OFFENSE UP, DEFENSE DOWN

Today's game was crazier than some sprayed roaches!  Offensive plays weren't run right, nor were we in our spots on defense.  Yeah, defense was definitely a problem as it has been all preseason.  Despite the many scrambles not ending in our favor, we somehow wheeled our way to a win.

We came out strong for a change and led by double digits at the end of the first quarter, but they went on a tremendous run in the second quarter and taking a small lead into halftime.

I ended the half with 13 and a couple of assists. Approaching the third with a little more focus allowed us to hang in the back in forth, eventually taking the lead and holding them off for the win.  The final score was 97-85.  I ended the game with 21 points and 7 assists.

MAMA SAID...

Today we played 'KR' the same team that beat us by 2 at home. It is clear now that they are the better "team". We ended the first quarter up by one and from there they took control. At halftime we trailed by 11. We came out in the third with a little more intensity sparking a run that lead to cutting their lead to 6. After spending so much energy to get back into the game, we gave out of gas and they pulled away for a 91-78 victory. I ended the game with 17 pts 4 assist and 3 rebounds. Not a great shooting night to say the least.

"ANYONE CAN WIN..."

On Friday we played the same team that we beat by 50 points earlier in the preseason. Given the beatdown that was handed to them in the last game and the fact that they had a new starting five, we expected a better game this time around.  They came out fired up, sticking with us for most of the first half.  At one point we were able to gain a 14 point lead, but ended the half only up by 5.  Their American player scored 27 points and I ended the half with 13 points.

Coach gave us the wake up call pep talk that we needed at half-time and we came out and took control of the game in the second half.  We accomplished this by speeeding up the pace and getting in to our running game instead of playing half court ball.  We ran them out of the gym with this strategy. The final score was 102-64.  Their American ended with 34 and I ended with 22.

A pretty easy win for us if I must say, but still room to get better. We realized an old rule of thumb in sports, which is that "anyone can win on any given night".  You have to come ready to play every game! 

FAME

So, in my first week here I realized there weren't many black people here much less one's with dreads. LOL! 

People would stare as they drove by, almost running into other cars.  Those walking on the streets would stare as they crossed over to the other side of the street and not speak.  Well, I guess as your status in the world goes along so does fame.

Today while walking to practice I noticed this same old man that I saw a few weeks back walking on the opposite side of the street. When he noticed me, he crossed over to MY side of the street and walked up to me. He said, "Hey! Keep doing what you are doing out there on that court!" And so it begins...FAME!

 

PUT ME IN COACH!

We came out really slow tonight and were in for a rude awakening. The team we were up against were armed and ready for war. Us on the other hand? Not so much. They took control of the game from the beginning and it remained that way the entire first half. Nothing was going our way. We ended the first half down 18 and I only had 5 points at halftime.

At this point I went up to coach and asked, "What am I doing wrong? What do you need from me?"  His response: "You're not playing with intensity.  Slacking on defense and dribbling to much on offense."  I told him I was following the game plan as instructed before the game, but would address his concerns once I got back in the game.

I didn't start the second half due to my performance, but once coach put me in with 7 minutes left in the third quarter I didn't come off until the end. I looked and felt like a completely different player, constantly in attack mode and freeing up my teammates like I do best. By the 5 minute mark of the fourth we had wiggled ourselves back into the game and were only down by 8. I hit a 3 pointer falling out of bounds in the left corner with one second on the shot clock to cut deeper into the lead. They answered back with a couple of buckets; however, we were finally able to make it a two possession game cutting the lead to 5.  From there we played the fouling game. The game came within 2, but with only 3 secs left we missed the shot to send the game into overtime or win it.

I ended the game with 26 points 7 assist, 9 rebounds., and 2 steals.  Coach told me after the game that he respected me coming to him at the halftime. 

SLUGGISH PLAY

 

Tonight was our first bad game. We started of sluggish and could never overcome to keep up with our opponents intensity. A combination of unforced turnovers along with terrible shooting allowed them to keep a slight lead in the third.  We were down by 8 at the end of the quarter.  The game came as close as two, but they continued to hit their shots extending their lead back to ten. I ended the game with 21 points in our first loss (81-88) of the preseason.

DENMARK - GAME 1

I came out on fire tonight. Hit my first three 3 point shots right out the gate.

The other team came hung in with us by scoring a few baskets of their own, which resulted in a back and forth battle for the entire first quarter.  I hit three more buckets to close out the quarter, one of which was a buzzar beater.  16 in the first quarter...like I said, I came out on fire!

In the second quarter I wanted to focus more on getting my teammates more involved.  I felt like I was Jason Kidd out there. We weren't able to capitalize on a few shots, which let our opponents back into the game, ending the half only up 58-50.

In the third, the other team went on a big run but we were able to withstand the impact and take a 10 point lead into the 4th quarter.  From that point we continued to play smart and hold onto the lead. In desparation attempts they hit some crucial 3's, but I was able to answer with a few of my own.  We won 110-101. I ended the game with 32 points, 5 assists, and 2 steals.

ROUND 2

Same team, similar results!  I'm on my MJ flow!

20 points, 6 assists, 6 rebounds and 3 steals.  We won 97-72.

Next...

GAME ON

I now have my first pro game under my belt!

The game started out really slow in the first quarter, but fortunately our opponents didn't take advantage. We ended the first quarter only down by 5 pts. In the second quarter we played more uptempo on offense, although we continued to struggle on defense.  Our opponents capitalized by taking an 11 point lead into halftime.   I had 11 points and 2 assists at the half, but knew we needed more to get us back into the game. 

I decided to lead by example in the second half and we started to look like a different team.

After a couple of back to back stops we were able to cut the lead to 5 by end of the third.  At five minutes left in the fourth quarter we finally took the lead before trading baskets up until a minute left in the game.  I took over and hit a stepback jumper for the final tie of the game. - Did I mention the guy almost fell on the step back! - GAME ON!

 With 20 secs left and down by one, I drove to the basket and got fouled as I made the lay up.  I missed the free throw but we got the rebound. I was fouled as I received the pass. I hit the second to put us up by two. They came right back at us with a quick inbounds pass down court, for a drive to the basket and to get fouled. They made both free-throws sending us into overtime.

We finally took control the game in overtime, winning 103-95. I ended the game with 27 and a hand full of assist. 

PRACTICE

Today wraps up my first week of practice as a professional athlete. I've got to say that I am very pleased with the way I have been playing. It looks as if I haven't lost a step. In fact I may have gained a few. The thought of me playing in an actual game bring tears to my eyes. I know that it is only preseason, but I have been waiting on this moment for what seems like forever and a day. I will probably cry before the game, but i think that is applicable to the situation. It has been a long time coming and the time is finally here.

CHASING MY DREAM

"In two days I leave to begin a journey I been working towards since the day before forever.  Getting over the hump that at times seemed to tall to conquer, but I refused to give up. Many told me I was wasting time, I should've got a job with my degree, and that I was choosing to struggle. Those were nothing but words of encouragement. Two years without a deal, working at lil Caesars and still finding time to focus on my game. I saw what the bottom felt like and now I'm ready to head in the other direction. For those who stuck behind me and always believed I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support. For those who doubted and thought the kid was out... Well lets just say the time is now."

I've chased this dream and will never give up. The struggle is nothing. I will persevere through it all. This is only the beginning!  Momma, I made it!