Flipping the switch

I stand on the far left block.  The ball is taken out on the near left sideline.  Our point guard runs off the first screen to distract the defenders.   Josh, our sharpshooter, sneaks off the free-throw line the second screen.  1.4 seconds remain…we are down by two (103-105).  I flashback to two days earlier when Josh and I had been talking about game-winning shots and how I have never hit one.  He simply replied, “Have you had any chances?” I thought about it for a second and realized I have never had a game-winning attempt.   Josh says he has hit a few in his career and explains “it’s just like any other shot”.  His quiet confidence is obvious.   The defenders bite on the decoy first screen.  I stand away from the action, holding my defender close.  My job is to come off the third screen if they deny Josh the ball.  Josh runs off Ramon and has room.  Catch… Release…  My hands naturally go up making a field goal type pose.  I’m anticipating for the swish and the celebration.  I watch the ball leave his hand and realize he put some extra “uhhmmff” into the stroke. Catch… Release… The defenders try and recover but it’s too late.  Josh gets off a clean shot.  I watch the perfect rotation off his fingers… it’s online. The ball hits the backboard and splashes the net.   The entire team sprints towards Josh and we yell and celebrate like we are 12 years old…  Pure and utter bliss.    It’s one of those moments that you remember why you play the game.  

WATCH THE MOMENT HERE!

This game and win meant more to me than most.  This game was the game I had been waiting for all season.  After a frustrating first half of the year, I was finally getting my chance.  As I have written about all year, I’ve been overly frustrated with my playing time.  Coach and I just hadn’t been able to see eye to eye and I had been pigeonholed in a role I was not fond of.  At halftime of the game before this one against Hod Hosheron, my coach pulled me aside to speak with me.   We were getting destroyed and had been down as much at 21 points in the first half.  He put his arm around me and simply said “you are starting this half, change the game!”  It was the first sign of confidence he had shown me for months.  I played the entire second half and had 7pts 4rebs.  My energy helped us come back in the game.  Unfortunately, we lost by two.  I was back though and the coach knew it.

This last game was the first game I started in 7 weeks.  I needed to play well and solidify my position.  I played the first 5 minutes and was taken out for the next 10mins of game time.  I was furious on the bench.  I couldn’t even sit down so I paced the sideline waiting to be put back in.  The coach had fallen back into his rotation and I was gopher-holed right back to the bench.  When I was finally put back in with 4:25 to go in the first half, I was overly anxious and clearly upset.  I took a breath and heard my friend yell to me from the crowd “Right back in it… no worries.”  He was right.  I was so caught up in the playing time that I think too much when I’m actually in the game.   I had a quick flashback realization that brought me back to the day before.  I typically go to the gym every morning and just shoot around by myself.   I play mental games constantly and try and hit ridiculous shots, or I visualize different defensive schemes and make the appropriate play.  I have been focusing a lot of my attention recently on what I call “No result shooting”.  I focus solely on the preparation of the shot and not on the result (make or miss).   It doesn’t matter.  As long as I set my feet, shoulders, eyes, hands… the result doesn’t matter to me.  I did what I needed to do in preparation and that is all I can do.  It has drastically changed my approach to the game.  So at that moment, when I heard “right back in it” I calmed my mind and focused.

The focus worked as I had my best game of the season.  It was honestly my best game in over 6 years.   I finished with 23pts 6assts 3rebs 3/4 2’s 5/5 3’s 2/2 FTs.  I was finally playing the way I wanted to play.  I was completely out of my own mind for the first time.  

GAME HIGHLIGHTS HERE (Sorry for the quality but the HD wouldn't upload)

Another quick story before I head to practice. After almost 3 weeks of not being paid, our team was fed up.  We decided to go on strike until we got paid.  We were to show up to practice, but not dress and not play.  The management and coaches were notified and we were set to follow through with the plan.  Turns out management miraculously came up with most of the money and paid us that day… most of us.  I decided our strike was officially part of the Occupy Movement and I made picket signs…!!!  One side said "Occupy Tivon Square Gardens," the other said "You no pay... We no play"