Fuel
The title of this is entry is very appropriate and by the time you finish it, you will understand more. From an outside perspective it may not seem like much has changed since I lasted posted, but for me, plenty has changed. Vegas ended up being great as far as gaining experience and being around the best pros in the world. I ended up working out with several and/or being around several workouts with guys like KG, Chauncey Billups, Quincy Douby, Ty Lue, Antoine Wright, Alan Anderson, Oj Mayo, and some guys I already knew from playing w/against at some point or another. So obviously, it was a great atmosphere. However, since I have continuosly been battling tendonosis in my quad tendon I ended up spending a lot of time doing physical therapy in addition to working out. It's a very tricky thing because it may feel better one day and then strictly prohibit me from activity the next. It has gotten to the point where I do not feel comfortable taking a job because I want to be able to give no less than 100% and play the way I love to play. Since I have back in GA I have told my agent to hold off just for a little bit while i grind this out and get back to being 100. I have had to turn down a couple jobs and turn down interest because of the situation. Everyone can imagine how tough this can be, but it is the nature of the business so I'll leave it at that. The good thing is I got the new tendon procedure done-PRP (platelet rich plasma). This is a cutting edge procedure where the doctor draws blood from me and enhances the platelet content and injects it back into the infected tendon. Sounds crazy right. Here is a link if anyone is interested in hearing more about it http://www.steadman-hawkins.com/plateletRichPlasma.asp. I am taking the therapy very slow in order to get maximum effects.
Besides all of that, everybody knows that I cannot just sit around. I have put my focus into the weight room for now and am challenging myself in many ways with that. As I am getting older I am realizing how to translate the weight room onto the court more effectively. When your younger you are always told to lift bench press, squats, cleans, and arms. Obviously, this is terrible if your a basketball player. For me, core work is essential to playing with the big boys. Without a doubt you have to strengthen the rest of your body but it all depends on who you are and where your body needs improvement. With this quad tendon issue I have learned that my hips and hamstrings just aren't where they need to be from a strenghthening standpoint, so that has been a focal point for me. In addition to all that, I am trying to put on about 5-10lbs of lean muscle.
Now I will get to the title of this entry. I do not want to direct this to basketball specifically, but rather life in general. FUEL. Life is crazy. When things go bad, people dissappear and are nowhere to be found "when it rains it pours" (eg. "your hurt" "your broke" "your not doing anything for me" "your no fun" etc.) With that said, some of you are thinking -"Welcome to the world we live in!" Let me reassure you, this is not my first introduction and I am not complaining. See because without tough times, I would never have made it as far as I have, but rest assured I am nowhere near where I want to be. The key is to keep pushing. As of late, I was feeling down about not being 100% healthy and some other small things, and looking up was getting tough. Right when I looked for a hand to pull me up -- not from any particular direction I recieved several kicks simultaneously from people and the world. I know. I know. I should have known. This only drives me harder in every aspect of life. Several younger kids that I mentor often ask me what I do when i don't feel like working out. This question is always a tough one because for me, its times like these that get me out of bed and into the weightroom, gym, swimming pool, track, etc. It's FUEL. I store it deep inside and anytime I need it its there to help me. There are many times in my life where I am self driven and I don't need any push because i push myself, but there are also several times where I don't have the motivation and I have to pull this stuff out from inside to get me through and push me where I need to be as a person and/or as an athlete. Don't get me wrong, it is not always pretty, and I would be lying if I said I didn't feel bitter toward certain people or situations that feed me this fuel. Things even spin out of control from time to time but this is when it is important to take some time to embrace the moment because one day you will look back on it and need it to get you through work, practice, a relationship, or to say it plainly -- more "tough times". Whether it be life or sports its a battle everyday and I cannot wait until its time to step back out on the court bc I am more hungry than I have been in a long time. A special thanks to all those who have contributed to my fuel, if you haven't said it already -- one day you can say you are a part of my success !!!! And of course I cannot leave out my thanks to all of you who have been there for me through thick and thin (you know who you are) And to my true fans thanks. I will be updating my progress regularly so check back and find out where I will be signing next!!
***If you have not signed my guestbook please do so and let me know your keeping up!! Comments are invited on this entry!!!
