Don’t Sweat the Refs Part 1

I suppose it goes without saying that in order to become a good basketball player, it is vital to learn how to handle the referees. After all, they are an inevitable part of the game. Indeed, though no one in this world really seems to appreciate what they do, the game really couldn’t happen without them! Just imagine what the game of basketball would be like if the players made their own calls. The fights that break out on the playground or in the gym during pick-up basketball should be enough to give us a proper appreciation for the referees.  And just think, in those situations, we aren’t even playing with a clock or a crowd.

Sadly, however, we are not naturally inclined to appreciate and give thanks for the referees.  Consequently, the way we relate to them often hinders our own performance, the performance of our team, and the joy of the crowd.

So with that being said, I want to cover three things concerning a player’s relationship to basketball officials.  First, why you should resist consistent (or any) frustration with officials.  Second, how you should think about officials.  And third, how you should relate to officials.  We will take them in turn.  This week we will focus only on the first.

Why shouldn’t you (or I) ’sweat’ (or get frustrated with and in particular, argue with) the referees.  I offer three reasons.

1)  They are human beings.  

Though this seems ridiculously obvious, I think it is is necessary to point out before anything else.  For it seems to me that we as players (or coaches or fans) often seem to relate to athletic officials in a way that would be entirely unacceptable in any other area of life.  Somehow, we enter into the building, see them in their uniforms and forget that they are human beings just like us.  They have families and friends.  They watch movies.  They go out to eat.  They celebrate holidays.  They even enjoy sports (which is why many of them choose to officiate).  Indeed, if we actually knew them, we might even become one of their friends.  Imagine that!

Yet somehow a different spirit possesses us during an athletic contest.  A bad call comes and the person who made it all of the sudden becomes sub-human.  Indeed, in today’s athletic world, we somehow think we have a right to treat them as such.  But this is absurd and we all know it, for the truth is quite plain:  these officials are just like us.  They are human beings and as such, they deserve our respect, whether they made the right call or not.

2)  It doesn’t help anything or anyone.  

Now remember, I am writing this from a player’s perspective.  For I will be the first to admit that a Coach or a group of fans can persuade an official’s judgment. Sure, a referee is supposed to be impartial.  But to think that a referee can be perfectly impartial while numerous seemingly insane individuals are calling for his head is to forget that he or she is human.  I will be the first to admit that I would have a difficult time being impartial if a few thousand (or hundred) people were cursing me off and threatening my life.

Having said that, however, I would argue that even for the coach and the fan, ranting and raving against officials is beneficial for no one….even if you win.  After all, respecting an individual surely has to be higher on the priority chain that winning doesn’t it?  I would hope so, but then again, I’m not a hermit.  I am sure there are many who want to win so bad that they are willing to do whatever it takes.  I’ll save words for that problem for another day.

Anyhow, from a player’s perspective, it is really very simple:  when you become frustrated with an official (particularly to the point where you will actually argue with him), you help no one.  That’s right…no one.  Not yourself.  Not your team.  Not the fans.  Not the referee himself.  No one.

Think about it.  You become frustrated and argue.  Is the ref going to change his call?  Highly unlikely.  In light of your arguments, is he going to become more favorably disposed to seeing things from your vantage point and thus, giving you more calls?  I think not.  Even more, is he going to view with favor the players who wear your same jersey or your coach?  The answers are obvious.  Frustration and argument help no one.  In the end, they’re just not good, even if your end goal is only to win the game

3)  Because more times that not, they are right.

I once had a teammate who would argue absolutely every single foul call.  Seriously, every single foul call.  So one day I asked him jokingly, “Have you fouled anyone this year at all?”  We had a good laugh, but the point was clear.  Surely, at least one ref must have gotten at least one call right during 20 some odd games!

Even more though, I would argue that most of the refs got most of the calls right, for that is normally the case.  That might sound crazy coming from a player, but if you sit back and watch any game carefully (and without bias), you have to admit that officials make the right call more times than not.  Admittedly, they can be quite bad at times, but even then, they don’t make all the wrong calls.  Usually they are quite right.

We are wise to admit this fact up front.  For in the heat of battle, our emotions often get the best of us and therefore, do not allow us to see clearly.  Every call is against us…or so we think.  But might it be that we see the events before us in that fashion because we are blinded by our own desire to win?  Come on….you at least have to entertain the possibility! In the end, it seems wise for us to admit that referees are not as bad as might think.

Hope this helps.  Next week, we will look at point number 2.

Thankful for referees (even when the call doesn’t go my way),

Joe

Banvit vs. Mersin

Well, I had the privilege of playing my second game for Banvit yesterday.  Unfortunately though, we were unable to get the victory against Mersin.  The final score was 76-70.  The game was a close one throughout and very physical.  It is always difficult to get a victory on the road.

As I said, the game was physical, very physical.  And though I am not one to mention the officiating too often, yesterday was pretty amazing.  I always say that officiating is a very difficult job (and one that I would not want myself), but I suppose it isn’t wrong to point out when a poor job is done!  And yesterday was quite poor.  But that is how it goes at times.  I am sure that an opponent of ours has said the same thing at some point this season.  My ‘Tip of the Week’ actually concerns dealing with referees.  So I will save what I have to say for that space.

I felt pretty good throughout the game, though we legs are not yet where I want them and need them to be.  I was at least able to shoot the ball well.  Consequently, I ended up with 21.  I did have a few turnovers that I would definitely like back though!  Also, I was unable to finish the game because I had either a pull or cramp in my groin muscle.  Not fun at all.  I am hopeful that the Lord will bring speedy healing, so I will be at full strength to play next week.

As always, it was a joy to play the game.  Time away always leads to increased appreciation for a thing.  That has certainly proved to be the case in this situation for myself.  Basketball is just a great game and I am blessed to get paid to play it!

Thankful for the game (even when I lose),

Joe

First Game

Well, I was able to play my first game tonight here in Turkey. I was definitely a little rusty, but it was certainly a joy to get back onto the court! We played a good team tonight at home, but were able to pull out a close victory, 96-92.

One of my teammates actually hit a three-pointed with 1 second left to win it. We won by 4 points because the opposing team’s coach threw his water bottle after the shot and got a technical!

I ended up with 17 points. I was really rusty when I first got onto the court, but warmed up a bit through the 2nd and 3rd quarters. Then I came back in during the last 5 minutes or so (usually my favorite part of the game), and the rust set in again. A couple turnovers, etc. enabled the other team to make a comeback. But we still ended up with the win–and a more dramatic one at that!

I am really thankful for this club and my teammates. We have a good coaching staff and a good group of individuals that compose our club. I praise the Lord for bringing me to such a situation.

Also, here are a few websites where you can check out the box score of the game and other Turkish Basketball news.  Also, my team’s name is Banvispor.  At least that is what it is listed as on the websites.  Banvit is what we call it though.

www.turkbasket.com

www.tblstat.net

www.eurobasket.com/tur/tur

We are headed on the road tomorrow for an away game to be played on Saturday. I am looking forward to getting on the court once again.

Thankful for the game of basketball,

Joe

Your Basketball Rhythm

Now this may not be lesson #1, but it is an important lesson to learn in the game of basketball. For the game of basketball is a game of rhythm or tempo or flow. There is simply no way of getting around it. Some coaches may want the game to have a ’slow’ rhythm, while others may want one that is a bit on the faster side. And if the coach has no preference, the players will soon find their own. Either way, every team will have its own rhythm, it’s own tempo, it’s own flow so to speak. And the team that knows what rhythm fits them best and how they can control the tempo of the game to their liking, that team is bound to have success. Harmony will be found and the game itself will be more readily enjoyed.

Of course, the rhythm of the game isn’t only about team rhythm. It is also about individual rhythm. Both must be combined. Ideally, a coach wants to look carefully at his players and discern what type of basketball rhythm would fit each of them the best. However, this is a very difficult thing to do. Indeed, in the team context, no coach is capable of getting every single player in his best basketball rhythm. So it is in large part up to the individual player to figure out how he plays best and how he might work within his coach’s framework to maximize his own individual potential and his team’s success.

I offer you three things to think about while trying to figure out how you play best, that is, how to find out your best rhythm or tempo or flow.

First, play a lot of pick-up basketball.

I am sure this unique and incredibly insightful tip will come up time and again. And though I am being a bit facetious, I could not be more serious. For if you don’t play in situations where you have a great deal of freedom to play how you desire, it will be difficult to figure out how you play best. Yes, you may be able to figure out your best rhythm while playing in controlled situations. But in order to find your favorite basketball ‘flow,’ freedom is necessary. Therefore, you will serve your own cause best by playing a lot in situations where you can more or less play as you wish. Only then will your unique talents and abilities come to the forefront so that you may properly recognize them and emphasize them for further development.

Second, ask yourself: If I could play any way I wanted to, how would I play? Fast or slow or a little of both? With or without plays? Inside or out? Picture the ideal situation for you to play basketball. What would it be?

The reason these questions are helpful is because how you want to play is usually a good indication of how you would play your best. Of course, this also goes hand in hand with the first thing I mentioned. For you will begin to find out how you like to play by playing in situations where you can play as you wish. But it must not stop there. No. You must dream a bit. Let your mind run. Tap into your deepest basketball desires and you will begin to find fresh motivation to work hard and to figure out how you can be at your best. Naturally then, your desired basketball rhythm should become clear.

Third, after playing in any context, reflect upon your game. Think things through. Ask yourself some questions, even after playing pick-up. There are always lessons to learn, but those who do not take time to think and reflect, never really learn them. So think things through. Don’t just play. Play and think. For those who combine the two can became very dangerous (in a very good way!)

More could be said, but that is enough for now.

Learning and enjoying the game with you,

Joe

Bandirma, Turkey

I received the phone call last week and signed a deal on Friday with Banvit Basketball (a Turkish Basketball club).  It is now Wednesday and I am sitting in a hotel in Bandirma, Turkey.  Things can certainly happen fast in the basketball business, particularly when it is the middle of the season.

Lord willing, I will be here until the end of May or early June.  The team’s next game is on Saturday.  I hope to find out some more information about the club and upcoming games sometime soon.  If I do so, I will be sure to post it up here.

Checking out for now,

Joe

p.s. much thanks for all my friends from Zaragoza for their kind words of encouragement.  We really did enjoy our time there!

Tip of the Week

This category will naturally feature a ‘Tip of the Week.’  The ‘tip’ could be any number of things really.  It could be a certain shooting or ball-handling drill.  Or it could be a reflection on how to better relate to your teammates.  Or it could focus on the mental aspect of the game.  Anything really.

Our goal is to post once per week.  Our hope is to encourage current players as they seek to improve at the game of basketball.  Also, I am inclined to think that these posts will serve as good insights for coaches or naturally want (and need) to better understand the minds of those they are leading.  As usual, you can sign up to receive updates via email or an RSS feed by clicking the link to the left.

Imparting the game,

Joe and Jon

Joe’s Updates

This category will be the place to find out not only where Joe is, but how he is playing. While overseas, updates will usually be posted each week. For now, Joe is still in his home area, waiting to see where he will head next.

Also worth noting is that you can sign up to receive these updates through either an RSS feed or email. If you wish to do so, just click on the icon and description on the left side of the page.