Blog with Bryan Smithson

With the weekend coming to close I always like to reflect on my week in preperation for the following week.  I got a lot done this week, but I was a bit off schedule because I had several tests that had me up later than I wanted to be.  I need to be more efficient when it comes to sticking to a schedule this upcoming week.  Besides that, it was a successful week when I ask myself "did you get better."- as a basketball player and as a person.  I did. 

I took the entire day off today because my body was breaking down and one thing I always keep in mind is that recovery is just as important as the hard work you need to put in.  I got plenty of rest and I am ready to have a great week  before I head to Bradenton, Florida for my last training session with Dan Barto (IMG) and then the regular season practice will be starting.  I'm looking forward to getting with Dan for a couple days to be able to show the things I have been working on since last time we met up.  o yea-------its 1230am right now and that means it is OCT 1ST--------exactly 1 month before our first exhibition

countdown begins

Posted by bryan at 11:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I wasn't able to get to the computer yesterday, things got a little hectic.  Saturdays are always great for me because I don't have to worry about classes and appointments or any of that stuff.  It was great sleeping untill 1030 and not having to rush through my lovely breakfast.  After eating I called my teammate Andrew Lomond (transfered in this year) and told him I was headed to the gym for a jumping/movement workout.  He met me there and we had a pretty intense workout.  We brought out the hitting pad and were smacking each other with it as we attempted to dunk different ways in different scenarios.  Obviously, he is a big man (6'8 270lbs) so I set up his drills differently then mine-- dropsteps in the post and rolls to the basket.  I did some splitting screens, taking the hit and dunking, catching it off the rim, backboard tips, among some other things.  It was a very good wkout and we tired our legs out pretty good.  Because we were playing pick-up shortly after we needed to go refuel on food and water and we watched a little bit of the UNCA mens soccer team who impressed me on their improvement from last year.  As for pick-up, the first couple games I tried to get all my teammates involved on the offensive side.  After everyone was feeling good about each other I started thinking about scoring more and my mid range game-- I started off cold but ended up making some tough shots, and creating space very well for myself against a very good defender in KJ Garland--always makes it tough to get a good shot.  I tried to keep it balanced between working on my game and making sure my teammates were getting better at the same time.  My legs got tired toward the end so I know I need a little bit more conditioning next week. 

My brother moved up here about a year ago to help me train in my downtime, so Saturday evenings are always a good time for us to chill out and talk about the week.  We pretty much just chilled around the apartment and then went and hung out with some of my teammates at a little party right off campus.  It was a good time, but my body was tired and when I hit the bed it was over!

Posted by bryan at 12:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Thank God It's Friday.  I have to say it was a good one too.  When I woke up this morning I called coach Cogburn and asked him if he would have time to work me out today.  He said to come to the gym after my humanities lecture and he would work me out individually.  I love working out with Coach Cogburn because I get a lot of shots up.  Throughout the workout I felt really good about my mechanics.  From there I went to grab some lunch and get my body ready to play pick-up (team) at 330pm.  Before I even went in the gym I told myself to really concentrate on playmaking for my teammates.  I realize that I had too many turnovers last year and that has to improve in order to get to the next level and be successful.  Therefore, it is important for me as a point guard to implement my playmaking abilities into the pick-up games. It went very well but I definitely have to give most of the credit to my teammates who were doing great at moving, cutting, talking, and knocking down shots. I was especially impressed with how hard Garrett Moles was working underneath the basket and on his concentration on pick-and-rolls with me.  He picked his spots well.  Overall it was a very beneficial day on the court. 

Got away from the court finally and enjoyed an unbelievable dinner at the Grove Park Inn with my teammate's (Reid Augst) parents.  Steak, mashed potatoes, lobster tail, and I even broke down and had a slice of cheesecake -----hell its friday and I am only human right??!!!! Possibly the best meal I have ever had... Thanks Mr. and Mrs. Augst.  Time to rest up and prepare for tomorrow.

Posted by bryan at 12:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well, the day started early this morning at 630am when I woke up to eat a good breakfast.  We lifted as a team at 745am and it went well.  With only one class today I was able to concentrate on getting better on the court.  We had a 4man workout this afternoon that went okay, but it gave me an idea of where the guards are as we grind the last of the preseason out.  We definitely need to play more pick up games during the week because when we played two on two at the end of the workout we all looked rusty, which isn't usually the case.  With KJ Garland and I being the captains and starting backcourt, we can't afford to be rusty- Especially with the schedule that we have to play.  If you take away the last 5 minutes of our workout I feel really good about our guards, and I especially like the confidence that KJ and I have developed for one another. 

Though it was a long day, it was a beneficial one and gave me some things to think about as I go to bed tonight.  ----We have to play more pick up during the week, KJ and I are communicating better than we ever have (warning to opposing teams), and as always I will be looking for ways to improve our team.................

Posted by bryan at 12:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Its already Wednesday, again.  The days are flying by, but I have been making the most of them.  I had to wake up and take a test this morning and my legs were pretty heavy, which is typical for a Wednesday.  I tend to take a little lighter day on Wednesday,as I did today, to let my body recover so I can finish the week off strong.  I went through some injury prevention strength training and a light shooting workout this evening just to stay in touch with the ball.  A couple of my teammates were in the gym when I went -- I immediately felt more confindent about the mindset of our team.  Tells you a lot when a guy is in the gym when he is not required to be. 

One highlight for today was I got a call from one of my trainers down at IMG (Bradenton, Fl) and he told me that I was recently entered into the Draftexpress.com database, which is pretty exciting for anyone who is trying to take the necessary steps to get to the next level.  I also just booked my flight to go down there (Bradenton) on October 6th to polish my game before we actually get started with the season.  I finished my day by going to the store to stock up on food, gatorades, protein, and all that good stuff.  I have turned into a healthnut since training with Dan Barto (IMG) and Joe Abunnusar (AIB) due to the nutrition help I got while training at their facility. Im not getting knocked of my spot this year-- bet on that!!

Posted by bryan at 10:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well, I want to welcome everyone to BryanSmithson.com.  I will be posting blogs all season from my computer at home.  It is a good way for me to vent my thoughts and let my fans/critics get in my head a little bit.  We have been on a pretty routine schedule here in Asheville lifting in the mornings and having team/4man workouts in the afternoon.  Today we had both but I was able to get in an extra jumping/movement workout by myself between classes.  Overall it was a good day of training and I feel like I got better.  I heard from one of my old teammates from Middle Tennessee State University, Wes Durrant, and he told me he thought I was the best white point guard in the country until he found out Drew Nietzel (MSU) was back for his senior season.  Of course Wes was just bustin my chops, but it makes me give it a thought------but I LIKE MY CHANCES against anyone.  Maybe we will go at each other, eventually, in the tournament or in some pre-draft workouts. 

Away from basketball I had two classes and a test in one of them that was pretty tough but I'm sure I pulled a decent grade out.  I was able to find a little bit of humor today when several people asked me about a phone number a girl gave to me on Friday (on campus) I guess she told the entire school that I asked her for it (didn't really happen like that but....haha)---I don't know but she doesn't even go to school here so that shows you how things can spread in Asheville quickly.  Lesson learned today----don't trade phone numbers with someone on campus unless you already know them....lol........Cutting this one short b/c I have another test in the morning @ 9am...

Posted by bryan at 03:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)