Getting Drafted ... or Not

I've talked about my first team http://oldredtiger.blogspot.com.au/2013/06/a-word-about-surgery-and-tin-sheds.html

and where I fell in love with the game http://oldredtiger.blogspot.com.au/2013/06/humble-beginnings.html

But watching the NBA Draft today (and seeing some kids get picked and others not) made me think about my difficult introduction into organised basketball. Everyone's heard of the 'Michael Jordan got cut' story which is definitely more story than truth - truth is he just didn't make the Varsity team but he did make the JV team something that was pretty common for a High School sophomore. 

Competing against guys 2 years older at about the time young lads mature is a difficult prospect and a 5'10 Jordan just missed out cause he was a little small compared with other High School Seniors (read about it all here http://www.nbadraft.net/forum/real-story-michael-jordan-getting-cut-his-laney-high-varsity-team ) 

Regardless he used this setback to fuel himself to become the greatest player of all time

Truth be told I didn't even make my High School Open team until I was in year 12 - that's a longer story for another day but given the depth of talent and the fact we came 3rd in the Nation in 1990 and won the National title in 1991 it wasn't a complete surprise.

What may surprise though is my history of district basketball draft day failure.

My first district tryouts were with the Tigers in U14 as a 2nd year. I wasn't in the 40 best kids in the area and did not get my name called out. I was gutted as that was my local club and the one I wanted to play for. I got cut again as an U16 1st year and it wasn't until U16 as a 2nd year that I finally got picked in a side at a major club.

Back to the start though ... unable to make even the Tigers U14 Div5 team I went to a new club the Southern Districts Dragons .. to be honest they were a bit of a laughing stock, had crappy uniforms and didn't have a home stadium (we trained at Reynella East High)

I can still hear the "You don't have a stadium" taunts!!!!

What the Dragons did have though was a side in U14 Div2 which was to be a huge stroke of luck as I quickly got to play against much better competition. In the summer season we got pummelled most weeks but it was a great learning experience. 

Over the summer break there was Basketball Talent ID camps held at the old Forestville stadium - at Southern we were allowed to send 2 kids ... I was lucky enough to be chosen. Again this was huge ... all the major clubs had their 4 or 5 best players from Div1 and I got to spend a week having a crack. We were coached by topflight players like Al Green, Lisa Vlahov & Mark Bradkte and although I was well out of my depth I got a taste for it.

Sometimes you don't get picked right away, other times not at all, but I think you learn more from the knockbacks and the struggle against stronger opponents. Persistence and hard work can overcome just about any obstacle and I hope those are 2 traits that sum up my basketball journey ...

Links

Anyone who knows me knows I like to research - as they say information is power. So I'll share a couple that I've been watching this week regarding my injury

First the surgery - not for the squeamish http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bu9z9UJHDw

Second ... this guy is a bodybuilder / strength coach who has rehabbed from the same injury - he has a bunch of videos which can be found here http://www.youtube.com/user/kylenewell1000/videos

I sure am glad that I live in the internet age - I'd say even 50 years ago this injury would have left me in a wheelchair and I certainly wouldn't have been able to watch videos of surgery and rehab.

Speaking of videos I really enjoyed Grantland's NBA Job Interviews http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/tag/_/name/nba-job-interview I have a Draft/My Early District Years post coming up soon but in the meantime get acquainted with the NBA's future stars

Quick Rehab Update - 3 weeks

Had 2nd PT session today

Roller under knee locked at 40* - more painful than it looks

Managed to get from 45* last week to 55* this week which was a little bit short of what I'd hoped but was somewhat expected

Yesterday I was unable to do any rehab due to a couple of issues. Firstly the bottom of the 10cm incision is red, angry and painful. 

I wasn't 100% sure if it was the tendon or the skin so I backed off for the day - looks like it is the skin so hopefully settles down over next few days and I can get back into it.

Quads - use them or lose them in 3 weeks!!

Last night foot went completely numb, then hot and prickly then painful. I had a terrible nights sleep (which is relative as I haven't had a good nights sleep for 3 weeks)

On a positive note I can start some additional exercises - some hip flexor leg lifts whilst on side & some hamstring/glute leg lifts while on stomach. No quads allowed!!!

Even adding a couple of mundane stretches to my current routine and gaining 10 degrees is enough to brighten what has been a pretty dark week. Onward and upward

35* until I can sit with my knee bent - oh what a luxury ....

Pounding the Rock

Jacob Riis : When nothing seems to help, 
I go look at a stonecutter hammering away at his rock 
perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. 
Yet at the hundred and first blow
 it will split in two, 
and I know it was not that blow that did it, 
but all that had gone before. 
http://www.48minutesofhell.com/coach-pop-pounding-the-rock-jacob-riis-spurs


Another Saturday stuck at home, I awoke this morning physically stiff and sore but more than that I was mentally in a world of pain ...

Save a seat for me - 2014 Playoffs I'll be there I know u will too

In the background its been about my teams rollercoaster over the last month really culminating in a crazy final week where we just didn't take our chances. It will be one that I and many others will never forget - Basketball played at its highest level on the highest stage - and even in a season in which we did not win it may have been my favourite Playoff run of all time. I definitely will not forget it ...

Winning isnt always measured in titles

Rather than go on about the Spurs anymore I'd ask you to click the following link and have a read of this great article and read the quote (and unofficial Spurs mantra) above http://www.48minutesofhell.com/spurs-heat-nba-finals-lebron-james

Thanks for constantly inspiring me, you are truly a team and an organisation that commands my utmost respect.


But this mornings battles were an individual one brought about by another Saturday and the difficulties and monotony of my current stonecutting expedition...

3 weeks in and its a struggle ... the day to day physical improvement is so incremental ... but the grind of rehab and the absolute dependence on others is a massive challenge.

 3-4 times a day

• Undo Leg Brace
• Heat Pack / Massage leg for 10 mins
• Redo Leg Brace
• Push my knee to the limit (currently 45*) by grabbing my upper leg and pulling it towards me without using my quads. 10 x 5 secs hold at point of pain
• Keep leg bent at 45* with cushion underneath for 30 mins
• Ice Knee 20 mins
• Get up and walk around

I'm hoping for 15* a week or a couple of degrees a day. So far a week in I'm stuck at 45* so like the proverbial stonecutter I will keep pounding the rock ... hopefully the results will take care of themselves

Missed Opportunities

For reasons most of you will understand - there will be no blog today just a few tears .... NoSpursNo

Lot of love for Manu & Spurs just a few too many mistakes ....

Sliding Doors

What ifs??? they play a huge part in everyday life but a lot of the time they just slide on past and we don't notice ... today was not one of those days

From 10 to 45 in 2 days

I had my first Physio appointment during the 4th quarter of Game 6 ... it went exceptionally well I got my knee to 45* ... so I think I am maybe 15* ahead of schedule ... my Phys gave up his lunch break (Thanks Chris really appreciated) to take the appointment so I didn't have to wait until Monday ... What if I waited?

My appointment finished with us up 4 with 45 secs left - the game was on in the waiting room. The timing was unbelievable & score surprising as we were down 3 when I'd last checked. Manu made 1 of 2 free throws .. What if he makes 2? 

Jesus Shuttleworth knows the answer 

Pop sat Duncan on the 2 biggest defensive plays of the game both O boards to Miami for 3s... I didn't like it at the time and in hindsight I'm asking ... What if Duncan was on the floor?

I missed nearly all of OT on the drive back home ... I felt like today there was some cosmic force at play ... I'm pretty sure there isn't but ... What if there is?

Before the series started I picked us to win in 7 including losing game 6 and winning game 7 on the road ... What if I'm right? (well I'll win a few hundred bucks that's for sure)

18 days ago I was feeling great and decided to throw one down in warm ups ... What if I didn't? This one will stay with me for a while ...

I don't have the answers to any of these What Ifs? but I do know I'll be giving rehab my all, I never die wondering

BIGger than TEXas

Nothing bigger in Texas than the Spurs

Today was always going to be massive day for me ... first follow up with the OS ... I had this pencilled in the calendar and had been staring it down for 2 weeks.

But a few other BIG things happened along the way ...

Had to tackle stairs which had been a BIG fear all week ... strategy is to shimmy down on my ass with my good leg hooked under my bad leg for support. It worked & wasn't as hard as I thought

Tex is BIG and a top bloke

Left the house for the first time in 2 weeks, the sun was shining, people were out in the city going about their mornings, I had a BIG smile on my face and almost a tear, rediscovering the simplest things is a huge joy

Got the Hospital and shared a lift with a BIG unit who was also on crutches. His name is Taylor TEX Walker ... Crows champion forward who is recovering from an ACL tear. We exchanged pleasantries and injury stories. Most footy players generally don't look that BIG compared to on TV but TEX is the exception he is a large unit. His team needs him back too ...

I got fitted for a new knee brace which is more comfortable and allows a range of motion in the knee up to 90 degrees. My current ROM (range of motion) is more like 10 degrees and my mission is to get to 90 ROM within 4 weeks. This is BIG news as it means rehab can begin in earnest

Manu hit tough shot after tough shot

I am Manu hear me ROAR!!!!

and finally deep in the heart of TEXAS its game 5 in the NBA finals. Its the last game in TEXAS and if the Spurs are to have any hope of winning the title today is a must win game. I've watched the first half were up 9 and are playing superbly. 

Manu is finally playing well, Timmy and Tiago are dunking and Danny Green still cant miss ... cmon you Spurs everything else has been great today ... a win in game 5 would be BIGGER than BIG!!!!

Update: Manu has massive BIG testicles - never ever underestimate the heart of a champion!!! GoSpursGo