Blog with Bryan Smithson

I just finished up my last practice of the week and it went pretty well.  We had a good overall week with a scrimmage (blue vs. white) yesterday with refs.  We played six- 6minute segments with different rotations and coach changed up the offensive and defensive sets.  I played well and my team won every segment with the exception of 1.  I shot a high percentage from the field and had several assists, a few rebounds, steals, 1 turnover, and I went 4-4 from the charity stripe.  (I haven't been able to see the stat sheet yet).  Before practice today, I went to the gym early to watch the film of the scrimmage and to critique my game and find areas that I could improve in.  One constant that I saw was when I was playing defense off the ball sometimes I wouldn't be as low as I should in order to react quicker-- so I tried to focus on that in practice today.  Our first game is Friday vs. Furman and I want to give my team the best chance possible to win the game so I need to do a lot of little things like that (staying low) that do not make it to the stat sheet. 

So I went out to eat with my brother last night and while waiting for a table I saw a big UNCA basketball fan, that attends every home game, at the resteraunt. After talking to him for a couple minutes he proceeded to tell me something that really made me happy.  He said how impressed he was with the way I have carried myself off the court as of late and that he can tell I have made it a priority to act in such a way.  I thanked him and it was really good to hear, but I cannot take all the credit for this.  I have to give some to Coach Dave Thorpe---executive director of professional basketball training @ IMG and basketball analyst for ESPN.com.  .  The first time I worked out with Dave it was not unusual for him to be yelling "be a pro" during the workouts.  I thought this was just his way of motivating, but when I got the chance to sit down with Dave to have a conversation he really stressed to me how important it is to carry myself like a "pro" on and off the floor.  He harped on this and told me how I will be giving many first impressions in the next year and that it is important to make the most of it on the court and from an image standpoint.  Not only that, but he said its just the right thing to do!!  It was a long weekend when I was down there last and the days are hectic so I had some facial hair growing in and Dave suggested that I should keep a clean shave at all times because that is being  professional.  Though it seems nit-picky, when I really thought about it ---- He couldn't be more right.  He covered from dress, attitude, being approachable, hygein, speech, etc. and I took his words and ran with them.  Dave's basketball knowledge is limitless just like many other high profile trainers, but this is how he seperates himself from the pack because he goes beyond on-the-court training- which speaks for itself.  This is why guys like Kevin Martin, who is a class act (Sacramento Kings), pay him big bucks to be a trainer for them year round.  So, I say this because Coach Thorpe is the reason I just recieved a great compliment from a dedicated fan and it proves that his approach isn't crazy but it is very effective. He has been great for my growth and understanding of the "big picture." Oh and I am clean shaved now---(well not all the time- but don't tell coach Thorpe)

-- There are some new videos up on the page now !