Andy Gebru – me vs. MJ https://www.mevsmj.com Mon, 25 Feb 2013 11:49:57 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 What A Year! (2011 Recap) https://www.mevsmj.com/what-a-year-2011-recap/ https://www.mevsmj.com/what-a-year-2011-recap/#respond Tue, 27 Dec 2011 12:23:15 +0000 http://www.mevsMJ.com/?p=5225 2011 mevsMJ.com Recap

As the final days and hours of 2011 come to a close, I can’t help but reflect on my official slogan for this year, which was “Life is AMAZING, if you allow it to be!”

For me and my journey of playing Michael Jordan 1-on-1, 2011 was beyond amazing and for that I am so thankful!

Having said that, there were definitely some struggles over the last 365 days, but overall it was without a doubt more than I ever could have expected!

Here is a recap of all that was 2011 for mevsMJ.com!

-1st Quarter-

(January, February, March)

Looking back, January seems like years ago.  I began 2011 gaining my first 1-on-1 match-up win (Me vs. Scott Spencer) and feeling like my game was getting stronger and stronger.  Unfortunately then, but rather fortunately I suppose as I reflect now, I got injured on the next to last day of the month (Pop Goes The Dream) and was faced with painful rehabilitation that consumed the next eight weeks, testing me both physically and mentally.

During the rehab, even though I wasn’t playing, some great things still happened!

The very next day following my injury in the most surprising turn of events, I got some Jordan love! (Jeff Jordan promotes mevsMJ.com!)

Over the eight weeks of rehab I wrote 18 different posts including (Dear MJ:  My Letter to Michael Jordan).  Then exactly 62 days after the injury that left me devastated, I made my comeback in the last part of March against now Virginia Tech Hokies freshman Robert Brown, a good friend and the very first player to really believe in what I’m doing here on this site! (I’m Back!!!!)

-2nd Quarter-

(April, May, June)

I gave my life to the Lord when I was 23 years old (Yes, I’m a huge Jordan fan, but no, I didn’t plan that!)  I’ve sprinkled my faith over many of the posts I’ve written on this site and I mention that to say that I always feel that God has a plan for me.  During the injury I believed that and as I went through the second quarter of 2011, HE left me amazed as things began happening so quickly that I could hardly keep up!

Smith's "Jordan Typeface" design

April began with me meeting up with a talented young man named Ziarekenya Smith!  He had gained National accliam for his Jordan typeface, pictured to the right.  (God Inspired Designs)

From there, a simple hope filled email returned back to me, someone I now call a friend and mentor, Dave Hopla. (My time with Dave Hopla, World’s Greatest Shooter)

Then, still in April, I took on my first real professional basketball player, in what was the worst showing of my life! (Me vs. Garfield Blair)

May began with another no and then the biggest YES to date! (Nick Anderson Called Me!!!)

While nothing ever materialized with Nick, it was beyond cool having the former NBA player call me on MY cell phone!

Later in the month I had the blessing of getting to know and workout with then one of the top high school coaches in the country and now George Washington assistant coach, Kevin Sutton! (My First Workout with Coach Kevin Sutton!)

June came around, I played much better against my second professional player (Me vs. Andy Gebru) and had my third rematch with Robert Brown (Me vs. Robert Brown – Round 3).

-3rd Quarter-

(July, August, September)

The third quarter of 2011 kept up the momentum with me spending a little time with Tracy McGrady and even getting a shout out from T-Mac himself! (My Time with T-Mac)

On August 22nd, mevsMJ.com turned 1 year old. (me vs. Michael Jordan – 365 Days Later!)

In September I flew to Vegas for Impact Basketball’s Competitive League, where I told Chauncey Billups, John Wall, Rudy Gay, OJ Mayo, Corey Maggette, Jared Dudley and more about my journey to play Michael Jordan and almost had a shootout with NBA Sharpshooter Damon Jones! (Me vs. Damon Jones – The Shootout That Almost Was)

-4th Quarter-

(October, November, December)

In October I switched things up a bit and did my first video post (Where Are You Going?) so that everyone could actually hear me speak!  [Side note:  I often wonder how people sound when I’m reading their blogs/posts.]

A few days later, by reader request, I posted a video of me draining 22 of 24 from the 3 point line. (Is This Why NBA Guys Won’t Play Me??)  So pretty! 😉

Mid November, I began working harder and sweating more than I probably ever have in my life! (Me + B Meyer Training – The Man Behind Dwight Howard)

On Thanksgiving day, Eric Griffin and I helped one young man’s dream come true, in what was one of the most fulfilling moments of my life.  (Thanksgiving Day Dreams)

Then the moment I had been waiting for happened!

Michael Jordan KNOWS!!!

I‘m still blown away by what happened in the first moments of December, the last grouping of days of 2011!

In what played out like some scene from an inspirational movie, I met Michael Jordan! (Michael Jordan Knows About ME and mevsMJ.com!)

As I wrote when I began this post, LIFE IS AMAZING, IF YOU ALLOW IT TO BE!

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Through all that has happened on this journey, the part I never really anticipated is all of the great people that would come into my life and become true friends.

This mevsMJ.com walk has always been about truly believing that anything is possible with faith and hard work and I really feel that through 2011 that became more eveident than ever!

I’ve always believed in me vs. Michael Jordan and now I’m sure a few more people do too!  That’s a great thing!

For every person that has read a post, for each one of you that has believed in what I’m doing, for those who took time out of their life to help my dream come true, for those of you that I’m fortunate enough to call my friends, I say THANK YOU!

2011 was an unbelievable ride!

Off to 2012 we go!

me vs. MJ…the journey continues!!!!!  Thank you for following along!

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

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Why Some, Not All, Have The “No Doubt” Mindset https://www.mevsmj.com/why-some-not-all-have-the-no-doubt-mindset/ https://www.mevsmj.com/why-some-not-all-have-the-no-doubt-mindset/#comments Tue, 16 Aug 2011 11:23:08 +0000 http://www.mevsMJ.com/?p=4371 Read more]]>
No one doubted MJ, including himself, when he took a game winner!

Up 8-1 in game two of our 1-on-1 match-up, I looked into the eyes of professional hoopster Andy Gebru and saw no doubt.

In games which the majority expects me to lose, the pressure is always on the pro to perform and ultimately to win.

Yet down substantially in a game to just 15 points, Andy was surprisingly calm as if he and panic had never been introduced.

The Experience Factor

All that we have to draw upon in challenging times is our life experiences.  When it comes to basketball, Andy has far more of those than I do and honestly against a much higher level of competition than myself.

Because of those experiences, he was never worried IF he would win the game.  He knew he would.  He had no doubt.

That is so powerful!

Imagine Having No Doubt

Imagine having no doubt.  Imagine being so confident in your abilities that your only option is success!

Playing against me, that’s exactly what Andy feels.  After playing against him and other players that’s now how I feel when I play regular people like myself.

In my natural grouping of players I have no doubt.  I actually hadn’t lost a game of 1-on-1 since playing Andy back in June until this past weekend against my bro (he knows me like a book!).

How To Gain The “No Doubt” Mindset

So how do I gain that same no doubt mentality when I play against high level and pro players?

For me the answer is simply, continue to expand my scope by playing against the best as often as possible until the unknown is known.  Every time I step on the court against a guy who gets paid to play, that’s exactly what I’m doing.  I’m learning!  I’m getting closer to no doubt!  I’m getting prepared for Michael Jordan!

If you apply the same principals against the very best in whatever field or endeavor you’re in or pursuing, you too can gain the no doubt mindset!  You too can have success be your only option!

It may not come right away, but it will come.  Put in the work.  Challenge yourself.

Anything is very possible, but you must take the first step and place yourself in the position for your goals to be met!

me vs. MJ…my journey to play Michael Jordan continues!  As always, thank you for following along and for spreading the word!

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The Foundation for Greatness is in the Roadwork! https://www.mevsmj.com/the-foundation-for-greatness-is-in-the-roadwork/ https://www.mevsmj.com/the-foundation-for-greatness-is-in-the-roadwork/#comments Tue, 05 Jul 2011 11:23:35 +0000 http://www.mevsmj.com/?p=4097 Read more]]> The Foundation For Greatness Is Laid During The Road Work!
The Foundation For Greatness Is Laid During The Road Work!

No one sees me when I’m all alone on the court, soaked with sweat, searching for a breath, with the sadistically hot sun laughing above.

No one sees me when all that separates another repetition from quitting is the desire to improve alone.

No one sees me when I’m in the gym launching one shot after the other against imaginary defenders, preparing mentally for my next 1-on-1 match-up.

No one sees the blackened toe nails and bruises or feels the aching muscles and back.

The most anyone will ever see me do is play and in those moments the results of the work I’ve done when no one is watching will finally be evident.

“You can map out a fight plan or a life plan, but when the action starts, you’re down to your reflexes. That’s where your roadwork shows. If you cheated on that in the dark of the morning, well, you’re going to get found out now, under the bright lights.” – Joe Frazier (Former Heavyweight Boxing Champion)

That Joe Frazier quote is one of my all-time favorites. Being on this journey I’ve gained a much deeper appreciation for the amount of work that goes into being great at a given task.

Too often we credit someone’s success to what we perceive as an innate ability to do something and while that natural ability is a must to play hoops professionally, the countless hours spent polishing and perfecting the skill set when no one is watching will ultimately determine if anyone ever watches.

There is no part of me that enjoys pushing myself to exhaustion, running suicide after suicide.

It’s not enjoyable for me to dribble a basketball through my legs and behind my back over and over again with the hope that one day it will feel as natural as walking.

Doing those things and more, doing the roadwork, working on the weaknesses, isn’t fun. The reward for the hard work is sometimes months away, but when it all comes together, there isn’t a better feeling in the World.

From Robert Brown to Andy Gebru, Dave Hopla to Garfield Blair, the commonality amongst them all is their willingness to work extremely hard when no one is watching.

While playing is where the fun is found, they understand that playing in and of itself won’t get them to their finish line. I now understand that too.

I’ve had the blessing of being exposed to some amazing players and coaches on this journey of mine to play Michael Jordan and they’ve shared with me what it takes to get where they are.

While I will never reach their level of success in basketball, my goal is to make the most of this opportunity and to be the best basketball player that I can be.

So I run and shoot, I dribble and ache, and do my best to improve because I’m not at the top of my game yet.

My best may still be many days away, but it will come…that is, if I do the roadwork.

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If you’re new here, I set out in August 2010 to get a game of 1-on-1 vs. my childhood hero Michael Jordan.  This site is about that journey…through every valley, to every mountain top of triumph!

Anything Is Possible with Faith & Hard Work!

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Connect:  Twitter (@KennyEller) and mevsMJ.com Facebook Page.

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Me vs. Andy Gebru (Professional Basketball Player in Brazil) [Video] https://www.mevsmj.com/me-vs-andy-gebru-professional-basketball-player-in-brazil/ https://www.mevsmj.com/me-vs-andy-gebru-professional-basketball-player-in-brazil/#comments Tue, 21 Jun 2011 11:23:22 +0000 http://www.mevsmj.com/?p=3984 Read more]]> Me and Andy Gebru
Me and Andy Gebru

What do you do against a guy who was an all-conference player in college at Fayetteville State University?  What do you do against a guy who dropped close to 200 three pointers in his three years there and averaged over 16 points per game?

What do you do against a guy who is so good that he had a tryout with the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs prior to last season?

Andy Gebru
Andy Gebru scoring a basket for Sorocaba

What do you do against a guy who gets paid to play? A guy who will leave the States and head back to Brazil on July 5th to prepare for the upcoming season with professional team Sorocaba.

When you play against a professional hoopster like Andy Gebru, you say a prayer, tighten up the Jordans and give it everything you have!

How I Got The Game vs. Andy Gebru

I met Andy just days after my match-up with Garfield Blair.  I was shooting around in the gym alone and a young woman who works at the rec center and knows what I’m looking to accomplish, came in and told me about this guy who makes “everything” that he shoots.  I was a little skeptical as to her assessment until she said there are videos of him playing online, and that she thinks he plays overseas.  Interest peaked, I told her I’d love to meet him and she introduced us.

I told Andy what I was doing here at mevsMJ.com, from my goal to play Michael Jordan, to the training, to who I’ve played and that’s all it took for him to agree to be part of my journey and play me 1-on-1!

We didn’t play right away because it was his offseason and honestly I wanted to do everything I could to get better and have the best showing possible.

So over the last couple of months I’ve been at the courts quite a bit and my game has been improving.  At different times throughout my training, Andy was actually kind enough to show me quite a few “tricks of the trade” that make a huge difference in the game.

Lots of shooting, conditioning and just a deeper level of understanding for the game of hoops has parlayed into me doing extremely well in 1-on-1 match-ups with regular people like myself.

With Andy preparing to leave in just a couple of weeks, the time to play was this past Sunday!

Me vs. Gebru was upon me!

My Strategy vs. Gebru

In my couple of match-ups with high-level talent like Robert Brown and Garfield Blair, I’ve been overwhelmed.  The gap between top tier talent/pro level talent and myself and the people I play against aka “regular people” is wider and deeper than you can ever fully understand until you’re matched up against them.

Andy Gebru
Andy driving past a defender!

Recently, I think some of my friends have gotten a better idea as to the different levels of players, and my current ability, as I blistered one of my buddies 15-0, 15-1 in a 1-on-1 match-up and left another friend sending me a text the next day saying, “After playing you it puts into perspective how good he (Garfield) is!” after going in his eyes “15-20 from the three point line” in some two on two.

Despite where my game is, and I feel it’s vastly improved from just a month and a half ago, I knew playing Andy would be so much different.  I talked it over with my brother a couple of weeks ago and he came up with a strategy that was worth a shot.  As described in my recent post, Preparing For The Un-Expected, the goal was to grab any errant shots and sprint out to the three-point line and knock it down.

There were a lot of ifs that I wouldn’t know the answers to until the ball was checked in, but it basically would come down to me making shots (my strength), as opposed to slowing it up and trying to take a more skilled, more athletic, stronger player over and over again.

Without further ado…Me vs. Andy Gebru!

Me vs. Andy Gebru (Video):

httpvh://youtu.be/3O2k9U_pn9U

[If you are reading this via RSS/Email, click here for video.]

Game Scores

Game 1:  15-8 (Gebru)

Game 2:  15-10 (Gebru)

Overall Impressions

I guess it goes with out saying when someone gets paid to play basketball, but I’ll say it anyway, Andy Gebru can play ball!  He is amazingly skilled and crafty, using his hands and body better than anyone I’ve ever played against.  He’s also extremely patient with the ball, which has been a common trait amongst the top tier players.  He got the shots he wanted, not the shots I wanted him to take.

Andy Gebru
Andy showing his perfect form in college

Being able to shoot the ball like he can, and handle, and be in total control is a lethal combination, one that proved to be too much for me.

Still, I was excited by my performance!  I shot the ball well and even though I lost, I had a respectable showing against a professional basketball player!

Life is amazing, if you allow it to be! (my 2011 slogan!)

Thank You Andy!

I can’t thank Andy Gebru enough for agreeing to play me.  To be able to work hard on your game and then match-up with a guy like Andy, well, it just doesn’t get better than that!  I am beyond thankful!

On top of the games of 1-on-1, all of the lessons and tips he has given me over the past month and a half are priceless!  He is a true class act! I can’t wait to continue to work on implementing them into my game and seeing it all make a difference!

Thank you Andy!  Best of luck this upcoming season!

My Next Opponent??

I’m working on a few possible match-ups, but nothing yet confirmed.  If you’d like to play me or know someone that would be perfect for helping me continue to prepare for Michael Jordan, please email me or sign up here!

me vs. MJ…the fabulous journey continues!!!!

(Note:  If you’d like to see whom else I’ve played, click here.)

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The Most Successful Man I Know https://www.mevsmj.com/the-most-successful-man-i-know/ https://www.mevsmj.com/the-most-successful-man-i-know/#comments Thu, 16 Jun 2011 11:23:18 +0000 http://www.mevsmj.com/?p=3951 Read more]]> Dad, Me, My Brother
My Dad, Myself and my Brother in May of 1984

When I was a kid all I wanted to be was RICH! (Chris Rock’s voice and going forward anytime you see RICH, it’s in Chris Rock’s voice.)

Big house, nice car, lots of money…RICH!

My parents say that when I was just five years old we walked into a restaurant and I proclaimed, “Ooooh, this place is expenssis (how I said expensive back then)” as my eyes lit up with joy! (btw, it was Quincy’s haha, not so high end, but what did I know?  I was five!)

That childhood wonder and fascination with wealth followed me through my adolescence and early adulthood.

I was gonna be RICH and successful!  I had to be.  I remember being a teenager and watching the movie Pretty Woman starring Richard Gere and Julia Roberts, with my parents.  I knew then, that’s the guy I wanna be! (minus the hooker of course)

He was RICH!  He was successful!

That was going to be me!

Fast-forward to where I am today and the truth is I’m extremely blessed and beyond thankful for all that I have.  I think most would say that I’ve achieved some level of success, at least if they viewed success in the limited manner in which I once viewed it.

I learned something though, from those wonder years to my current profession of wealth management…being RICH (Chris Rock’s voice, don’t forget and I’m not btw) doesn’t make you successful.

What Makes Someone Successful

Throwing the baseball or football with your son after an all I want to do is sleep 65-hour workweek.

Buying a wide-eyed dreamer a pair of shoes (Jordans) that cost more than the last four pairs you owned yourself combined.

Taking the word “can’t” out of a kid’s vocabulary so early on that it’s one of his oldest memories.

Attending every basketball game, no matter the distance, even though the one you’re there to watch barely plays.

Putting up with the constant peppering of the orange Spalding ball against the driveway as that same kid worked his ass off to get better.

Giving up the living room television on odd weekday nights and weekends, no matter what you had planned on watching, so that your two sons could watch their hoops heroes.

Instilling a belief that all things are possible so deeply in the minds and hearts of those you helped raise.

Lending an ear and actually listening as long as a rambling kid can talk.

Offering sound advice with a sense of confidence that would make any person march forward!

Dropping everything to help plant bushes, hang fans, install lights, fix plumbing, assemble furniture, and even move.

Being available, ready and willing.

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY…Making sure that your two sons now 34 and 28 have felt loved every single day of their lives.

That’s success.

That’s my Dad, the most successful man I know.

Happy Upcoming Father’s Day Dad! Love ya!

You (and Mom) are the reason I am the believer and dreamer I am today!  Thank you!

(Note:  For inquiring minds, in the picture above my Dad was 32 yrs old, I was 7 and my brother was just 1. :-D)

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Me vs. Gebru! (THIS SUNDAY!!)

This Sunday it’s test time.  It’s time to see if I’ve improved since Garfield Blair and this time the test is going against 6’4” Andy Gebru (see video below), who prior to this past season had a workout with the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs and currently plays professional hoops in Brazil.

Everyone I run into that knows of Andy tells me the same thing, with that did you loose your mind face, “Andy’s really good!”

I just smile.  I know he’s going to be great!  That’s why we are playing.  There is nothing ordinary about this journey of mine to play Michael Jordan.  Not one thing!

me vs. MJ…time to put on that game face!

Video of Andy Gebru playing in Brazil:

Go to 1:56 to see him posterize a guy with the game on the line!

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdkfRfgvvaE

[If you’re reading via RSS/Email, Click Here to see video]

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Amazed By The Heat Hate (NBA Finals Look Back) https://www.mevsmj.com/amazed-by-the-heat-hate-nba-finals-look-back/ https://www.mevsmj.com/amazed-by-the-heat-hate-nba-finals-look-back/#comments Mon, 13 Jun 2011 14:09:14 +0000 http://www.mevsmj.com/?p=3931 Read more]]>

Amazed by the Miami Heat Hate
We have a chance to love, yet we choose to hate.

Congrats to the Mavs and their first Championship!  Well deserved!  Superbly played!

So many were beyond excited by the outcome of Sunday’s game and many weren’t even Dallas Mavericks fans.

No doubt the Mavericks bandwagon was filled beyond capacity here in the NBA Finals.  When there was no more room, not even one inch of space, people were still clawing and scratching just to get on board.  I have no issue with that whatsoever, as bandwagon jumping is a part of sports.

What I have an issue with is the WHY.

Typically teams attract “so called” fans late in the year based upon their play.  They pick up the sports fans who want to have a dog in the fight, as well as, some people who don’t even watch sports, but fall in the love with the drama that makes athletic competition at the highest level so fantastic.

All of that is cool.

What isn’t cool or acceptable is when HATE for another is the sole reason for which cheers and support are cast and given to the other team.

The Mavs had a lot of people in the “I HATE LEBRON JAMES, SO I WANT DALLAS TO WIN” category this year and that’s sad.

This series unfortunately became more about LeBron losing than Dallas winning.  More people were excited that LeBron didn’t play well than they were that Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Terry and JJ Barea played SO WELL.

Facebook and Twitter were ablaze with Mavs support from many that could tell you very little at all about the game of basketball, yet they all had one thing in common:  They HATE the Miami Heat and more importantly they HATE LeBron James.

When did rooting for someone to fail become acceptable?

When James did the decision?  When the Heat held the preseason celebration?

I would bet almost every one of us has left an employer for what we thought was a better opportunity.  We didn’t do “the decision” of course, but then again we don’t have the voice.

You know, I can’t recall one letter of hate mail or even one negative comment thrown my way when I went from one bank to another over eight years ago.

The preseason celebration, not the best idea, but it is what it is.  The city of Miami and the fans were ecstatic!  They held a celebration because the city, players and organization were excited!

Shame on them I guess.

We don’t do such things of course, unless you count tweeting and facebooking (including pictures) every single great thing that happens in our lives.  We don’t hold an official “celebration” because again we don’t have the voice, but if we did, well just look at your “facebook wall” and tell me what you think would happen.

FACT:  LeBron James is not perfect.

But guess what, neither are we.

I know if I had to endure what James is going through, the good days and for most of this past year, the bad.  If I was followed around with cameras and asked tough questions over and over again.  If every little thing I did or didn’t do was judged by the masses, it would be tough, and I would MAKE MISTAKES.

Honestly, I make mistakes all of the time.

TRUTH:  We ALL make mistakes.

Matthew 7:5 of the Good Word says,  “You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

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Sunday night, amongst family and friends, I was rooting for LeBron James like never before.  I was rooting for the 26 year old young man with the weight and hate of the majority on his shoulders.  I wanted to see him smile, because I haven’t in quite some time.  I wanted him to feel joy, but more importantly I didn’t want him to feel anymore hate.

Enough is enough.

LeBron James has shown he isn’t perfect.

Unfortunately, we have also shown how equally imperfect we are as a society.

It’s time for us all to grow up.

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me vs. MJ aka Michael Jordan Update:

MJ has yet to agree to play me 1-on-1 (if anyone reading this knows Mr. Jordan, please tell him I’m looking for ’em…haha), but I’m still working hard and getting better every day.  I’m really hoping that all of the work translates to the court when I play my next opponent, professional hoopster, Andy Gebru later this week.

Pray for me! I may need every single one of your prayers! 😀

me vs. MJ…the journey continues!  As always, thank you for following along!

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Preparing For The Un-Expected! https://www.mevsmj.com/preparing-for-the-un-expected/ https://www.mevsmj.com/preparing-for-the-un-expected/#comments Thu, 09 Jun 2011 11:23:27 +0000 http://www.mevsmj.com/?p=3909 Read more]]> Andy Gebru
Andy Gebru (My next 1-on-1 Opponent)

With my fingertips still emitting small flames from being on FIRE the previous two games of 1-on-1 against my brother, I got down in my defensive stance and began preparing for the unexpected.

I had just won two games against him handedly and was extremely tired, but this was not the time to rest.  This was the time to test myself.

With less than two weeks until my next match-up with professional basketball player, Andy Gebru, this was the time to get better.

Standing at the top of the arc, behind the NBA three point line, my brother lobbed the ball up near the rim, trying to miss.  As it ricocheted low and hard towards the sideline, I was in an all out sprint trying to catch up, with him in close pursuit.  Just as the ball reached the three-point line, I grabbed it, planted my foot, turned and launched all in one motion with my younger sibling flying right at me.

Clanggggg!!  I missed.

With a raised brow he looked at me and said, “You’ve got to make those,” as we walked back to the center of the court for attempt number two.

Basketball in the air, this time it kicked in the opposite direction, sprint, grab, plant, turn, shoot!

No clang this time.  No make either.  He got a finger on it for the block.

Back to the center.

Sprint, grab, plant, turn, shoot!

Nothing but net!

Back to the center we went….

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Preparing for a pro is unlike anything I’ve done before in my life.  I’m giving up size, skill, athletic ability and all that goes along with youth.  At the end of the day, they are pros for a very, very good reason:  They are unbelievably GOOOOOOD!

A pro player is so much better than the average basketball player.  The degree of difference between the two can never fully be comprehended unless you’ve done what I’ve done and handed the ball to a guy who does balling fulltime and tried to stop them.

It can be flat out embarrassing.

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Sprint, grab, plant, turn, shoot!

Bucket!

Back to the center….

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I was not prepared when I played Garfield Blair.  Didn’t know people could be that good at something.  That’s the transparently honest truth.

After we played, he told me, “I knew you’re strong suit was shooting….”

He had watched the videos of me playing and shooting on here.  He had scouted me like any pro player would!

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Sprint, grab, plant, turn, one dribble to the right, shoot!

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Andy Gebru will DO EVERYTHING possible to take me out of my comfort zone when we play.  His goal will be to force me to my weakness.  To crowd me.  To not allow me to get my feet set.  To try and overwhelm me with all of what makes him a professional.

That’s why you could have found me hoisting tough shot after tough shot last Saturday morning with my brother.  Until the unexpected is expected, until the uncomfortable feels like paradise, I must work.

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Sprint, grab, plant, turn, quick dribble to the left, step back, shoot!

####

Andy’s seen me shoot.  He’s seen me play.  He knows my game.

Or does he?

Let the countdown ensue.  Me vs. Gebru is just days away!

Sprint, grab, plant, turn,….

####

EXCITING NEWS!!!!!

mevsMJ.com featured on Basketball 24/48/82 and BasketballBuzz.ca!!!

BIG, HUGE, GINORMOUS, THANK YOU to Tim David Harvey for doing a great write up on me and mevsMJ.com called “Fight Mike”!  You can check it out here at Basketball 24/48/82 and BasketballBuzz.ca!!!

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Man On A Mission! https://www.mevsmj.com/man-on-a-mission/ https://www.mevsmj.com/man-on-a-mission/#respond Thu, 26 May 2011 11:23:41 +0000 http://www.mevsmj.com/?p=3771 Read more]]>
Me and Kevin Sutton!!

Yesterday morning as the second hand eased past the number twelve and pushed time forward to 11:26am, I officially began my 34th year of life.

Yes, yesterday was my birthday!

I finished year 33 on Tuesday, with an intense two-hour workout at “the lab” with the acclaimed Kevin Sutton.  Meeting him has truly been a blessing that extends far beyond the game of basketball!

On the nearly one hour long drive home, I reflected on the year, all of the wonderful things that have happened and all of the blessings still yet to come.

This journey, my journey to face my childhood hero Michael Jordan 1-on-1, has truly been the most amazing experience of my life and I’m just nine months into it.

HEART

This road has shown me an up close, in your face, bring tears to your eyes, look into the hearts of others.

I knew when I began mevsMJ.com that it would take Faith, Hard Work and YOU.

I just never could have imagined the capacity to which others have to give of themselves for ME.

My brother told me just yesterday, “You have a whole group of people behind you, helping you and looking out for you!  It’s really, really cool!”

I couldn’t agree more!

It seems like just yesterday that I was sitting in the living room with my buddy Karol discussing my HUGE DREAM.  Fast forward over a year and a half later and I’ve been able to experience a plethora of special events!  More importantly, I’ve been able to see the goodness of people like no other time before!

I am humbled and feel so extremely blessed!

THANK YOU each and every single one of you for every comment, text, tweet, email, phone call, connection, assurance, support, your time, your love and your heart.

You’ve left a grown man with the urgency to be better.  Thank you for believing in ME!

M.O.A.M.!!!

With things beginning to happen at a much more rapid pace these days, I’m more focused than ever.  Pushing myself harder than ever.  Attempting to squeeze every drop of potential out of myself in my preparation for the man, Michael Jordan.

The last couple of weeks of training have showed me how much I need to pick up the pace and I’m ready for it!

I’m a MAN ON A MISSION!

As always, thank you for following along!

A Preview Of My Next 1-on-1 Opponent (Video)

Sometime in late June I will take on my next 1-on-1 opponent, Andy Gebru, as I continue to face the very best on my road to MJ!

Andy played professionally in Brazil for Sorocaba this past season.

I will detail more on Mr. Gebru in a later post.

For now, check out the video!  Andy is the one soaring through the air!!!!!

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qyABNaMXRk

[If you are reading this through email or RSS the video may not show up.  Click here to view!]

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