And so it is for the Otago Nuggets. The much-maligned franchise snapped a 33-game losing-streak with a 74-67 win against the Manawatu Jets at the Edgar Centre on Saturday night.
It had been more than three years since the Nuggets last won a game in the National Basketball League and emotions were running high.
But Nuggets coach Alf Arlidge, one of the more ebullient characters in the league, was fairly subdued, all things considered.
He told the Otago Daily Times his side had got the ball rolling and needed to keep believing.
"I just think the guys are starting to believe in the plays we are running," Arlidge said.
"And maybe I've taken charge more in the last couple of weeks in terms of morale and remaining positive."
It is just one win after all - even if it was a much-needed win - and the Nuggets need to build on what momentum they have generated.
But, for once, the stars had fallen into line for the Nuggets. Classy point guard Jeremy Kench broke a bone in his left foot in Friday night's double overtime loss to the Southland Sharks in Invercargill. He could only lean on his crutches and watch helplessly from the bench and the Jets struggled to get any rhythm on offence.
Nuggets centre Lance Allred was an inspiration with 22 points and 15 rebounds, and fellow American Scott O'Gallagher and Tall Black forward Craig Bradshaw scored 15 points.
Bradshaw played himself to a standstill and limped from the arena with a satisfied smile.
O'Gallagher, who had been under fire for a lacklustre performance the previous week, did a remarkable job keeping the league's most potent scorer Darryl Hudson scoreless.
Hudson had been averaging more than 22 points a game but was 0-9 from the field.
"I thought Scott and Sam [To'omata] did a great job on him tonight," Arlidge said.
"But I thought we gave Nick [Horvath] too many easy baskets. But then that guy is amazing. He is just a great player."
Horvath scored a game-high 25 points and snatched eight rebounds. He completely dominated the opening exchanges, scoring 13 points in the opening quarter and threatened to take the game away from the Nuggets.
But the night belonged to Allred. He made his presence felt with a powerful performance in the second quarter, scoring eight points and grabbing seven rebounds.
While Allred lacks the athleticism and finesse of Horvath, he makes up for any shortcomings with determination and the invaluable ability to turn up exactly where he is needed.
With the outcome still uncertain, and the league's leading scorer taking the ball to the hoop, somehow Allred willed himself across the extra metre he needed to make to his left and swatted away Hudson's attempted floater.
Allred roared through a half-smile-half-grimace and pumped his fist in triumph, and the 1200-strong crowd rose to their feet and joined him in celebration.
The Jets were forced to foul and the 2.11m American drilled another two points from the free throw line to complete the victory.
The win meant an enormous amount to Allred, who was reduced to tears by the emotion. But it was also a special occasion for Tom Rowe.
The talented young forward made his debut for the Nuggets in 2008 alongside back-up point guard James Ross.
The pair have been a constant presence during the long losing streak and, arguably, no-one wanted a win more.
"I was just going nuts," Rowe said.
"How can you not feel amazing? It was incredible to see the crowd standing up and going mental cheering us. All my family and my friends were up there and I could finally give them something to be happy about."
