So last week, as you may have seen in Saturday’s post, I began individual performance training at the B Meyer training facility in Altamonte Springs, Florida.

If you didn’t see Saturday’s post, Coach B Meyer has been featured in Men’s Health, USA Today, and ESPN to name a few and is the performance coach for many professional athletes, including the Orlando Magic’s Dwight Howard.  It’s safe to say this is the real deal!

Through my first four sessions it has been an unbelievable experience!

Truthfully, I’m not really a morning person or a “working out” person (besides running and court work), but over the past week I’ve been so excited to wake up at 5am and go workout with Coach B and his program coach Dave Rubin that I almost can’t sleep the night before!  I’m thrilled because I know I’m getting better!

Last week I was scheduled for two sessions, but then on Friday morning because I was so amped, I sent Dave the following text, “Man, I wanna workout today!”

I really didn’t expect anything from that but within a few minutes Dave had made time for me in his schedule so that I could come by and get some work in!

That to me is an example of, as my buddy Andy says, “Good people!”

It’s the best feeling to have people that want you to improve as much as YOU want to improve and that’s what I’ve got with Dave and Coach B!

I’m thankful, for sure!

Initial Test Results

So I did a series of tests on Friday, ranging from vertical jump to 300 yard shuttle, so that I could track my improvement over the period of training and I thought I would share the initial results:

Vertical:  23.6 inches (no steps, just straight up)

Max Push-Ups:  30

Max Suspension Pull-Ups:  15

Broad Jump:  6’10”

300 Yard Shuttle:  1:12

Measurement of waist at belly button:  32 inches

Measurement two inches above belly button:  32 inches

Due to me not working out at all prior to last week (besides running and playing hoops as previously mentioned), I’m satisfied with the initial results and know that I will see great improvement as I continue to get stronger!

Operation NBA Body is in full effect!

me vs. Michael Jordan…the journey continues!  I’m getting ready!

Are you Mr. Jordan?

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HELP ME:  I’m working hard over here and I need your help!  Please share this site with at least one person today and help spread the mevsMJ.com word!  All things are possible with FAITH and HARD WORK!

Connect:  Twitter (@KennyEller) and Facebook Fan Page.

“Come on Ken!  Stay up!  You’ve got this!  Just a few more seconds!” were the encouraging words coming my way from Coach B, as I lay stretched out on the floor early Tuesday morning, arms and chest raised, head tucked, in full Superman mode.

With effort dripping from my brow, it seemed only fitting that my initial evaluation/workout would include the Superman near its conclusion.  After all, the man that is Coach B, Bryan Meyer, is the performance coach behind probably the best physical specimen in any sport, Superman, aka Dwight Howard!

Will You Help Me Get Better?

“Will you help me get better?” was the humble request I sent Coach B’s (@CoachBMeyer) way a couple of weeks ago through Twitter.

I wasn’t sure if he would even respond, due to his schedule and the fact that he didn’t know me, but he did!

Over the next couple of days we exchanged a few messages and then this past Monday afternoon I was at his B Meyer Training facility, in Altamonte Springs, Florida, discussing my goal of playing Michael Jordan and what this site is all about.

More Than A Game of 1-on-1

For those of you that have been with me since the beginning here at mevsMJ.com, you understand that this journey is much more than a game of 1-on-1 vs. Michael Jordan.

While MJ is the end goal, this site is about pushing the limits of what is viewed as possible by the majority and maximizing the potential we all have in whatever venue you choose to do so.

Me + B Meyer Training

I’ve written in the past about preparing for WHEN, not if, your goal will happen and that’s what working with Coach B Meyer and his staff is all about!

I’m preparing for WHEN I check the ball in to Michael Jordan!

While I may never be able to do the things that Dwight Howard can do, I do want to maximize every bit of Kenny Eller! (Note:  I didn’t say that I wouldn’t be able to do what Howard can do!  Always gotta think positive!)

So over the coming weeks, I will wake up at 5am, drive some 50 minutes a couple of times a week, to work with Coach B and his staff to become the best me that I can be.

I must tell you that after my first three sessions I already feel stronger and more prepared!  (Don’t be afraid Mr. Jordan! ;-))

My Commitment

My initial commitment is to train for a minimum of three months and to give every bit of myself in each session.

I sincerely want to get BETTER and I know that working with Coach B will get me there!

I may not be where I’d like to be currently, but I can already see where I will end up and that is beyond exciting!

Session number four is early Monday morning and I CAN’T WAIT!!!

me vs. MJ…the soon to be in NBA shape journey continues!  As always, thank you following along!

Connect:  Twitter (@KennyEller) and Facebook Fan Page.

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For more information on Bryan Meyer and his B Meyer Training, connect with him on Twitter (@CoachBMeyer), through his Facebook Fan Page and on the B Meyer Training website.

Later this morning I will land in Las Vegas, Nevada for the first time.

I won’t be there to vacation or to gamble.

I’ll be there for Impact Basketball’s Competitive Training Series, which is a league featuring games with up to 60 current NBA players!

I’m going because I LOVE the game of basketball!

I’m going so that I can spread the mevsMJ.com word!

I’m going and I will challenge some NBA players to a game of 1-on-1!

I’m going so the pros can get a good up close look at the guy that WILL play Michael Jordan!

Be sure to check Twitter and the mevsMJ.com Facebook page for updates throughout the week and expect a full report when I return!

The journey of me vs. Michael Jordan continues!  Thanks for following along!

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Here is some action from week 1 (Video):

httpvh://youtu.be/lGBInMzQ8cQ

As I bent down and tied my Jordans the other day at the basketball court, I had this thought:

How often should I replace my basketball shoes?

My 2010 sprint into the running game had me thinking about that very thing. It’s fairly well known that runners are advised to replace their shoes every 300 to 500 miles. For someone that runs 20 miles per week that would mean swapping your running shoes out just under every four months, on the shorter end of that spectrum. The more you run, the quicker you need to replace your footwear. Simple.

Ask any runner how often one should buy new running shoes and you will likely get almost the exact same answer. It’s something that has been adopted and accepted in the running community.

What about the game of hoops? How often should shoes being used to play the game Dr. James Naismith created, be tossed/donated for a new pair?

The truth is I had no clue if there was an accepted rule of thumb for replacing basketball shoes and I’ve played ball my whole life.

How could this be?

A quick poll of some of the people that I know, including Division I College Coaches, Professional Basketball Trainers and current College and Pro basketball players resulted in no two answers being altogether the same.

Sure Michael Jordan would slip into a new pair of Air Jordans every game, but who can really afford to do that, unless of course you are MJ or are sponsored by the Jordan Brand. (Yes, Mr. Jordan or anyone with Brand Jordan reading this, I’d accept an invitation to be a Jordan athlete right now! My contact info is here. ;-))

So what about the rest of us? You know, the people who pay for shoes! How often should we replace our shoes?

In my non-scientific poll I received answers ranging from once a month for serious players to every two games for guys in the NBA. Others said every two months and some said once per basketball season. One person suggested having at least four pair in rotation at all times. Another said they wear them until they can’t wear them anymore.

I got amazing insight from a very esteemed group of individuals and some of it pretty in depth information, dealing with foot type, lateral wear and tear, hours spent in shoes on the court, etc.

At the end of it all, there just doesn’t seem to be a commonly accepted amount of time one should wear a pair of basketball shoes.

For me, as shown in the picture above, I’ve always found a pair that I liked and worn them until they can’t be worn any longer. When I can see my toes, it’s time for a new pair…haha!

When I was a kid I would get two pairs of shoes a year and that had more to do with me and my foot growing than anything. From the time I’ve been able to afford the luxury of having multiple sets of shoes, I’ve always had a pair that I wear on outdoor courts and then those I wear on just indoor courts. While I currently have a couple of unworn Jordans sitting around the house, waiting to be used, I’ve been playing in the same kicks since November and until recently never thought all that much of it.

Dr. Michael Lowe, team podiatrist of the NBA’s Utah Jazz and former President of The American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine breaks down the replacement of basketball shoes into hours used.

He suggests that while it will take an average runner 66 hours to run 500 miles at an 8 minute pace, a high school or college level basketball player will easily work out at least 72 hours per month. Based upon that methodology, those basketball players would need to replace their shoes every single month.

Even if you played hoops just one hour per day, five days a week, according to Dr. Lowe, that would mean replacing your shoes just a little over every three months.

While many NBA players replace their shoes every couple of games, or in Jordan’s case every single game, the common theme at the pro level seems to have more to do with injury prevention than superstition.

Dr. Lowe states, “I continue to tell my athletes and it has remained true, that after a shoe has been worn more than 60 hours then it should be thrown out and not used for workouts or games any longer, due to midsole compression and stretching of the upper from the torque of use and being wet from sweat.”

While Jordan always wanted to have that special feeling we all get when we put on a new pair of shoes, in the end, he may have helped aid himself against injury without even knowing it.

So what does all of this mean???

It means that I need to replace my shoes more often! I need more Joooorrrrddddaaaaanssss!!!

Honestly though, as with most things, whether you replace your shoes every week, month, or year, it comes down to usage and the almighty BUDGET.

Jordan brand shoes run anywhere from $100 up to $170 for his signature shoe this year. Kobe’s are $130. LeBron’s are $150. D. Wade’s $140. Derrick Rose’s $130.

You get the idea…pricey!

Even if you don’t go superstar brand, but follow this model of replacing shoes based upon 60 hours of use, your shoe bill may soon start to resemble that of Carrie Bradshaw.

Though if you can swing it, not only will you be happy to be sporting a new pair of kicks, your feet, and the rest of your body may be just as excited and healthy for it!

End of the day, unless you’re already in the NBA, we all probably need to replace our basketball kicks more frequently. The need to do so being fueled by injury prevention rather than vanity alone.

Exactly how often will remain up to you, though it definitely seems in this case that replacement in regular, rather short intervals is far better.

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What do you think? If you’d like to join the discussion, leave a comment below or head on over to the mevsMJ.com Facebook page and leave your vote!

As always, thanks for following along! Another day upon us means I’m one step closer to my goal of playing the man, Michael Jordan, 1-on-1! Thanks for the support!

Ok, time to go get some new Jordans!

**I’d like to thank all those who responded to a last second text/tweet or who voted on the mevsMJ.com Facebook Page! I appreciate you all!

He faked right, crossed over left, lowered his shoulder and exploded to the rim. It was game point, in game number three this past Sunday and Robert Brown, one of the top basketball players in the country (#80 by ESPN/#54 by Bob Gibbons), was about to freeze the gym.

Just one long stride past me and into the lane and he was in the air for what would be an emphatic windmill slam-dunk finish to our day. As the ball, seeming to weight at least 1,000 lbs, crashed to the hardwood court, I could feel all eyes of a fairly packed gymnasium looking our way.

The gym full of kids and young men hoping to one day fly in Brown’s shoes had just witnessed what I’ve experienced up close and personal during our last five of seven games over the past six months.

Honestly, I was just as amazed as they were. Every single time we play, usually a few months apart, he comes back even better than the time before, with something new added to his arsenal of moves.

Sunday he unveiled his deep 27-foot range and his wicked step back jumper going either way from three-point land to go along with some monstrous dunks.

He once again showed myself and every one watching, the reason Hokie Nation is beyond excited to see him step on the court next year for Virginia Tech.

In case you were wondering, Robert improved his record to a perfect 7-0 against me, but I had a blast and I got better!

The Best Don’t Get Tired

Each time I face a professional basketball player or a top tier talent like Robert Brown, at the foundation of all skills and athletic ability is premier conditioning.

They don’t get tired!

Against pretty much anyone else that I play basketball with, that has a job or doesn’t do basketball for a living, my conditioning is really good. It’s actually usually far superior to theirs and that HELPS GREATLY when we play.

BUT…when I match-up with guys who get paid or will get paid one day, it’s a different story.

As Robert and I talked after the games and shooting work, he explained to me just how important the conditioning aspect is to his game. He shared that when he first got up to Hargrave Military Academy, running suicides was tough, but by the time the season was over, running 25 suicides in 40 seconds or under with at 20 second break in between was nothing for him. In fact on one occasion they had even run 50 of them, to go along with practice of course.

So with that in mind and a craving to improve, I slipped on my shoes and went to the court yesterday morning just to see where I currently stood.

25 Suicides (A New Personal Mission to Improve My Conditioning)

After 12 minutes and 43 seconds of pushing myself, I was making my way to the bench located just to the left of the court. I needed a break! I needed water! I needed Oxygen!

13 suicides, each in 40 seconds or less with a 20 second break, had me spent and dripping with effort.

I sank down on the hard metal bench, pulled in as much air as possible, and thought about how much more explosive I would be when I got to my new goal of 25 suicides.

Every Day Until 25!!!

To make sure that I maximize my potential, I am committing myself to running suicides every day until I reach my goal of 25 suicides in 40 seconds or less.

Of course I have no idea exactly how long this process will take, but I guess I’ll soon find out!

Thank You Mr. Brown!

Most likely the next time I see Robert Brown, I’ll be sitting somewhere in Cassell Coliseum in Blacksburg, Virginia. I’ll be there to cheer on and support the young man who was the first BIG name to say yes and agree to help me on my journey here at mevsMJ.com. I’ll be thrilled to watch him show the rest of the World what he can do, but I won’t be surprised. I’ve seen his amazing game up close and personal.

For that, Robert Brown, I say THANK YOU!

Now go show Virginia Tech what you can do!

Note: I apologize for not getting video once again of our match-up this past Sunday. All I can tell you is the initial video of me playing Robert Brown doesn’t do him justice. Like I suspected, the first time we played he was just cruising. The last five times we’ve played he has upped the intensity and I wish you could see the difference, as I have. I guess we will just all have to wait and see next year when he suits up for Virginia Tech!

In 2010 I went from hating running to enjoying it.  From sitting on my couch to running over 530 miles.  I ran two half marathons.  I ran during the week in the mornings or evenings for fun.   From last summer through my injury, on the last day of January, I ran every Saturday morning (8-10 miles) with friends.

I loved it.  Loved how strong I felt.  Loved being able to run 10 miles at a nice pace, while talking with friends about their week.

I would discuss running at work, with friends, with anyone that would listen and even here on mevsMJ.com.

The pop in my calf muscle ended all of that.

I ran my first 2.5 miles last week in the past four months!

The Dilemma

MY GOAL:  Play Michael Jordan 1-on-1.

TRUTH:  Running long distances DOES NOT help me prepare for my goal.

I first realized this when I attended Impact Basketball training in November.  In a short period of time Matt Hiller had me gasping for air as I stood at the free throw line.  I had never been so short of breath in my life.  At the time I was running 18-20 miles per week and was able to run 5 miles at a 7:23 pace.

The realization hit home again later that month when I handed to ball to the #79^th ranked high school player in America, Robert Brown and played him 1-on-1.  Fourteen points in to game one, as I went to pick up the ball, I felt like I was going to pass out.  I was exhausted.  He wasn’t.

Finally, during the rehab of my injury it really hit home.  Speaking with numerous trainers and players, no trainer suggested running long distances and no player, and I’m talking even a former NBA All-Star, ran long distances as a way to prepare for basketball.

It made sense.

Basketball is about a series of explosive movements, not a steady speed for miles, even if that speed is considered fast.

Back to Hooping!

I’ve been back to hooping for just over two months and right now my game is feeling great!

Sure I got my butt kicked again by Robert Brown and then by NBDL draftee Garfield Blair when I first came back from injury, but since then I’m on a roll!

Over the past two weeks, of my last 12 games of one-on-one vs. “regular people” I’m 11-1.  I’m not just winning the games, I’m dominating!  My last four opponents I’ve outscored 60-12 combined (games are to 15 points).

I’m now less than two weeks from my match-up with Andy Gebru (played this past season professionally in Brazil) and besides a couple of nagging injuries (groin/ankle) I couldn’t be in a better place!

I’m ready to test myself again against the best and see the hard work I’ve been putting in turn into a better showing!

To Run…or Not To Run?

Due to understanding what is going to benefit me most in my preparation for Michael Jordan, I just haven’t been running.

Instead, I’ve been doing mostly everything on a basketball court and playing as much 1-on-1 as possible.  It seems to be working.

Still, last Wednesday evening I slipped on the Nikes, headed to the trail and ran.  I didn’t run very far, just 2.5 miles as I stated earlier, and it definitely wasn’t as easy as it was the last time I had run, though I did manage a 7:35 pace.

I didn’t run for conditioning.  I ran because I kind of missed it.

For me at this point right now, the answer to whether I should run or not comes down to what this journey is all about:  Doing something I’m passionate about!

While I can tell you I won’t be running 20 miles a week anytime soon, I may slip in a 5 mile run here and a 10 mile run there.

I’ll do it on days because I miss it, or for the comradery and most importantly because it brings me a little joy.

After all, a little joy is all we are ever really in search of isn’t it.

me vs. MJ…the journey continues!

Thank you for following along!

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100 Facebook Fans/Likes!!! (Wahooooo!)

Special THANK YOU to my FIRST 100 mevsMJ.com Facebook Fans/Likes!! The 100 of you will always be the first!  Very special to me!  If you haven’t already LIKED the mevsMJ.com Facbook page, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR??? <—It’s a LINK!

I don’t like lifting heavy things.  Never have.

I suppose if you’ve ever seen me in person on in any picture that is pretty evident.

What I do like is GETTING BETTER!

At the time of my injury, I was in the best shape of my life.  I could run for days, I was trim (more so than usual) and felt I could play hoops at a fairly high level for a sustained period of time.  Fast forward two months and with no ability to do any activity whatsoever, well, the above physical fitness just didn’t stay the same.

My first few sessions of physical therapy had me gasping for air within minutes.  It bothered me.  To go from where I was to that was a bit discouraging, but the thankfulness inside of me just to be able to DO anything far surpassed any frustration felt.

Still, one of the goals I set forth when I began mevsMJ.com was to get in the best shape of my life.  I knew then that I needed to be at my PEAK when I played Michael Jordan one-on-one and now I’m looking to Tony Horton and P90X to help me get there.

Later today will be my tenth workout thus far with P90X and besides the Yoga (kinda boring to me…I know I need to expand my mind) it has been a lot of fun.  Fun of course if you consider being exhausted and soaked with sweat, enjoyable.  I just look at it as getting better.  The harder I work, the better I get.

Love The Support!

I got an email the other day from my good friend Matt Hiller, who trained me at Impact Basketball.  He told me to stop thinking of myself as the underdog in my one-on-one match-ups!  He told me to be confident!  He closed with YOU GOT THIS!!!

I’ve talked in the past about how important a great support system is.  I’ve wrote about how important it is to have people that will “call you out“.  Matt is so right!  (If you’re reading this, thanks bro!)

Mental and Physical Adjustment

So I’ve made an adjustment in my thinking and now an adjustment in my preparation with P90X.  As Horton always says, “Do your best and forget the rest!”

I’m doing just that!

Thanks for following along!

*Note: I hope to have a post detailing my experience with the best basketball shooter in the world, Dave Hopla, completed on Thursday.  The time with Mr. Hopla far exceeded my expectations!

After a more than 12 year hiatus from joining any gym, this past Saturday I signed up and am now an official member of one of five new Orlando Magic Recreation Centers throughout Orange County, Florida.

The Orlando Magic, as part of the new arena development, donated the funds which were used to build the five rec centers across the county.  If the others are anything like the one I joined, I’ve gotta tell you they’re amazing!

The 24,000-square-foot facility includes a fitness room with cardio equipment (treadmills, bikes, elliptical), a weight room, locker room and showers, two classrooms which can be rented, concession stand and a 12,000-square-foot wood floor gymnasium.

Why I Joined

As you can probably tell if you’ve ever seen me in person or on one of the videos here on the site, I don’t really enjoy lifting weights. Just like some people can’t stand doing cardiovascular exercise, I’m not really keen on lifting heavy stuff over and over again.  Not saying I won’t do it in the future to get more prepared for MJ, but it’s not something I really enjoy.

I actually joined the rec center for one reason and one reason alone.  They have an indoor basketball court.

The center I joined, which opened just last month, actually has two full length courts, with nice wide glass backboards.   It’s beyond sweet!

Weather or not I play

The local weather had been killing my court time as of late.   Double rims are tough enough, but add to that cold temperatures, windy conditions and the occasional rain storm and the outdoor courts haven’t been the most desirable to work on my game.

About the only places around here with indoor courts are the local churches and schools.   With both they are opened to potential liability and the “if I let you in, I’ve got to let everyone in” kind of issue.

A Short Drive

I had hoped that I would be able to work something out at a local church just three minutes from my house, but I’m not actually a member there, so it really didn’t seem right to press it.

Instead I’ll make a 20-25 minute drive to the rec center when the local court wont suffice.  Not really a bad drive at all.   Did I mention there is a killer BBQ place 5 minutes away that serves up some lip smacking brisket?

Umm, What’s with ALL the Kids!?!?

The one downside for me is that kids 17 and under get in free.   While they do have times allotted for adult members only, I’m not really sure how much they are enforcing that right now.   A staff member did tell me that as memberships rise, they will be more strict about who is allowed on the court at what times.

At the end of the day, it is a great thing for the community and the kids.  I really wish I had a place like this when I was growing up.

My Rec Center Plan

I don’t really have a plan just yet.   I’d like to get over there a couple of times a week for some shooting/court work, on top of the playing twice a week.  It’s still early though, so we will see what actually happens.

All I can tell you is, I am beyond excited to have the opportunity to practice and play indoors!  I definitely need to ramp up my court time in preparation for my 1-on-1 match-up with the man, Michael Jordan!

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Road to 100 Free Throws in a Row (Update)

It’s been awhile since my last Road to 100 Free Throws update.   While I haven’t been going to the courts and shooting free throws religiously lately, I did see how many I could make Saturday after I signed up with the gym.

After getting in some shooting work, I made 16 in a row (what was my current best) and then missed.   I took a few more shots at different locations and then went back and made 17 in a row.   A bit later I set my current mark on the Road to 100 Free Throws at 21 in a row.

Still a long way to go, but I’m getting closer!  The gym/rec center time should without a doubt help!

*UPDATE: I made 27 Free Throws in a row this morning after this post came out.

I had just finished my final Impact Basketball workout on Saturday morning.

I thought about where I was just eleven months ago.  How I didn’t exercise.  How I had basically given up the game of hoops.  How I too often found myself searching for something more.

I couldn’t help but smile thinking about how far I’ve come.  How I’ve run over 500 miles this year.  How I’m in the best shape of my life.  How I began this journey on me vs. MJ.  How I just completed a week of the most intense and revitalizing basketball training of my life at Impact Basketball.

Life can be so unbelievably amazing if you allow it to be.

Impact Basketball

My time at Impact was truly one of the best weeks of my life.

Every day, every session, was a new adventure that I couldn’t wait to tackle.

Even following Friday evening’s workout, where I stood on the court wondering if my last meal would soon be all over the hardwood floor (will have video soon), I couldn’t wait to come back Saturday morning.

I absolutely LOVED every single moment of the experience.

A VERY BIG Thank You!

I can’t thank Matt Hiller of Impact Basketball enough for believing in my mevsMJ dream of playing Michael Jordan and for making all of this happen.  On top of the World class training he provided me, he is one of the kindest people I’ve ever known.  He didn’t treat me like a client, he treated me like a brother.

It was so refreshing to be around someone that is so passionate about what they do.  He is without a doubt doing what he is called to do.

I half jokingly told him that when I play MJ, he has to be there! Without a second thought he responded, “I’m there! You tell me when, and I’m there!”

I feel so extremely blessed!

Thanks Matt!

The Players and the Rest of the Crew

Gotta give a shout out to all the post grad and high school players at Impact!  Thanks for being supportive as well and for inspiring me to get better!  I pray that each of you make the most of your great opportunity and push forward each day with every ounce of your ability.

I can’t wait to see you guys play again when you come to Orlando!

Also wanna thank everyone else at Impact who helped me stretch, train, rebounded balls for me or filmed me during practice.  Much appreciated!!

Up Next

So what’s next for me?

Well, I’m happy to let everyone know that I plan on going BACK to Impact Basketball sometime in December for more training!!!

In the meantime, I will continue to work on my game and my conditioning.

Matt has been generous enough to offer to put together a nutrition plan and training program for me to continue while I’m training on my own.

All of this means one thing!  I’m getting better Mr. Jordan!  A lot better!!!

me vs. MJ…it’s getting clooooooooser

It’s Wednesday night in Sarasota.  I’ve made it through the first five sessions of my Impact Basketball training.  The first three days have been so much more than I ever could have expected!  I’m loving it!

My Impact Basketball Workout Schedule

For the last two days and for the remainder of my time with Impact Basketball (through Saturday), I begin each day with a morning workout session at 8am that usually lasts until 11:30am or so.  The morning session has consisted of court work and circuit training.

Following the morning workout, I head back to the hotel, eat, take a shower and sleep.  Yes, I’m that tired.

I then come back for an evening workout that begins at 5pm and usually runs till 6:30 or 7pm.

At this point, ever muscle in my body, including muscles I didn’t even know existed…ACHES!  I am extremely fatigued physically, but my spirit and mind are strong!  I am having the best time and trying to soak up every bit of it!

A TRUE Basketball Education!

I came into this experience thinking I knew quite a lot about the game of basketball.  Matt Hiller, who has been gracious enough to train me this week, is BLOWING my mind with his knowledge.  He is showing me things I never even thought of on the court and with enough practice, if implemented in my game, will make a HUGE difference!  I mean HUGE!

I’d give more details, but MJ might be reading…haha.

Me and Akeme

On Tuesday morning, Matt let me know that he’d bring in Akeme Smart to workout with me for my Wednesday morning session.  That turned in to me doing some one-on-one drills against Akeme and I was beyond excited!  All day Tuesday, anytime I would see Akeme or he would see me, one of us would say “Tomorrow!” as a call out to our upcoming battle.

Akeme is 7 foot 3 inches and 19 years old.  He’s gifted with endless potential and has been at Impact Basketball for around two months, working on his game.  On top of being a great player, he seems to be a great young man.

The Match-up (Me and Akeme)

What I thought would be a short session with Akeme, turned into around an hour or more of shooting drills and one-on-one drills.  This was beyond cool for me!

The guys at Impact were kind enough to bring in the cameras and record the session!

To my surprise, when I came back for my night session, the video had been edited and was ready to go!

Without further ado…here is a taste of what I’ve been doing at Impact Basketball!!!

Impact Basketball Training:  Me and Akeme Smart (video):

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Fd2rngCTOk

*Special thanks to Matt Hiller (Impact Basketball-Director of Player Development/My Trainer for the week) for setting this up and Akeme Smart for agreeing to workout with me.  Also, BIG thanks to Tom Carollo (Impact Basketball-GM/Academy Director) for shooting the video and doing such a great job editing this for me!! So thankful!!