Hoop Season's Here!

Time to play some basketball?

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  The basketball season is rapidly approaching. Matter-of-fact, the NBA season will officially tip-off next week, collegiate play is set to resume shortly after, with high school hoopers not-too-far behind.

  In many corners of the world, however, the basketball season has already begun. And for the first time since I was in grade school, my sneakers remain in my closet (or my car's trunk, to be more accurate). And will remain there for the foreseeable future.

  Surprisingly enough, I'm completely okay with that. It might just be, that my lifelong (until this point) obsession with playing basketball has finally run its course.

Autumn in Oregon.

  Last year at this time, and all the seasons prior, I was already several weeks into my team's season. I had participated in training camp, spent hours in the gym working on my game, trained all summer to be in the best shape I could be, and was looking forward to heading into practice each and every day.

  Nowadays, even though I still enjoy getting a good workout in, it's a vastly different scene.

An American Halloween.

  I haven't touched a ball with any intent on playing since I left France last spring. And to be honest, I have no desire to pick up a ball and play. I've been asked if I want to play in adult leagues, or go play pickup at local gyms. But as of right now, I don't.

  I guess when you're done, you're done. At least that's what it feels like.

  I'd had enough playing. I could feel that my body and my mind had had enough when my season concluded last spring. I knew my career as a basketball player had run its course, and I was ready for the next phase of my life.

  I'm perfectly happy to be enjoying the beautiful Northwest autumn. It's been years since I've had the chance to see the maple trees change, and the leaves drop; the crisp, clear air, and the bright blue sky of autumn. I had forgotten how pretty it can be.

  Halloween's approaching, with Thanksgiving not too far behind: two days that aren't quite the same when you spend them outside the States.

  For the first time since graduating college, I'm getting to enjoy, and reap a few benefits of being a Colorado Alum. Something I hope to take more advantage of as the year continues.

  Even with all the things I am enjoying, it will be strange not to be part of a team this season. I'm sure there will be a time when I miss getting out on the court and playing and competing. And eventually I'll want to get on the court and play a little pickup, but that time isn't now.

  I'm thoroughly enjoying my basketball retirement. And while it's been an adjustment, and continues to be, life in the 'real world' isn't all too bad.

More fall sights from the Northwest.

Post-Career Career Advice

Summer '09 -- Huntington Beach

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  Word to athletes -- professional, collegiate, or otherwise: intern!

  We all know, we can't play forever, so there's no time like the present to start preparing for the 'after-life'.

  Whenever your off-season may be, for me it was the summer time, make it a point to do what I didn't do -- get some work experience!

  Interning provides a great opportunity to learn a few tricks to the trade, make some quality connections, and bolster your resume. And if you can't find an internship that works with your off-season calendar, volunteer!

  During my time as a college athlete at Colorado, and my 10-year career in Europe, I never interned. And right now, I'm asking myself why. Instead of already having an understanding of how the job market works, and true work experience under my belt, I'm playing catch up. And trying to learn everything all at once.

  Sure I volunteered, worked at various camps, and then eventually ran my own clinics. But I'm learning that employers want proof you can handle yourself in an office setting, problem solve, and maybe most-importantly, hit the ground running when hired.

Time = Opportunity
  We do love our off-seasons: free time, family, friends. I loved mine. It allowed me to reset the batteries, see the people I had missed all season while I was gone, and train for the upcoming season.

  But how about doing something to invest in the not-too-distant future?

Ice Hotel -- Sweden. Winter '09.

  We have nothing but time during the off-season. Yes, workouts take up a lot of time and energy. If you're a pro, think back to those college days where we somehow mustered up the energy to go to school full time and hold it down in our athletic arena.

   See, we already know how to manage our time and energy! It will be time very well spent.

  Interning, or volunteering, will give you the one thing that employers seem to want: people with work experience. No matter how we chalk it up, being a successful athlete isn't the only thing they're looking for. So we've got to give them what they want.

  Here are your choices: put in some work during the off-season, or try to make up for lost time when the ball stops bouncing.

  Take it from me; take a summer (or two, or three) before your playing career comes to a close, and intern!

  If you've been thinking about it, do it! You'll thank me later.

"There are different paths to EVERY destination" -- Job Hunt Thoughts

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  I officially announced my 'retirement' just over a month ago. So I guess you can say I've been on the job hunt ever since. Though, the word hunt sounds intensive and stressful, it really hasn't been that.

  Roughly one month in, and already faced with a few learning experiences, I thought now was as good a time as any to share some thoughts.

  I had a summer plan, or so I thought. To take things slowly, not rush into anything, put some feelers out there (wherever there is), and figure out what I really wanted to do.

  But like many plans, mine quickly was thrown by the wayside. Mostly because opportunities arose. And also because I started getting a little antsy (so much for taking things slowly, huh?). I suppose I am more anxious to get on with the next part of my life than I initially thought I would be.

Swimming with Sofie over 4th of July weekend.

  As I've gotten myself into the networking, connecting, job hunt world I've encountered a few difficulties. Not huge mountains to climb, but there have been a few common denominators that have arisen.

  Don't get me wrong, the positives have immensely outweighed the negative. Family members, friends, mentors, etc have been gracious enough to give me their time and their ear. I value and rely upon their experiences to guide me in this journey a great deal.

  1) The first stumbling block I've come across is my 'lack of experience'. I find the different reactions, and vibes, I get regarding my ten years abroad as a professional basketball player interesting. It is seen as a negative entirely too much -- in my opinion, of course.

  How can it be a negative? Sure, I lack the work place experience that many people my age already have already garnered. I will be the first to acknowledge that. So let's acknowledge it, and move on to how how that experience is a positive.

  Here's why I'd prefer to focus on the positive side: What was I supposed to do, turn down the opportunity to play professional basketball? I don't think so. I worked my tail off, and sacrificed a lot growing up so I could get to the point of being able to play professionally. Pursuing, and enjoying, that career was only natural.

Taking advantage of auntie time!

  I would like to think, through my 10 years overseas, I bring a great deal more to the table than a kid fresh out of college. (Here's where I'd insert all the positive things about my career oversea -- my international perspective, my ability to adapt quickly and succeed, and so on -- but tooting my own horn isn't what I'm here for.)

  What I need is for a potential employer to understand my time and experiences in Europe outweigh any negatives.

  I find myself echoing the sentiments of the people I have just talked to. If they are positive, I come away with a positive outlook. If they dwell on my lack of experience, I find myself thinking I'm in for a long, uphill battle.

  Maybe that is me, my responsibility. I need to hold myself accountable, and force the conversations to remain focused on what I will bring to the position. And not allow a question mark to enter into the equation.

“If you celebrate your differentness, the world will, too. It believes exactly what you tell it—through the words you use to describe yourself, the actions you take to care for yourself, and the choices you make to express yourself. Tell the world you are one-of-a-kind creation who came here to experience wonder and spread joy. Expect to be accommodated."

-- Victoria Moran                                  

Beautiful sights of Boulder.

  2) The second stumbling block I have encountered is that I'm not nearly narrow-minded enough. Call it not having a clear vision. But it seems that I don't know exactly what I want to do. I believe I'm getting closer, and that vision is becoming clearer. But still, there are details to work out!

  I understand that a wishy-washy, unfocused person is nearly impossible to deal with. And that is not what I want to convey. I have been working diligently to familiarize myself with some potential job areas. It's not easy navigating through the different languages that each job description comes with. But again, this is where I rely on friends and family to help clarify.

On the lake for fireworks -- July 4th.

  I knew this transition, and in turn, this job hunt, wouldn't be a cakewalk. Every situation I have encountered thus far has been a new experience for me. I'm taking baby steps and learning a great deal as I go along. It's only been a month, but I'm positive I'm headed in the right direction!

  Shout out to my friends and family who have been willing to offer up advice and guidance! You don't know how much I appreciate your time and input!

  Here's to a resilient, patience-filled journey!
                        

What's Your Brand?

Athlete, health-conscious, traveler.

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  I came across an article last week I thought had an interesting concept:   

            What are you known for?

  As in, what do your social media 'jottings' say about you?

  In this, the era of social media, we are essentially able to create our own 'legacy'. It's true. If we participate in social media, we are building our own brand, solidifying our reputation, and selling ourselves.

  It also feeds into one of the biggest criticisms of our era.

The 'Me' Generation
  Probably the biggest criticism of social media in general, is that it feeds the 'me generation'. It's all about what I'm doing, where I'm going, what I'm buying, what I'm eating, and so on.

The things you see on the road.

  That might be the extreme way to look it it. But I agree, social media can lead to ego. It's the world we are living in, however, and just like everything else, it's important we find a balance.

  I think social media has an incredible amount of positive that comes with it as well. 

  Whatever your feelings toward social media are, one thing is for sure: it's here to stay. So we might as well get used to it, and learn how to best benefit from it.

Your Reputation on the Line
  That being said, what do your postings elicit from followers, readers, friends? Are they positive or negative feelings? What do your Twitter account, your Facebook profile, your blog posts, your Instagram pictures say about you?

  That's your reputation. Whether you mean to or not, those are the traits you are exuding.

  Putting it that way makes it interesting thing to think about. And more significant. Each and every thing we post stands alone; it's an individual piece of information. But over time, a brand is developed and those postings become your reputation.

  Are you representing yourself the way you want?

You can find your niche anywhere.

  It's one thing for people who know you. But many times with social media and the internet, people don't know you 'in real life'. They just know you based on what you post.

  Maybe you say, 'who cares?' or 'we shouldn't care about what others think about us.'

  I think that is true to a certain extent -- we need to be ourselves. But when it comes to social media, and potentially, our careers, I think that's a naive perspective to have.

  It's not to say you should hold back. Be your true self. Be proud of the person you are, and the things you are saying and doing.

  If it's important to you, it's something to think about.

  For me, as someone who is entering the job market, it makes me more aware. Before, as a (somewhat) public figure as a basketball player, I was always conscious of the things I posted on my social media accounts. But I am even more cognizant of it now.

  You always want to put your best foot forward. Always.

  Outside of the obvious, here are a few things I've learned on the fly about social media:

1. It's not about what you do, it's about who you are. Let your personality shine through. 
2. Sarcasm doesn't always translate. 
3. Think before you post, you never know who's reading. 
4. You never know who's reading, in turn leads to: you never know who you can connect with, and where things may lead. 
5. News travels quickly -- in the past several years, I learned of the most important news events via social media and Twitter. 
6. You can have amazing conversations and interactions with people you don't know, and may never meet.

  Whatever we use social media for, and whether we mean to or not, we're building a brand. For me, I think my brand is three things: athlete, traveler, and health-conscious. That's what I would think, but I really don't know for certain.

  What's your brand?

LINKS:

What Are You Remembered As? 

Social Score is the New Credit Score

A Perfect 10

Finished the season on the sideline.

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  It's not shocking news, really. I've been hinting at it, and toying with it for months. Some might say for years.

  But I'm making it official. My basketball sneakers have been hung up. For good.

  It's not as difficult to say those words, or type those words, as I thought it would be. Maybe because the signs have been pointing to 'retirement' for quite some time.

  The injuries were one thing. But the mental outlook was quite another.

  Most of you know, I was on the sideline a great deal this past season. Your body not holding up, not allowing you to do your job, spoke volumes. There was nothing more frustrating than not being able to do what you wanted to physically.

Fan art from my second year in Italy.

  But still, some might not want to end their career on the sideline. And I just could be stubborn enough to try something like that. There had to be more than a faulty back to push me into the real world.

  Mentally and emotionally, I was ready. My mind and my heart were screaming to me that my basketball career had run its course. The lifestyle, the constant moving, the uncertainty, has worn me down. I guess I've had enough.

  Ten seasons overseas is perfect anyway, don't you think? I've always been a stickler for balance and a little square that way (my nice-and-square SAT scores, for example -- exactly the same in both the math and the verbal).

A fun moment -- All Star game warm up -- Poland.

  Ten is a nice round number. Ten seasons gave me plenty of time to play basketball, the game I fell in love with as a little girl, the game that helped give me confidence and an identity, the game that has provided me with so many opportunities -- to see the world and meet incredible people, for a living!

  But now it's time for the next chapter.

  And before you ask, 'well, now what are you going to do?' Let me just say that I'm working on it!

  There are a lot of different directions I can go. So I am hoping to take some time this summer, weigh my options, and figure out what will be the next best step for me. But be certain that I will keep you all posted.  

Ready for what's next!

  So it's official now. No going back! Barring some unforeseen events, and a near-miracle, I'm done playing basketball as a professional.

  The great thing about basketball however, is that you can play whenever you want. But it won't be the basketball that I miss. I can find that anywhere.

  Being part of a team, and the competitive spirit, is irreplaceable. So here's to joining a new team...

  I'm ready, and excited for what is next. Stay tuned!

Time flies when you're having fun -- My 200th Post

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  It kind of snuck up on me. Number 200. I was preparing last Friday's post as usual, when I realized my next entry would be the 200th of Sabrina's Crossing. I thought, a number like that shouldn't get just any old entry.

  Such a milestone was deserving of a special blog. Some special thought and reflection. A little attention and celebration. So I put things to a halt, and started working on number 200.

  Roughly 19 months have passed since I started blogging. And it's passed very quickly.

The Questions
  I've never been one to jump into something without giving it a lot of thought. Blogging had been an idea for a while, but I had always hesitated, and not taken the jump. Not til September of 2011 (my first post). It was the start of a new basketball season for me: another new experience, a new country, a new team, and I had decided, a new blog (my post on why I finally decided to start blogging).

Blogging has been an interesting turn in my journey.

  I was unsure of several things when I started: how often I would write, what exactly I would write about, would I like it, would I be any good at it, and probably most importantly, would it last? On a day-to-day basis those are still the questions I ask myself. But nevertheless, I plug along.

  It's been a good experiment, and I've surprised myself to a certain extent. Not that I've kept up with it, because usually when I commit to something, I stick to it. But because of the importance I've put on writing and blogging.

  I will sit down for three to four hours at a time working on an entry. I'll put other things off until I've published for the day. When I've given myself a deadline, I hold to it, and want to get it done. So it has held me accountable while I entertain the hours of down time throughout my days in Europe. To week in and week out, put together two to three (hopefully) quality posts. It keeps my mind working. My blog gives me someone to 'answer' to.

The Posts
  Some topics and posts are easier to write about than others. And some are more personal than others. They vary from informative, to introspective and experienced-based.

  The more difficult entries are ones that are information heavy. I want to relay the important points, and do it in the most efficient way possible. Posts that are too long, won't get read. I know that. So the struggle lies in quickly getting to the point, and laying down the facts. Those are probably the most satisfying to write because I feel like I'm 'doing good', so to speak. I like passing along information that I think has value, and that usually goes unnoticed in our daily life.

Pictures can say it all.

  Travel blogs are fun. I don't have to rack my brain for creative ideas. For those, I rely on my memory and my camera. A picture's worth a thousand words, so many times, I let the pictures do the talking. 

  And of course there's basketball. For me, basketball posts are like second nature. I could write about basketball for days.

  I like varying my posts. Being well-rounded in my life, and in my writing (and in my basketball!), holds a great deal of value to me. I like the things I've been writing about, and I think that's also an important facet: to like what you're doing.

  The ability to change topics keeps things fresh for me to a certain extent. If I were to only write about one thing or another, I think the well would run dry, and I would get bored. Having a wide variety keeps things interesting for me. And hopefully keeps you interested. 

The Process
  I'm always looking for new things to write about, and I guess new ways to challenge myself. But I've also used my blog to think aloud at times. Vent frustrations, or ask questions. You could call it an online diary, but I would prefer to think of it as more-informative than therapeutic.

Working on some notes while on the road.

  I've settled into a nice little routine, and have gotten pretty adept at getting my entry mostly-written the night before I want to post it. My goal is to publish three times a week. And more often that not, I hit that goal.

  But I find myself always brainstorming, working on some graphic, or slightly changing my layout. So I put a lot of effort and energy into Sabrina's Crossing.

  Blogging has become fairly time consuming, and whether it's time well spent, who knows? But I enjoy it. And I'm learning. About me. About the things I'm writing about. And about the inter-workings of blogging, internet graphics, promoting, and the like.

  Other interests, outside of basketball, have come forward through my writing. Not too long ago, I thought I was a 'jock' and that was it. But there's a lot more to me than bouncing an orange ball. My blog has helped me express, and explore, those other interests. So I couldn't be happier that I finally made the jump into Sabrina's Crossing.

The Great Intangible -- Being a Teammate

This year's squad.

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  When you're on the sideline, you tend to notice the little nuances about your team. You see the things that make it 'tick'. The good, the bad, the ugly. It amounts to being an outsider, with inside information.

  You see interactions and chemistry in a new way. Not being on the court during games and practices gives you a different perspective. The emotion of the game is taken out of it, so you can see things for what they are.

  It also makes you see and remember all the things it requires to be on a great team. And miss all the things you don't have.

  I guess it's true: "You don't know what you've got 'til it's gone."

It's Not a Right
  I look at being on a team as a privilege. It's not a right. Especially as you grow older.

  As a kid, everyone is on a team. You sign up, you get a jersey. Easy as that. As you get older, maybe you have to try out. Teams get a more selective as the talent gets better and better. But as a pro, and even as a collegiate athlete, they ask you to be on their team.

The Intangibles
  I think there are two qualities that make or break your chances of being a member of a team as you get deeper and deeper into your playing career: 1) talent, of course, and 2) being a great teammate, having the intangibles.

  If you have both of those qualities, it's very likely you'll be asked to be a part of quite a few teams in your day. Your career will be a long one. There won't be a team out there that doesn't want you on their squad.

  If you're a talented athlete only, and not a stellar teammate, chances are you'll still be sought out quite often to be a part of a team. Pure talent overrides attitude and intangibles in many cases. But after time, your reputation will catch up with you, and the well will run dry. People, coaches, managers, etc will catch wind of your unwillingness to be a teammate first.

  On the contrary, if you're just an okay athlete, but a great teammate, your career will be just as long, if not longer. By being a great teammate, you can make up for any downfalls you have as a player. 

  What makes a great teammate?

Probably the best 'team' I've been a part of.

Positivity
  Having a positive attitude is A, number one. I think it goes without saying, but you'd be surprised how often athletes are mired in negativity. Through thick and thin, a great teammate remains upbeat, and encouraging.

  Seasons are long, and there are a lot of ups and downs. Whether you're playing well, or not (or maybe not playing as much as you'd like). A great attitude can push you towards playing even better (or more).

  Looking from the outside, a negative attitude (pouting, disinterest, lack of effort, etc) is the fastest way to get yourself a selfish player label. 

Tireless Worker
  Great work ethic and positivity go hand in hand. And often times, they're both contagious. You talk, your teammates talk. You go out of your way to help a fallen teammate up, they're going to be more apt to do the same. You see your teammate working their tail off, you turn it up a few notches, to either match their effort, or surpass it.

  And a hard working team can't help but be successful. 

Make Your Teammates Look Good
  You make your teammates better players. I think it's a teammate's responsibility to do everything they can to help their other teammates succeed. Rotating over to help out on defense (there's nothing worse than seeing an opponent stroll in for an uncontested layin because no one rotated to help). Setting a solid screen (even if it hurts). Making a perfect pass, so all they have to do is put the ball in the bucket.

  Being a great teammate is also the willingness to go the extra mile (or kilometer, since I'm in Europe) for your teammates every time you step onto the court.

  Each member of a team has a role. No matter how big, or how small , for a team to be successful, those roles have to be fulfilled each and every time the ball goes up. You want to pull your own weight, do your job and not let your teammates down.

  Look at your role as your job. In order to do your job, first, you need to know your role. What is expected of you? What are your team's strategies, both offensively and defensively? To me, letting down a trusting teammate is the worst feeling on the basketball court.

Intangibles lead to celebrations -- Como.

Team First
  Putting the success of your team before your individual success. Are you trying to win the game, or are you trying to score 20 points?

  Sometimes you have to sacrifice a little personal success for the betterment of the team. Whether it'd be playing fewer minutes, making the extra pass, taking a tough defensive assignment, or maybe playing a different role than the one you initially had in mind (all the while keeping a good attitude), there are numerous ways to sacrifice for the good of your team.

  You cannot play with yourself, and only yourself, in mind. If you do, you might as well go play tennis, or golf.

Trust
  Through all these elements, you and your teammates develop a trust. A trust that you'll be there when the chips are down. Whether you're tired, hurting, or on the contrary, completely healthy, you'll be there. They can count on you, and you can count on them. It has to go both ways.

  And trust, to me, is the crucial key to playing on a successful team. But it all starts from you striving to be a great teammate first.

  It's not always easy, but it'll be well-worth it!

  Playing on a team, and having great teammates, is a special situation. I think I've taken it for granted when my teams have had 'it'. But not every team has it -- where each member is striving to be a better teammate. It's what separates good teams from bad. And great teams from good.

  But it's those the teams, those seasons, you remember with a smile.

Game Day = Test Day

France '12.

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  If there's a day of the week I need to be at my best, it's Saturday.

  It's the equivalent of test day back in our school days. We put in the work during the week, to hopefully earn that passing grade, a win, come Saturday.

  It's game day.

  That's when it all matters. Why we put in the work. Why we get paid. Fans are there. Family and friends are there. Media is there. It's your one time during the week to show your stuff.

  With so much on the line, you obviously want to be at your peak, both physically and mentally. Not to mention it's your job to be at the top of your game. If you're not, you're letting your teammates down (not to mention yourself!) and your opponents will quickly take advantage.

  Nothing frustrates me more than not playing my best come game day. Unfortunately it's been known to happen. So I do whatever I can to physically prepare myself for Saturday. If that means I need to do a little extra work, so be it.

Balancing Act
  Each, and every week, it's a constant battle to find the right balance between preparing yourself, while not over-doing it.

  If you do too much over the course of the practice week, you find yourself sluggish, with tired legs on Saturday. Hardly at the top of your game. If you take it easy during the week, on Saturday you're soft, lethargic, maybe even getting winded too easily. Again, far from your best.

Germany '09-'10/

  But if you find that balance, the sweet-spot, you feel like you could play forever. You have a rhythm for the game. Your legs are there throughout, and you recover quickly when you get tired. It's your goal to feel like that every week.

  For me personally, I need to be ready to play anywhere from 35 to 40 minutes a game (of a 40 minute game). That means I need to be in great shape. It's tough to play at a high level for 35+ minutes!

  I've found that taking it easy during the week, and saving your legs, is not going to cut it. For me anyway.

When Practice Doesn't Cut It
  In a perfect world, you get all your necessary preparation in practice. And there would be no need for extra work. But I've found in the last few years, I don't always get what I need out of practice.

  For example, sometimes we don't have 10 players. When that's the case, we're unable to go up and down the court and play five-on-five. There's not a drill in the world that can simulate playing full-court basketball at an intense level, so obviously that is the best way to prepare physically for games.

Sweden '08-'09.

  On those days, where I feel like practice didn't get me ready for Saturday, I have to do a little extra work on my own. That might mean a day of extra shots at game speed, or extra running/cardio, or maybe an extra session in the weight room. Or maybe all of the above.

  It depends on the week, and it depends on how I'm feeling. Over the course of my career, I've learned to trust my body. And think I have a pretty good idea of what I need to be at my best.

Training For a Game, Not a Marathon
  But sometimes it's about mental health and happiness too.

  Since I love running, the easy thing for me to do would be to go out and run 20, 30, 40 minutes. Nothing makes me feel better than being outside, clearing my mind, working up a sweat, while on a run.

  While that might give me a good workout and a mental release, running long distances isn't the most efficient way to train during basketball season. It's probably not in my best interest to be out there pounding on my legs day in and day out. That would be overdoing it. And my time and effort could be used doing something more-applicable to basketball.

  So I've come to realize that I might have to sacrifice wanting to go out and run everyday in order to be ready to play on Saturdays (even when I look out my window and see runners racing by!). While running might make me feel better in the short term (that day), a few days down the line, I might find myself tired. And I can't have that.

2012-2013 team.

  Outside of a recovery run early in the week, I'm trying to stay away from pounding the pavement. And instead, I'm giving interval training a try. Either on a bike or an elliptical machine, simulating short sprints (like you find in a basketball game) with even shorter recovery time. It's a sure fire way to get your heart rate pumping fast (without the wear and tear and pounding)!

  It's something new for me, so we'll see how it goes!

  I'm always experimenting and exploring things I can do to make myself better. I want to be in tune with my body, and always do what's right in order to be at my best come Saturday. I realize it's important to allow time to recover after physically demanding games. And it's an extremely long season, that we've only just begun!

  So I'm working now to find that balance -- to earn that A on game day!

Learning from Losing

A game earlier this season.

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  For just the second time since the turn of the new year my team, DMBC Dunkerque, celebrated a win Saturday night. Two wins in three months -- yikes! To be honest, I'm a little surprised I haven't been stuck in a deep depression from all the losing. It got me thinking about how I've changed over the years in regards to how I handle losses.

  While my uniforms and teammates have changed drastically over time, my reasons for playing haven't. At first, when I was a kid, I played strictly for fun. Over the course of years and years of practice, it eventually became my job.

  Though, for whatever reason, it's never felt like a job to me. Probably because basketball has never stopped being fun. The work can be hard, both physically and mentally (you do the work to be your best. To me, meaning, to win). And yes, it can be frustrating when things aren't going your way. But when it comes down to it, I STILL find great joy when I step onto the court. And it still is where I feel I am at my best -- in my realm.

One Bad Loser
 

My motto...

  One thing I've learned is that losing never gets easy. Though I think I've gotten a little better at it over the years. When I was in high school, if we lost, I would never be able to sleep. I would literally replay every moment back in my mind: Every shot I took and missed, or every turnover I made; every play that went awry, and wanted to have back, was running in my mind while I tried to sleep.

  The constant game film replaying in my head usually resulted in me tossing and turning the entire night. I would fall asleep at some point, and wake up the next morning in an awful mood, not wanting to go to school. You can bet, nine times out of 10 I was in class the next day. Though I didn't give in without a fight. ;)

  So you can say I didn't handle losing very well as a teenager.

Learning to Adjust

Winning is fun...

 
  I don't want to say I learned how to lose my freshman year in college. But it's safe to say I learned to cope with it better. Point blank: we weren't very good my first year at Colorado.

  We were young, and inexperienced. And that was NOT the recipe for success for competing in one of the toughest conferences in the country.

losing isn't.

  Our team consisted of one junior, six sophomores, three freshmen and a walk-on. Tough to win in a conference like the Big-12 with a line-up like that. As a result, we took our fair share of bumps and bruises along the way.

  Early on my freshman year, I reacted to losses in a similar fashion. By tossing and turning the entire night, beating myself up, and replaying what I could have done better to help my team win. Eventually I guess I learned how to put the loss aside, long enough for my mind to quiet down, so I could get some all-important sleep.

  As my team at CU got better and more-experienced, winning became the norm again. So thankfully I never accepted losing.

Re-Adapting as a Pro

  As a professional, I've always been on winning teams. Teams that have made the playoffs, and had successful seasons, record-wise. This season, however, has been the losing-est season I've had in a long, long time. I've never had a season in Europe where my team finished below .500.

Celebrating a win in Germany.

  It's definitely not something to be proud of, but I guess it goes to show that I've grown up a bit in that regard. The fact that I am enjoying my time in Dunkerque, even with all the losses, says a great deal. There are definitely still times when I'm not-so-happy about how things are going (usually on Saturday night and Sunday morning after a loss).

  But life goes on, and you learn from set-backs. A couple things I've learned along the way:

• You learn what you really value in life. Things outside of the game that bring you joy. 
• You learn how to persevere. Life will never be easy for us ALL the time. It's important to take the bumps, learn from them, and keep moving!
• You learn to rise above negativity. Losing equals a lot of negative thoughts (your own), and negative things (maybe attitudes, words, actions) around you. You learn not to give into the negativity, and hopefully turn it into something positive for yourself.
• You learn to handle your emotions, and not let them control you. 
• You learn there is always another game, and another chance to redeem yourself. So you have to prepare yourself when that time comes!

  I will never accept losing as the norm. Because losing is not fun. And that's why I play!

Celebrating a big win in Italy.

  You'll never find me cheery and chatty after a loss. To me, the day you're okay with losing, is the day you should stop playing. When you're okay with losing, that means you've stopped caring, and stopped competing. If you don't care, it's time to get off the court. Simple as that.

  But finally I've learned that you can get something out of an L as well!

  With our win over Laveyron on Saturday, DMBC Dunkerque officially avoided relegation (for more about that, read: Avoiding Relegation). Three games to go, and it's clear sailing! Here's to three more wins to finish the season!

What the Body Says, Goes

2010-2011 season in Sweden.

Tweet
  It's like it knew I was talking about it, and wanted to let me know EXACTLY who was in charge...

  On Friday I wrote about how I typically go about making my decision on whether I will play another basketball season abroad as a pro.

  Atop that list, is a heavy dependence on how my body feels, and if I feel I am healthy enough to play another physically demanding season.

  As an athlete, you're always going to have aches and pain, and bumps and bruises. But you quickly learn to decipher one from the other. What you can play through, and what needs more attention. There's an enormous difference between playing hurt and playing injured.

Playing Injured vs. Playing Hurt
  Playing injured is never a smart idea, in my opinion. An injury, of any kind, demands immediate attention, and requires you to take a break to let your body heal. On the other hand, I think everyone has played hurt at one point or another. You wake up with a stiff back, or your foot doesn't feel quite right. So you warm-up a little bit more-gingerly, and before you know it, you're feeling normal.

NCAA Tourney -- Elite 8 versus Oklahoma.

  As your career progresses (at least this has been my experience), your body develops its habitual injuries. They're the things that you always have to keep in mind, and be aware of.

  They've probably been nagging you off and on for years. But when it comes down to it, they're the things that always seem to be the culprit when it comes to keeping you off the court.

My Constant: My Back
  For some basketball players, it might be their knees. Since my college days, it's always been my back. Nine times out of 10, if I'm on the sideline, it's going to be because of my back.

  I had surgery on it when I was 20 because of herniated discs. It was a scary thing. Lots and lots of back pain, and leg numbness. Not normal for a 20 year old, is it? But thankfully, I felt immediate relief after the surgery, and slowly made my way back to the court.

  Dealing with my back has been a learning experience. I've learned a lot about what my body can and cannot do. Things that help my body excel, and the things that drag me down. I am very cautious about trying out new exercises or movements that I feel might expose by back, and cause any injury.

  I think because of the precautions I take, and the extra exercises I do (lots of stretching and core-strengthening), I have been able to keep my back relatively healthy during my career as a professional.

This season vs. Le Havre.

  But sometimes you can't help it. Things happen on the court -- you're bound to tweak it every once in a while. And that's exactly what happened with me over weekend. I felt a slight twinge in practice on Thursday, got treatment on Friday, and thought I'd be ready to go for our game on Saturday night (March 3rd). My body had other ideas however. And that's where you have listen to what it is saying.

Your Body is Boss
  Your mind can think one way, but your body might have a whole different plan. Sad to say, but you can't will your body to being able to play.

  It's a sobering thing, as an athlete, to have your body fail you. You can work all you want to prepare, but sometimes it's just not in the cards for you to be out on the court.

NCAA Tourney vs. North Carolina

  In my younger days, I might have tried to give it a go, and struggled though a painfully (in more ways than one) bad game. I've been there before, but I know better now.

  While I love basketball with all my heart, I realize it is a game, and pain is there for a reason. Not being able to play freely (injured) is no fun. In fact it's down right miserable, and that's one thing I will never do again.

  So I had to sit out our game versus Pleyber-Christ. It's always difficult to be on the sidelines, watching your team. You feel a little helpless. So all you can do is cheer your teammates on, and hope for the best. But sometimes you just have to listen to your body, and let things rest.

  Thanks for the reminder, body (not that I needed it)! You indeed DO call the shots! (by the way, I'm feeling better -- should be back on the court in a couple days!)

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