Hi Michael:
The past few years, thanks to the Warriors and the exciting style of pell-mell basketball that they play, I have come back to watching the NBA, a passion I'd foresworn for years with the demise of the "show-time" Lakers. And I have come to the following conclusions about NBA players, with you in mind.
--They are incredibly athletic. I've often felt more NBA players could succeed at other sports than non-basketball athletes could in the NBA. By this standard of athleticism, I believe you are an NBA talent.
--They play defense. If you watch re-runs of old NBA games, you are surprised at how weak the defense is. But that was before George Karl and Ron Adams and so many other coaches showed up with their defensive schemes, such that today, you cannot play in the NBA if you can't play defense. Of course, defense is one of your strengths, so by this standard too you are an NBA talent.
--Shooting. Oh, wow, can NBA players shoot. Curry and Thompson may be other-worldly in this respect, but up and down the roster of every team are guys who can shoot the ball. One of Montana's own, Will Cherry, had the athleticism and the defensive prowess to play in the NBA, but not the shot. He improved greatly at Montana from when I saw him as a senior in high school, but shooting was never his thing, and it doomed his NBA career. And by this standard, you are not yet an NBA talent. I think it's the only thing holding you back.
So here's my advice. Find the best shooting coach you can. Work with him (or her!) Then get thee to a gym. Make it a goal to shoot a million shots during the off-season. And every time you shoot one of those shots, think to yourself, "I just made $5." Because if in two years you become a dead-eye shooter, that will be chump change for you.
Best of luck!
Citay
The past few years, thanks to the Warriors and the exciting style of pell-mell basketball that they play, I have come back to watching the NBA, a passion I'd foresworn for years with the demise of the "show-time" Lakers. And I have come to the following conclusions about NBA players, with you in mind.
--They are incredibly athletic. I've often felt more NBA players could succeed at other sports than non-basketball athletes could in the NBA. By this standard of athleticism, I believe you are an NBA talent.
--They play defense. If you watch re-runs of old NBA games, you are surprised at how weak the defense is. But that was before George Karl and Ron Adams and so many other coaches showed up with their defensive schemes, such that today, you cannot play in the NBA if you can't play defense. Of course, defense is one of your strengths, so by this standard too you are an NBA talent.
--Shooting. Oh, wow, can NBA players shoot. Curry and Thompson may be other-worldly in this respect, but up and down the roster of every team are guys who can shoot the ball. One of Montana's own, Will Cherry, had the athleticism and the defensive prowess to play in the NBA, but not the shot. He improved greatly at Montana from when I saw him as a senior in high school, but shooting was never his thing, and it doomed his NBA career. And by this standard, you are not yet an NBA talent. I think it's the only thing holding you back.
So here's my advice. Find the best shooting coach you can. Work with him (or her!) Then get thee to a gym. Make it a goal to shoot a million shots during the off-season. And every time you shoot one of those shots, think to yourself, "I just made $5." Because if in two years you become a dead-eye shooter, that will be chump change for you.
Best of luck!
Citay