1 semester to go
Finally !!! the semester is over for me. I can't express how excited I am about this because it has been my hardest one yet. I guess being a senior I should have expected that, but for some reason I thought the closer I got to the end the easier it would be. O well. However, I am worried about one of my classes that I struggled with throughout the semester (management course) because my test grades are pretty low. I studied like crazy for the final and still came out feeling horrible about it. If I am not able to pass the class it will be the first class since I have been in college that I haven't passed. Everyone keeps telling me its okay because you can take it next semester and still graduate on time. I feel differently about it. I have never been one who really dedicates himself to school and I have always found better things to do (like basketball), but it is really bothering me that I somewhat tried during the semester and really tried the last 2 tests and I still might be in danger. This has taught me a lot about myself in the sense that I may act like school is no big deal but deep down I really take pride in the fact that I have a college education and will be recieving my degree in May. Maybe being in school 5 years has something to do with it too !!
As for practice, it hasn't been too tough physically because we had a lot of bumps and bruises to heal up in the gap between games. My hand is still swollen and I it hurts when I do certain things but not to the point where it would effect me in the heat of a game. I actually dunked again today for the first time since my injury and it felt weird, but good. With these days off I have been able to reflect on my game up to this point and take a look at what some other guards are doing in the country. Some look good and some not so good. And Of course, I compare myself to them (I wouldn't be a competitor if I didn't). I have really noticed at how a particular system can make a player look really good or it can make a player look really bad. Obviously, I don't want to mention the teams that make their players look not so good because they still have a whole season to play , but a couple guys that I worked out with this summer who were very very good at many different things are in this current situation. It is dissappointing that it works out this way but I hope that scouts take it into consideration. I think that the Tennessee program makes Chris Lofton look pretty good---most of the time--- (from a professional standpoint). He is a great shooter w/ unlimited range but takes some really bad shots. How effective will he be in the NBA as a role player bc of his limited skills and athleticism?? Some may think he will be ok but Im not so sure and those are the kind of things I try and look at bc-- ppg in a system like that can be very misleading. As for my situation, obviously I am in a good situation at a mid major school with another talented guard by my side and a MONSTER big man in Kenny George. I have to pull my weight but at the same time I don't have to carry the scoring load on my own all the time. But many times, I will be called on to put the ball in the basket, and I am very comfortable doing that. And watching Jose Juan Barea get into the Mavericks vs. Denver game last night reiterated my thoughts on where my well rounded game could get me even though some people don't like the fact that I am at a mid-major school. I remember watching JJB in college and he got things done every game, but in the NBA he has had to take on a different role that he is still adjusting to. He has gotten where he is today by doing what he is told and I think this is something we have in common. Tell me what to do ----I can and WILL do it ........
