspective: the game.

As for his face, I would argue that while it remains the same from the beginning to the end of the game, it’s representative of two very different emotions. His face before the game is one of determination, hellbent on winning the game, not between himself and the opposing team, but between himself and his true opponent, the Kawhi from the night before. But the second face, after the game ends in a win or a loss, is one of contentedness because he has given the game his all.

Kawhi might have not intended it, but through his game and his work ethic, he shines as an example of what it means to be sober-minded. We see how he redefines a win or loss and does so with a temperate demeanor and an intentional goal. I don’t know about you, but I’m taking notes.