Soccer and Hoops

My wife sent me this article from the NY Times today. It’s entitled “Soccer as N.B.A. Building Block” and summarizes the influence of Soccer on many players within the NBA. It’s an intriguing article and one, in my experience, that has plenty of support.

One parallel between the two games that the author didn’t mention–and one that I believe is one of the most important–is the rhythm or flow that is found within the game of Soccer. For I believe that the game of basketball is best played when it is played more like Soccer and less like American Football. For if you take a casual look at the two games, you can see that Soccer is a game that requires the players to read the defense and take chances and communicate with one another and learn how to play together. That’s true in American Football as well, but in a much different sense. For American Football is much more detailed and/or structured. Rhythm is necessary, of course, but it is a different kind of rhythm. After all, you run a play (that you have mapped out) and then return to the huddle to prepare for the next one.

From my vantage point, Basketball encompasses the best of both worlds. For there needs to be a good deal of freedom while playing the game. But at the same time, more structure is needed than in the game of Soccer. At times, you need to play with greater freedom, make reads, etc. and at other times, you need to stick to the game plan and make your reads in a more limited context (like American Football).

That being said, I believe the most dangerous teams (and the teams most fun to watch and play for) are the teams that know how to play the game of basketball with that Soccer element….with that element of freedom that makes the game so fun and your team so dangerous because you don’t know what they might do next. It’s the element that helps you work together, communicate with one another; the element that enables everyone on the squad to be on the same page and to function as one.

Structure will still be found (as it is in Soccer), but not in a restrictive sense, but in a sense that brings true freedom and, in my opinion, a greater chance for victory.

Season Over

It ended up being a high scoring contest today, but sadly, we didn’t end up on top at the end.

Final score: Banvit 96 Besiktas 102

We had our chances, but just couldn’t connect on the shots we needed to take control of the game. Meanwhile, Besiktas hit some big ones in the fourth quarter that enabled them to take control. But such is the game of basketball. A shot here. A turnover there. You win. Or you lose.

Consequently, the season is over here in Turkey (for us). We lost the series 3-1 even though we really only lost it 2-1. We played tough, but just not good enough to stretch it out to game 5. That really would have been fun! But it was not meant to be. So it’s all good.

I ended up 23 points and 5 assists. I scored 17 in the first half and only 6 in the second. They were all over me defensively, so I think I only took about 3 shots in the second half, 1 of which came during the final seconds. Considering that statistic, they must have been playing some really good D! For it is rare that I only take 3 shots in a half!

It has been a good almost 5 months here in Bandirma. I had my ups and downs (particularly at the beginning), but am thankful to finish well. The difficult thing is that I was just feeling like myself and now the season is over! But that is a major reason why I will be looking forward to signing with a team for the beginning of next season, Lord willing. I am thankful for the group of guys I had an opportunity to work with and for our coaches and the entire organization itself. It really has been a good experience for us here in Bandirma.

So now it is officially the off-season. Time to sign up with a team for next year, wherever that may be. And time to rest and regenerate my body so that I can improve my game for the coming year. It will be interesting to see what comes next. Always is.

Thankful for the game,
Joe

Playing Like its Your Last

I have a memo on my phone that I sometimes review before games. One of the realities on that memo is that if the Lord wills, today could be the last time I play the game.

Now it’s true that with today’s technology, I could come back from most injuries, but it is also true that there are injuries out there that one cannot return from. Or at least, cannot return from full strength. Then there is a thing called death. Though as a Christian, I believe in a coming day in which all things will be made new (including hoops), you get the picture. I don’t know when my final day of life is coming. Neither do I know when the final day of my career is coming. Who knows? It could be today.

Reminding ourselves of our own mortality as human beings helps us to more fully appreciate and invest into today. So also, reminding myself of my own basketball mortality helps me appreciate the opportunity to play the game…today. It gets me outside my own little world for a moment and enables me to give thanks for the opportunity to live and play (no matter how tired I may be). It humbles me, as it forces me to recognize that I possess today an opportunity that will not always be there. Sooner or later, my career will come to an end.

The day to day grind of basketball can, and oftentimes does, lead a player to get bored with not only practice, but the games. But to remind yourself that you won’t always have the opportunity to compete at the level you are now is to help yourself get ready to make a focused investment into the game (or practice). It gives you perspective and enables you to better appreciate the opportunity you have and, in turn, to take better advantage of it.

When you think like this, you can’t help but ask yourself: If I knew this would be my last day to play, how would I compete? An answer that comes to my mind time and again is this: wholehearted.

Sure, there are other things, but in the end, if I can walk away from today’s game (and I do have a big one today) knowing that I gave it everything I had, I can walk away quite satisfied–whether I played my finest game or not. I can know that I took advantage of the gracious opportunity that was presented me. I can know that I controlled what I can control, namely, my own investment into the game. When the buzzer sounds and I am in the quiet of my own living room, I can know the satisfaction that is found when you give the game your wholehearted best.

So I commend the practice to you. Think often of your basketball mortality and, in turn, give each day your best.

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