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!

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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,….

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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!!!