I know you know … but  what if, all you know is only a portion of what you need to know or could know. Would you still play the role and continue to act like you know anyway, or would you seek out the information to move forward? What? You would just keep doing what you do … huh….? Really?! Okay, I get it. You must be a BASKETBALL PLAYER!

It’s unbelievable  how so many basketball players think they already “know”- at least enough (especially older players).  On top of that, they refuse (somehow ?) to believe that what they don’t know not only shows, but is ultimately vital to their success. It’s craziness. But in the world of basketball, that’s how it is for the most part, even non-players think they know. This is delusion of the most high.  No other sport is quite as bad. Sh!  If only basketball was as simple as: a ball , a hoop , a couple of crossovers, a made three-pointer here and there,  and KABAM … give me the jersey –please!

Hoop is such a glamour/warrior driven sport  that egos are clad in tuxedos. Help is for others, but not me though?

Even if you can play , you probably can’t really play anywhere near where you think you can.  The vast majority of  players think their capacities are  120+ % of their actual self. That is, they think their capability (in a certain area or overall game) is at 100, but their actual proficiency  or ability  is closer to 80 in this scenario. I will say however, that a person with true ability who thinks this way is quite dangerous, especially in comparison to capable players who think 70 or 80% of self (think they’re at 70-80 % when they’re actually at 100%) — but that’s another issue.

Many ballplayers would rather be “…ruined by praise than saved by criticism.” (Norman Vincent Peale). In fact, many people do everything in their power to  surround themselves with people who will always say positive things about them and give them approval. Understandably, people generally don’t like being criticized.  But in order to truly improve, you must find a way to embrace it, rather than run away from it. Getting approval is very easy.  Getting the “real talk” can be tough, but worth the effort.  You can always find at least one person who will tell you exactly what you want to hear.

In order to improve, you need to ask yourself what you can do to grow, evolve, and excel.  You also need to seek people  who have solution-based information.  Since everybody knows something about basketball, you must develop an effective filtering method for the information you move forward with.  Ask: Does the information giver offer a Verification Model ( Information, Demonstration, Explanation and confirmation) ? Keep in mind, that when you do receive constructive criticism (quality information),  be certain to  listen to it and apply it to your program (skills, methods, and understandings).  Otherwise, it becomes a wasted opportunity.     People who “Listen to the Message” grow.  Most players fail to learn from criticism (see: “The Brain Game” chapter 2 in the Sampler) and therefore cannot adapt in response to it.

Bottom Line: Seek optimization where you can find it and  please….

“DON’T COMPROMISE YOURSELF… YOU’RE ALL YOU GOT!” — Janis Joplin

This is the dawn of the new  basketball vanguard. “The  Virtual Game…” will usher in a new understanding of prowess, objective and expectation.  I hope the articles to date have moved you at least closer towards the world of Virtual Play and the realm of optimization.

Welcome to the basketball matrix.  Here ultimate technique meets artistic expression. As a Virtual Player, you are bound only by perfection and emotion. Actualization as a Virtual Player occurs when you have mastered the art of allowing yourself to demonstrate the full gamut of your skill sets in the moment of exchange.

The road to virtual actualization is an arduous journey. It is truly the road less traveled. It takes incredible brainpower and discipline to deal with the rigors of programming and development: Man vs. Brain is the main event in an emotional “super fight.” So few stay the path as the stress and strain of change becomes too difficult and the process outweighs the passion and resolve of the individual. It is understandable. A Virtual Player is a rare treasure and like the most precious stone, the product of proper pressure, focus and time. Pressure to improve steadily. Focus on the right materials. And time to make it all happen.

May this material be a new testament for a new

millennium player

VP’s objectives for play are governed by net result and outcomes. Success is based on established default settings for optimal performance and extreme focus. VP’s mental make-up is one of emotional control. This control is rooted in the ability to withstand the toll of programming – interjecting commands to forge positive reps and acquire skill. VP’s realize they are greater than the brain and can exercise dominion through hyper-focus and a calm assertive mind. This mastery of the brain game will stand as a purposeful model of understanding advancement for whatever else in life.

As a VP you function as a viable component of any system.  You understand that it takes the right inputs for the right outputs and are machine-like in your approach. Intellectually you process the action of the game frame-by-frame, as if driving through an uncontrolled intersection: quick to assess and ready to act. This ability makes you an outstanding decision-maker even under duress. In fact, the more pressure you are subjected to, the closer you will move toward your defaults for clean play and performance. You fully embrace the law of leadership and work to preserve your offensive advantage to be first.  Your mission defensively is to “SCHOOL” your opponent and protect the “Queen” by any legal means necessary.

You are supremely confident, and your purpose and resolve is unshakable. You evoke the ire of inferior competition and the nodded respect of other true players. Purists will revel in the “basicology” of your play. However you must accept the reality and responsibility of continuously impacting others both positively and negatively. People’s perceptions of you as a player and person will be in constant flux as they attempt to balance your ability with their ego. Still, you must continue working to minimize negative impacts involving those in your environment who cannot comprehend your prowess or processes. Your sole goal is chartable growth at all times.

Technology will forever change. You must adapt to these changes or be prepared to fall short of your objectives.

Be gracious in victory and honorable in defeat. You are a Virtual artist who respects the game and others who play it. Above all, you respect yourself enough to register and accept optimization where you may find it. Grow in the game like you will play forever. Play like it is your last opportunity to perform —  “The Virtual Game of Basketball”

“By the Time You Get To Where You’re Going”, seemed to have struck an emotional chord deep in the basketball souls of many readers. Its  message resonated  and motivated those players with “time” and wrenched the hearts of those without. The good news is basketball was never intended to be the end all in our lives, but rather an important part of our personal development as individuals.

There will come a crossroad in every player’s journey between basketball life and life itself. For many basketball isn’t just a way of life, but rather, larger than life and  inextricably linked to their identity and sense of self.  As a result, far too many players get lost in the quagmire of unfulfilled dreams  when basketball is no longer a realistic priority.   As painful as the transition may be, don’t despair, I declare… if you can hoop there’s hope.

If you can hoop (especially if you’re a star), it  means you’ve put  an inordinate amount of energy into developing your skill sets.  All those long hours on the playground and in the gym were not in vain. It’s time for the payoff.  Maybe it’s not how you imagined  it would be with a college scholarship or pro contract in hand, but, what you did get is a lifetime of benefit package and it’s ready to be activated.

The adage sports can teach you a life ‘s lesson if you let it is definitely true.  So now ask yourself the question … what have been the lessons learned inside your time in basketball.  Basketball gloriously is just  a model of life.  The same keys to success in the sports realm are transferable to life situations. So again, as daunting as a direction change seems at the moment; have no fear, sports has taught you tremendous things.

You have hands on experience with quick analysis and decision-making.  You are schooled in  group dynamics and goal setting.  You know what it’s like to be disciplined and dedicated.  You’ve walked the walk  because you understand the correlation between inputs for outputs and how each component impacts the whole unit.  You know how to execute and  persevere under pressure because you’ve been pushed to the limit and found a way to survive and enjoyed success.  You’ve beat the odds before and it was  your passion and refuse to lose attitude the carried you through.

Passion is the fuel that helps you motor through the tedium of all that is required of you on your journey to where you want to go.

Trust me. Developing yourself inside any sport may be the toughest challenge you face in life.  With the right approach (bring your “A” game), any other endeavor is just as doable- at least.

As kids we are taught to dream big and work like hell to make them come true.   Well, don’t believe the hype — at least not entirely.  Dreams do come true (it COULD happen to you)- perhaps you’ve heard the jingle?  Yes, they may come true , but only if you do what must be done to embody who you want to be.  

“What are the chances of randomly acquiring the necessary skill sets to become a top player? As a result, “stars” are rare.  That means most players are in desperate need of the right information or materials to become the diamond of their dreams…” 

In basketball, like many endeavors,  there’s such a narrow window in which to actualize as a  top performer- particularly if you have aspirations of playing collegiately or professionally. Often times, hoop dreams turn to hoop hopes, which  turn to unanswered prayers. Those that continue to live the dream are but  hopeless dreamers, desperately trying to get through a window that will never re-open. This is the case in all sports, but painfully true  in basketball.

Truthfully, the window was never really open. Of  the  myriad of  challenges  on the road to a college scholarship or NBA opportunity – being skilled enough is certainly one of them. It seems that  so many skilled individuals  never quite make it to the big-time. On closer look, these players typically have “little things” missing from their games.  Those trace elements of successful play that typically go unnoticed by most (players),  because they’re unknown by most – and that includes far too many modern coaches. 

 As a result,  individuals never quite get what they really need to make it happen – unless they somehow randomly acquire the skill sets. This makes many so close… yet so far away from their goals.

The key is preparing yourself  properly as quickly as possible to fit inside the limited time frame available to capitalize.

Think of how many people would be high school stars,  if they were allowed to participate years after their eligibility.   This holds true for every level.  There are former college players  playing in Men’s and Women’s leagues across the country who would kill in college.  However, with their eligibility gone… so is their opportunity.

What is needed is some sort of guide to help you down the path. The guide could be an individual, reference material or both.

This way, there’s a greater opportunity to make it to the Big-time ….in Real-time!