The USA Today asked eight of the top high school players in the country, all in attendance for Saturday’s Jordan Brand Classic, what they thought the final score would be if they played MJ 1-on-1.

Three of the eight ACTUALLY SAID THAT THEY WOULD WIN against MJ in his PRIME!

Which got me to thinking….

I’d dominate MJ too!

• In cooking
• Singing (OK, that might be a push…I don’t sing very well)
• NBA 2K13
• Running long distances (I’ve ran two half marathons)
• Writing
• The Rubik’s Cube (I’ve got skills)
• Dancing (Sorry MJ, I’ve seen the video)

• Instagram

• Drinking Iced Tea

The list goes on and on and on….

BUT…one thing I wouldn’t dominate MJ in, THEN OR NOW, is the game of basketball.

Like I told Michael’s son Marcus…“I most likely wouldn’t even score…” and that was in reference to the 50-year-old Jordan.

I may be ambitious enough to create this site, to train and to travel, all with the goal of playing MJ 1-on-1, but I’m not crazy!!!!!

Now, Barack Obama on the other hand…he wouldn’t touch the ball against me!!  (2 for 22 video…ouch!  I can help you with your shot Mr. President.)

1 Game – me vs. Michael Jordan – Anything Is Possible with Faith & Hard Work!

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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.

My shoulder hurts.  The right one.  The one I’ve used over and over again during my life to make thousands upon thousands of shots.

It’s painful.  I’ve never been stabbed, but if I were to guess what that feels like; it would be how my shoulder feels most of the time these days when I shoot the basketball.  Sharp stings.

The cause, I can only trace back to the large stacks of push-ups I did on a nightly basis during the NBA playoffs.  Not the brightest thing I’ve ever done.  I’ve had massages, treatments and have done my best to stay away from the courts as much as possible over the last two months, in an attempt to let it heal.  But I missed the game.

This week I said hello again to the game I love.

***

Thursday evening, after an hour and a half of makes and misses wrapped in pain, I sat down and talked some basketball history with a friend at the rec center.  We talked about MJ of course.

It was my third trip to the courts in the last four days.

Each day a bit better than the one before it, I could see my shot beginning to shine more and more and resemble its former self as I polished away.

After 20 or so minutes of conversation, I got up and asked my friend, “How many makes in a row before I leave today?”

He spat back, “10…wait, are you talking free throws?”

I said, “No man, threes!”

“You can’t make 10 threes in a row,” he quipped.

I shook my head at his lack of belief and responded, “OK, you just sit there and watch.”

44 Minutes

I honestly expected it to take me less than five minutes for me to make 10 three pointers in a row.

A few months ago, making 10 from downtown was easy earned.  I won’t say easy, because that would be a lie.  I’ve earned the right to make shots through tons of repetition.  It was never easy.

After just two or three minutes I was up to 8 in a row.

Miss.

Make, make, make, make, make…miss.

This pattern continued for the next 44 minutes as I shot one ball after the other.

Soaked with effort down through my socks, legs tired, arm fatigued, shoulder smarting, quitting without a doubt crossed my mind.

The thoughts, who would know or care if you stopped now and it’s ok to quit because you should take it easy on your shoulder, said hello.

But I refused to quit and kept shooting.

Then it finally happened.  14 makes in a row later I had accomplished my goal.

Where You Find Success!

Success isn’t as hard to find as people say it is.  It’s found right behind faith and a lot of hard work.

If you want success, just do what you say you’re going to do!

It won’t be easy.  But it’s possible!

While I was shooting, two others joined me in the task of making 10 three pointers in a row.  They were both really good shooters and one of them even got to 9 in a row once.  But they both quit before realizing the goal.

Today I know that I was the best shooter in that gym…and so do they.  That’s a HUGE difference in mindset and it comes by DOING or the lack there of.

The Magic is Within You!

A great friend of mine, Robert Brown, has a saying.  He says, “It’s no magic trick.  If you work hard you’ll be better.”

He’s right.  The magic is within you!

Two Things That You Control Today, That WILL Change Your Tomorrow

Success comes down to what you believe and the effort you put forth.

You control both of them.

Now you don’t get to control much in life, but you do control what you believe and how hard you work!

Belief

I consistently and constantly feed myself encouragement.

It’s going to be a great day!  I will be blessed in my business!  I am a great shooter!  I am a great writer, I am a great speaker, and on and on and on!

Now I want to improve in all things, but I feel that I’m destined for greatness!

That’s not being cocky.  That’s living your purpose!

You have to see it to believe it!

You have to believe it before you can achieve it!

Hard Work

Then I take that faith and belief and work really, really hard.

I keep going when others stop, because I’ve already seen my success!

I know I just need to have faith and keep working hard!

Michael Jordan and My Dream

Before I shook hands with Michael Jordan and told him about mevsMJ.com, I saw it happen!

I’ve seen the 1-on-1 game with MJ!

I’ve seen myself speaking to thousands, encouraging young and old what I believe, that Anything Is Possible with Faith & Hard Work!

I’ve seen lives changed!

What Do You See?

Whatever your mevsMJ.com is, I know it’s possible!

You’ve just got to have faith and you’ve got to work hard!

It’s waiting for you!

I will play Michael Jordan and impact lives!  What are you going to do?

me vs. MJ…the journey continues!

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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!

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

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!

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.

As requested by Jerome in the comments of my post on Tuesday, Where Are You Going?, here is video of me shooting some three pointers this morning.  Hope you enjoy!

Remember, most people stop chasing the DREAM because they realize that the DREAM has a very close friend named HARD WORK! Don’t be afraid to work!

me vs. Michael Jordan…the journey continues!!

OK, it’s been forever since I’ve played anyone 1-on-1 (June 21^st actually) and while I had hoped to have numerous games between then and now, almost every single thing I had lined up fell through.

On top of that, for the last couple of weeks I’ve felt like I’m running in mud, so last week I FINALLY decided to shut down all basketball/exercising and REST.

I needed it.

The good news is I’m feeling much better now!

New Opponents On The Way!

I have lined up two new 1-on-1 match-ups, with the first of the two being on September 25^th.

The first opponent has 8 inches of height and 85 pounds on me, so it should be interesting to say the least!

Stay tuned!

Conditioning PLEASE Come Back!

Due to a rather heavy work load at the job that pays and the fact that I haven’t felt well, it had been a couple of weeks since I had done any real conditioning (outside of playing some pick-up ball).

Now feeling better, I was eager to get back at it and Monday I did.

Unfortunately, I found myself able to complete just six suicides (see right) before taking a seat on the bench.  Surely a far cry from the 20 I could do previously.

Not deterred I’ve stayed with it and have actually already eclipsed my previous mark and now am up to 21 (40 sec or less with 20 sec break)!!!

I’ve also begun doing some light jump rope work, which I hope will improve my foot quickness.

100 Free Throws In A Row (Update)

After not picking up a ball for days, I made my way back to the court on Tuesday night and got some shooting work in.  After initially feeling like a distant cousin, my shot came back in a big way as I completed my workout with 100 three pointers, including the last 13 in a row!

Then yesterday morning I got to the gym nice and early to get some running and shooting in and stepped up to the line to set a new Personal Record for free throws in a row at 45!

That leaves me still 55 short of my goal of 100 Free Throws in a row, but I’m getting closer and that’s exciting!

Follow, Like, Subscribe and Watch!!  (See Below ↓ )

If you look below, you will see four clickable links in a yellow box that I want you to click if you haven’t already!

*If you’re on Twitter, follow me, say hello, let’s connect and I’ll follow back (unless you tweet 8,000 times a day).

**I have a mevsMJ.com Facebook page.  Please LIKE it, if you enjoy what I’m doing here!

***In case you didn’t know, you can actually SUBSCRIBE and get every single new post sent directly to your email address!  You’ll never miss another post!

****Lastly, I have a mevsMJ.com YouTube page where you can watch every single one of my 1-on-1 match-ups thus far!

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Back to work I go!  Thanks for every bit of support!  I appreciate you all!

me vs. MJ…the journey continues!

I stepped to the line, planted my right foot directly behind the tac the same way I had done the previous 27 times, took one dribble, found the valve, took the shot, held the follow through and heard the net pop for my 28^th free throw in a row.

If you were at the gym yesterday morning that is what you would have seen watching me shoot.

This is what you couldn’t have seen:

My breathing sporadic and shortened, my heart rate slightly increased.  I need to calm down.  Is my hair sticking to my forehead?  I’m just seven shots from being able to call Dave Hopla and tell him I have a new free throw record!  This ball is sticky.  Stay calm Kenny.  You’ve got this.  Don’t be nervous.  Psshhh, nervous.  Just shoot it like normal.  Hold your follow through.  Don’t be flat.  Give the ball a chance to go in.  Come onnnnn.

It’s transparency time.  I’ve been stuck at 34 free throw makes in a row for almost two months now and it has become mental at this point.

Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve gotten to 26, 22, 27, 33, 25, 28 and so on and then I’ll miss one free throw and go right back to making them again.

Oh, by the way, going back to how this post began, I missed my 29^th free throw yesterday morning.

I’ve tried to keep what Mr. Hopla said in mind and just focus on the current moment, the current shot, but every time I get within a couple of shots of my current record (34 in a row) the weight of the moment gets the better of me.

The funny thing is, I KNOW there is absolutely NO PRESSURE on me.  I know that what I’m feeling is self-inflicted, yet it still happens.

I told a friend the other day about my struggle and they suggested a simple solution consisting of this:  Just don’t be nervous.

Hmmm, they are right, it’s just not quite that easy…at least not right now.

I felt the same way, the same nervous energy or my leg itches nonsense, when my record was 16 in a row at some point last year and through work, 16 is now like me drinking a cup of coffee in the morning…it’s almost automatic.

Ahhh, THROUGH WORK!

Due to work, aka the job that pays me, and the gym being used for AAU tournaments, I haven’t been able to get in as much basketball work as I would have liked over the last two weeks, so it’s time to do something about it.

In an effort to assassinate this mental block of mine, I will be at the gym EVERY SINGLE MORNING this week when it opens.  I will then put in a minimum of 1 hour each day shooting free throws.

It’s time to set a new record.

It’s time to get over this mental blockage.

It’s time to get past 34 and get closer to my goal of 100 Free Throws in a row!!

Mental block…soon I will tell you, Adios!!

Wish me luck!

Nick Anderson Update:

There has been no official date or time set for my meeting with Nick Anderson.  We have exchanged a few texts (crazy right?!?!) and hope to have a meeting time set shortly.  As soon as something is set, I’ll make a BIG UPDATE!

Thanks for reading and for your support!

With pizza slices the size of my head and two large bowls of Italian wedding soup in front of us, the greatest basketball shooter in the World sat across from me in a small Italian restaurant located in Naples, Florida, looked at me with his intense sky blue colored eyes and said…

“If you want to be the greatest shooter in the world it’s simple.  You’ve got to do two things.  First, you’ve got to shoot with correct form.  Then you have to shoot the ball correctly more times than anyone else in the world.”

In full ShamWow mode, trying to soak up every bit of knowledge, I nodded my head in agreement and took another bite of pizza.

It sounded so simple.

We were almost three hours in to our meeting and to this point the man sporting Jordan gear from head to toe had made everything seem so simple.  I suppose I should have expected as much, as he is without debate the very best at what he does.

Only one person can have other people, NBA people, refer to them as the best shooter in the universe and that man is Dave Hopla.

What Future NBA Hall of Famers Say:

Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers

“I never miss an opportunity to work with Dave.  He’s the best in the business.”

Ray Allen, Boston Celtics

“Dave has not only helped my shooting, but he improved my overall game.  He has given me the confidence in all phases of my game.”

The Stats to Prove It (Dave Hopla’s Personal Records):

• 1234 free throws in a row.
• 211 high school 3-pointers in a row.
• 181 college 3-pointers in a row.
• 78 NBA 3-pointers in a row.

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The Man That Makes Over 98% Of His Shots!

For Hopla who played college ball in Nebraska before playing professional basketball overseas and in the CBA, he wasn’t always the greatest shooter.  It’s something that he has worked on for the better part of his life.

Encouraged at the age of 16 by a coach, while at a basketball camp, Dave began tracking every shot he took.

Now 53 years old, he can flip through one of 58 notebooks and tell you the percentage of every free throw, off the dribble jumper, college three pointer, NBA three pointer, etc. that he took on any given day over the last 37 years!

That kind of shooting prowess led him to start Dave Hopla Shooting Clinics in 1987, where he goes around and teaches his mastery of shooting all over the world as a shooting instructor and motivational speaker.

It also landed him an assistant coaching job with the NBA’s Toronto Raptors and then Washington Wizards from 2005-2009.

Want Stats?

In 2004 he made 98.89% of his shots!  In 2005 he shot a blistering 98.20%, making 35,332 of 35,979 shots!

During the summer of 2007 he attended 31 camps where he shot 99.19% (11,093 of 11,183)!!  A further breakdown will show you that Dave was 260 for 281 from the 3-point line for a percentage of 92.52% and on three occasions he was perfect from the field (263 of 263 on 6/25 at the University of Maryland, 339 of 339 on 7/28 at the CT Starters camp and 272 of 272 on 8/2 at UCLA) during his lecture.

Oh yeah, I forgot, he gives his motivational speech WHILE HE IS SHOOTING!!!!!

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How I Got To Meet The Master

While down in Miami a couple of weeks ago, I saw a tweet from the NBA that said, “When you’re training in the offseason, do you keep a log of how many shots you make?  Why you should.”  Lounging on the bed in the hotel room at the time, I clicked the link, read the title “The Man Who Doesn’t Miss Shots”, perked up and read thoroughly.  Within 30 seconds my jaw was scraping the floor.  My mind was telling me this couldn’t possibly be true.

“Could someone be this great?” I asked myself, still filled with doubt.

I’ve always considered myself and my brother (159 free throws in a row) really good shooters (I now think of myself as a great shooter in the making…more on this later), so to read that someone hardly ever misses seemed a bit far fetched.  To read that someone could give a speech and shoot AND make every single shot, seemed undoable!

I know basketball.  It’s what I’ve done more than anything else in my life and anyone who’s every played with me will tell you that I can shoot the ball.

I went into a trance and began searching for every single thing I could find on Dave Hopla.  I had to know more.

After reading several articles and watching a couple of videos I was amazed.  It was like someone had just proven to me that Santa Claus is REAL!

I went to Dave’s website and sent him an email on April 6th, explaining my goal here at mevsMJ.com and my wish to work with him.  Pleasantly to my surprise, he responded right back.  Within a couple of hours we were on the phone discussing when we could meet.  He just happened to be coming down to Florida seven days later and said that he would give me a call when he got in and make some time for me then.

I was so excited!  So thankful for such a blessing!  This was BIG!

I called my brother and told him of Hopla and his shooting percentages, to which he responded, “No way! What’s he tracking lay-ups!”

I understood his lack of belief.  I had felt the same way before I read numerous NBA players singing his praise.  Before I saw him make 17 consecutive NBA three pointers in 60 seconds (video below).

It did truly seem like some sort of tall tale from back when we were kids, yet it wasn’t.

A week later, like clockwork, Dave Hopla called and asked if I could make it down to Naples on Friday, the 15th.  A quick check of my calendar and I enthusiastically said, “YES!”

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I arrived at the compound (the friend’s property he and his family were staying at was truly amazing) around 8:45am, about 15 minutes early, only to find Dave waiting at the gate, notepad in hand.

I parked my car down Pistol Pete Lane (seriously, how cool is that!) got out, thanked Dave again for meeting with me, and the lessons began.

We entered the gym and he placed his notepad down, to which I asked, “Is that where you track all of your shots?”

He confirmed that it was one of many and asked me for any date.  I gave him May 25^th, to which he said with a smile, “That’s your birthday right.”

A little surprised, I said yes and he explained that birthdays are what most people give.

He quickly flipped through the notebook until he got to May 25^th 2010.  There on a page of notebook paper were diagrams detailing where he shot on the court and a lot of numbers.  On that day in May, Dave made 295 of 314 shots for a percentage of 93.94%…an off day for him.

He then grabbed a basketball and took me through his form shooting routine that he does before every workout.  It consists of starting with one hand (shooting hand) a few feet from the basket and making five shots before moving back a couple feet and making five more and so on.  Dave’s last five shots come from the NBA three-point mark.  He then adds the support hand and goes through the same routine.

The key in the above is adding the principles below:

• Toes to Target: make sure your toes are pointing to the basket.
• Feet shoulder-width apart.
• Form the letter L with your shooting arm.
• Wrinkle the wrist: the skin on your wrist should wrinkle up when you cock it.
• Bend and extend your legs.
• Make sure your elbow is above your eyebrow.
• Hand to the hoop.
• Freeze the follow-through.

With eyes that couldn’t believe what they were seeing, I watched Dave make shot after shot with one hand, most of them nothing but net, while he was talking to me.  He then continued the same shooting dominance adding his support hand.  It was mind boggling to me.

The Mind of the Greatest Shooter

As you may know, I’m working to make 100 free throws in a row before 10/21/2011.  Thus far I’m up to 34 makes in a row and one of the things I was most interested in with Dave was the mental aspect of being able to stay focused and calm while trying to stay perfect.

I explained to him that when I get close to whatever my current high is, I can feel the weight of every shot increase.  I have to calm my breathing down, etc.

He said that he just thinks about each individual shot, whether it’s the first one or the 500^th in a row.  He told me to not think about the next one, because you won’t get to the next one if you don’t make the current shot.

He then told me to step to the line and, “let’s see what you’ve got.”

Shooting Free Throws In Front Of The Best

I stepped to the line, took a couple of dribbles and made my first three free throws.  I really wasn’t that nervous because I know I can shoot the ball.  Still, there was definitely the feeling of I BETTER MAKE THESE going through me.

I missed my fourth and Dave went into correction mode.

He asked me, “How do you know where to line up at the free throw line?”

I didn’t really know.  I just lined up and shot.

He then stepped to the line and showed me the Tac, which is at the center of every free throw line and explained that he lines up there so that he knows he’s in the same spot each and every time.

He then asked, “What do you look at when you shoot the ball?”

Now I know that many people either look at the front or back of the rim when they shoot, but I honestly have never really focused on either.  So I told him the truth, that I didn’t really know what I looked at, I just shot the ball.

It was the right answer, kind of!

He said if you focus on the front of the rim, you’re focusing on being short on your shot and if you focus on the back of the rim you’re focusing on being long on your shot.  He told me to focus on the center of the basket because that’s where I wanted the ball to go.

He then showed me where he places his shooting hand on the ball.  He explained that there are several center points on an NBA basketball, one of them being the valve.  So every time he’s shooting free throws the valve is between the index and middle finger of his shooting hand.  This ensures that his hands are properly aligned each and every shot.

I stepped back to the line, “Toe, Tac, Target, Find the valve” and began firing away, getting encouragement and reminders to freeze my follow through, along the way.

After a couple of hours and numerous shooting lessons and stories we headed to lunch, where we discussed my journey to play Michael Jordan and the progress thus far, as well as his experience working with many NBA greats.

It was as if I had known Dave Hopla for years.

####

Shooting Contest (Me vs. Hopla!)

We came back from lunch and I wanted to get a picture with him before I set off back home, so he asked his wife if she would take a picture of us back at the court.  She said of course and while she was completing what she was doing, we went back to the gym to shoot around.

Actually we had a shooting contest!

Dave picked five spots on the court from 15-17 feet (the same five the NBA uses for the 3-point contest) and instructed that in order to move from the first spot to the next, you’d have to make five shots in a row.  The first to complete this, make the 25 shots, would win.

He said I could go first.

Now keep in mind, we had just come back from an hour and a half lunch and had done no stretching or warming up whatsoever!

I took my first shot and it clanked off the rim.  Not good.  After seeing Dave shoot in person, I knew I wouldn’t get many chances.

Luckily for me, he missed his first shot too!

With relief, I stepped up and attempted to capitalize, but missed my second shot as well.

Game Over.

Dave stepped up and made 25 in a row!  One shot right after the other, in rapid succession.  I was passing the ball to him and laughing at the same time, it was unreal!

Who does that with no warm up shots?  Dave Hopla does.

Not thoroughly beaten enough, I asked for more.  So Dave said ok, we’ll do the same five spots from three-point land (I of course still had to make the 25 15-17 footers before I got to the 3-pt line).

He took the ball and missed his first three pointer.

I made two or three in a row from spot number one and then he caught fire.  He finished me off with 20 consecutive makes from three point range.  I was still stuck at spot numero uno.

Dave’s wife came in about that time and took our picture.  I told her that I almost had him beat, to which she kinda of gave me a very polite YEAH RIGHT look…haha!

Still in awe, he asked me if I wanted to do another contest.  I of course said yes!

This time we would shot from the same ten spots, but in order to move to the next you had to swish the shot, nothing but net.  If the ball even grazed the rim, you lost possession of the ball.

I again started first and quickly found myself down five shots.

Then it happened.  I dialed it in and got on a roll.

I made 6 shots in a row, all swishes, nothing but net, including four three pointers!  I was getting perfect passes and being cheered on and encouraged by Dave Hopla, the very best in the world!!

It was so surreal!

In the end I lost that one too, but I had a blast!

I said my goodbyes and with a “I can’t believe that just happened” feeling running throughout me, I got in my car and headed home so incredibly thankful.

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So Much More Than The Best Shooter In The World

Dave Hopla is far more than the best shooter in the World.  In the five or so hours we spent together, not only did he give me a clinic in shooting, he left me with many life lessons.  Lessons that I will apply to my daily living.  Lessons that will impact all of those around me.  For that, I am truly thankful.

I’ve been saying for a couple of months that life truly is amazing if you allow it to be.  Meeting Dave Hopla is an example of just that.  An email led to a phone call, which led to a meeting, which led to a friendship.

The amount of time and kindness shown to me on his VACATION blew me away.  That amount of generosity and selflessness truly makes me want to be a better human.

He is without doubt one of the nicest and kindest people I’ve ever met.

Thank you Mr. Dave Hopla!

Tracking My Shots!

The next morning, now back at home, I got into the local gym around 8:30am and tracked every single shot.

453 makes out of 600 shots (not a planned number) for a percentage of 75.5%. (click here to see breakdown of shots)

While my numbers are far from Hopla-esque, I found much joy in the experience.

I could hear Dave rooting me on.  “Toe, Tac, Target!”, “Never hit the front of the rim, give the shot a chance!”, “Way to shoot the ball!”

When he teaches, the impact that’s made is called the Hopla Effect.

The Hopla effect was definitely made on me and that’s bad news for my upcoming opponents! (Are you reading this MJ? ;-))

The Great One Checking In

Over the past week Dave has checked in with me a couple of times through text or phone call to hear about my progress.  I told him that I am tracking every shot and that people are looking at me funny, but that they just don’t understand.

He offered another lesson:

“In order to be great, you have to be different.  Otherwise you will be average or good at best.  Keep charting shots.”

Greatness, here I come!!

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Dave Setting Records and Teaching! (Videos):

Dave Setting the Record for Most NBA 3 Pointers made from the corner in 1 minute with one ball and one passer:

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

Dave Breaking the World Record for most Free Throws with one ball and one passer in 1 minute (25 makes in a row):
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2_T3ivNKfs&feature=related

Dave Hopla Free Throw Instruction:

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TOUBG1kCJg&feature=BFa&list=PL3F39FC6A9E51C062&index=2

[If you’re reading this via email or RSS feed the videos may not show up.  Click here to view.]

Some Of My Favorite Hopla-isms

During our time together Dave said many things that stuck with me.  These are a few of my favorites!

“No one remembers pretty good, so be great!”

“Anyone can make shots. I want swishes!”

“You hear everyone saying that took this many shots.  Who cares about shots?  I care about makes!”

“I don’t call them rebounders, I call them passers.  Rebounder refers to you missing.  I plan on making every shot!”

More on Dave Hopla

If you’d like more information on Dave Hopla, you can check out his website, www.DaveHopla.com.  You can also follow Dave on Twitter.

iHopla Coming Soon!!

Dave is in the process of bringing everything he’s done for the last 37 years and turning that into an iPhone application called iHopla.  He hopes to have it available to everyone looking to be GREAT very soon!

I’ve seen how it’s going to look and I can’t wait!!

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

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If you’re new to the site, 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! 

I’ve been excited to announce this to everyone and late last night I got the confirmation.

It’s BIG!

Tomorrow morning I will have something in common with Michael Jordan!!!

Tomorrow I take the NEXT GIGANTIC STEP in my preparation to play the greatest basketball player in the world, Michael Jordan…by working with the greatest basketball shooter in the world, Dave Hopla!!!

Dave Hopla (The Greatest Basketball Shooter in the World!)

Imagine making more than 98% of the shots you take! (In 2007 Hopla, who writes down the results of ever shot he takes, made 99.19% making 11,093 of 11,183)

Envision draining 1,234 free throws in a row without a miss.

Dream of making 211 high school 3-pointers in a row without a miss.

Fantasize dropping 181 college 3-pointers in a row without a miss.

Visualize yourself shooting and watching 78 NBA 3-pointers go in, in a row without a miss.

I can only imagine, envision, dream of, fantasize and visualize (right now), but that is Dave Hopla’s life!

He’s the greatest basketball shooter in the world!

He makes shots!

Besides his “Airness”, Hopla has personally worked with the likes of future Hall of Famers Kobe Bryant and Ray Allen.  He has also worked over the years with numerous NBA, WNBA and College teams to improve their shooting percentages.

Now, around 11am on Friday morning, Dave Hopla will work with me!

I AM SO EXCITED, THANKFUL and HUMBLED!!!

Anything is possible!!!

me vs. MJ…the journey continues!!!

*For more information on Dave Hopla, check out his website www.davehopla.com.

I thought it might take another 3-4 weeks, but it won’t.

I’M BACK!

Wednesday morning, exactly 8 weeks following the injury that has kept me from doing any activity, I made my comeback with a 1-on-1 rematch against Virginia Tech signee and one of ESPN’s Top 100 players, Robert Brown (see our first match-up here).

Keep in mind, this was the very first time I had played basketball since my injury.  Pretty intense, right?!?

My original plan was to mix in some regular players aka not monsters like Robert (more on this later) and ease back into playing over the next 3-4 weeks, but Mr. Brown happened to be in town on spring break (he attends Hargrave Military Academy) and I can never pass on an opportunity to play against the best and get better!

So early Wednesday morning, we headed to the rec center and had a rematch!!

Due to the game being set up last minute on Tuesday evening, I was unable to find someone to record the games as I had done before, but I’ll give you a brief rundown of how it went.

Thankful

Before I get to how the games went, I just want to say that I am so thankful to be back on the court again and for all of the support over the weeks from each of you.  Means more to me than I can ever express.

No Pain!

Also, through two games of me giving my all in 1-on-1, I felt absolutely no pain!  Praise God!

Big shout out to Justin Cobb and Mike Ames for working with me every week on my rehab.  The work I put in with them allowed me to have the confidence to take on such a player this early.

The Outcome of Me vs. Robert Brown (Round 2)

So I played Robert back at the end of November and he dominated me.  I left highly impressed and the video speaks for itself.  It was just plain easy for him.  I couldn’t even get him to sweat.

Since that time…HE GOT BIGGER AND BETTER!

This is in no way to hype Brown, as his play speaks for itself, but I’ve never felt so helpless on a basketball court in my entire life as I did Wednesday morning.

I’ve played basketball longer than the 18-year-old Brown has been alive, but at 6’5” and with a 6’11” wingspan he is absolutely impossible for me to guard.  The same will very likely be said about most DI guys he’ll play against next year.

Game 1

In game one, I shot for ball, made it and then made an up and under move which prompted Robert to even say, “Nice move,” before the barrage began.

He took me to the basket, when I gave him a little room he took the three and drained it (5 of them actually), and when I then crowded him he dunked on me (hey, he did win a dunk contest just two weeks ago).  He made step backs, bank shots, pull-ups, and shot a very high percentage.  He owned the court.

I managed to do my best and ended game 1 with a 15-8 loss.

Game 2

Game two I’m almost too embarrassed to write about, but I gave my all, so it is what it is.

Not to take anything away from him, but I was gassed this game for sure.  Adrenaline carried me through game 1, but in game 2 my legs were dead, my wind was gone, it was just too much too soon.

On top of that he extended his defense on me, blocking numerous shot attempts.  I guess his coach got on him about his defense the last time after he saw the video of us playing…haha.

With little effort on his end he whooped me 15-1.

Amazing!!!

I’m telling you I’ve never felt so alone on a court.  It felt like he had me on a string and could do whatever he wanted.

I was actually amazed at how good he is.  I have never played with anyone that is even close to as good as Robert Brown is.  It’s that big of a difference.

It’s something you can never understand until you experience it.  Just crazy talented.

I left last time we played thinking that if I got in better shape I could at least give him a better game.  I knew Robert hadn’t put all that much into the games (remember: no sweating), but my goal was if anything to at least make him work!

This time, I’m just gonna say it.  He’s the man!  Watch for him next year at Virginia Tech.  I won’t be the only person he dominates, that’s for sure!

Overall Takeaway

Overall, I spent the rest of Wednesday smiling.  I know, I know, sounds weak after getting my butt kicked, but I was just so thankful for being able to be out there and run and jump and give my all.

Sadly, it sometimes takes loosing something to fully appreciate it.

Tips and Pointers from Mr. Brown

Before we left Robert gave me some tips on how to improve my jab step, ball positioning as I attack the defender, ball fakes and even showed me some shooting drills he works on at school that have helped him a lot.

Because I think it’s so important to note, I will also add that on top of being a phenomenal player, he really is equally a great and extremely humble, young man.

Going Forward

I head back today for more physical therapy and will continue to work on strengthening my calf and my overall conditioning.

I am back in action here at mevsMJ.com and I love every single moment!

The announcement of my Next BIG one-on-one opponent is just around the corner.  I think you’re gonna love it and I will definitely get video!

me vs. MJ…the jouney is back underway!  Hope you’re getting ready for me Mr. Jorrrrrrrdannnnnn!!!

In the late Johnny “Red” Kerr’s voice…”HE IS NOW BACK!!!”

It’s been 44 days since it happened. Forty-four days since I’ve been able to play basketball, due to my injury.

What have I been up to in that time? Therapy and Recovery.

After going to Jewett Orthopedic to have my injury checked out, Dr. Felix, the orthopedic specialist, said he would like me to begin manual therapy sessions. He described those sessions as a painful massage of my leg, using tools, that would aid in my recovery and help to make sure that I healed correctly.

That referral led me to the amazing Barbara Ferrero and Michael Ames of Massage Timeout.

Before I get into what they’ve been doing, let me make it clear that this is not like going to the Ritz Carlton or the Four Seasons for a massage. While I’m sure they would be great at a relaxation massage too, Barbara and Mike are specialists who deal with various professional athletes.

So for the last month, I’ve been going weekly to Sport Specific Training in Orlando and seeing Barbara or Mike and letting them work their magic.

Actually, it’s not magic at all, but rather two separate techniques used to as Mike says,

“Break up adhesions or restrictions throughout the muscles/tendons/ligaments/fascia of the body.”

Sounds painful right? Well it is, but the benefits have been amazing!

The Two Techniques

S.A.S.T.M.

The first technique being used on me was invented by David Graston called S.A.S.T.M. (Sound Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization).

With S.A.S.T.M. a series of tools are scrapped and pushed across my skin with varying degrees of pressure. I’ve got to tell you there are times when I hold my breath, bit down and wait for it to be over. It flat out hurts! When my session is complete, the treated areas are usually red, which then turns to different shades of bruising over the following days. The results however have been GREAT!

Here is a more scientific description from the S.A.S.T.M. website.

“Instruments effectively break down fascial restrictions and scar tissue. The ergonomic design of these instruments provides the clinician with the ability to locate restrictions through sound waves. This allows the clinician to treat the affected area with the appropriate amount of pressure, due to square surface concept.

The introduction of controlled microtrauma to affected soft tissue structure causes the stimulation of a local inflammatory response. Microtrauma initiates reabsorption of inappropriate fibrosis or excessive scar tissue and facilitates a cascade of healing activities resulting in remodeling of affected soft tissue structures. Adhesions within the soft tissue which may have developed as a result of surgery, immobilization, repeated strain or other mechanisms, are broken down allowing full functional restoration to occur.” – www.sastm.com

A.R.T.

The second technique used on me is called A.R.T. (Active Release Technique) which was developed by P. Michael Leahy, DC, CCSP.

What Barbara and Mike, along with Justin Cobb of Sport Specific Training have done is not only treat my injury but look into why I got injured.

My limited flexibility and extremely tight hips and feet, which they identified, have been something they’ve been working on through stretching and A.R.T.

A.R.T is described as:

In Active Release Technique, the provider uses his or her hands to evaluate the texture, tightness and mobility of the soft tissue. Using hand pressure, the practitioner works to remove or break up the fibrous adhesions, with the stretching motions generally in the direction of venous and lymphatic flow, although the opposite direction may occasionally be used.

In the first three levels of ART treatment, as with other soft-tissue treatment forms, movement of the patient’s tissue is done by the practitioner. In level four, however, ART requires the patient to actively move the affected tissue in prescribed ways while the practitioner applies pressure.

This too is quite painful. Mike takes his finger and pushes down into my abdomen working to get to my hip flexor muscles. Think about that for a second and you’ll understand why it hurts. The first time I had it done, it felt like I had been punched over and over again in the stomach for two days.

Physical Therapy

On top of all of that, this past Thursday I got cleared to begin Physical Therapy at SST (Sport Specific Training) and began working with Justin Cobb, MPT, ATC, LAT, CSCS.

The first day of PT consisted of some light movement, a variation of lunges, as well as, numerous stretching techniques. The intensity of the PT will increase as the sessions progress, but I must say the lunges killed my legs! It’s been over six weeks since I’ve done any physical activity with me legs and I boy did they feel it.

The physical therapy in conjunction with the two aforementioned techniques above are important because as Mike describes,

“An important aspect of your therapy is the exercise/stretching routine in conjunction with the techniques I am using with you. When you break up adhesions you must put the muscle under strain and stretch in order to coerce the broken up adhesions into proper alignment. The stretches you are doing with Physical Therapy really bring everything together. I break up the adhesions surrounding your injury and you then put the muscles under strain and stretch helping to realign any fibrotic tissue that has not been reabsorbed into the body, thus making the damaged tissue stronger and more functional.”

I’m Healing!! (The Dramatic Difference)

Had I not been on this journey to play Michael Jordan, I probably would have done what most do and just let the injury heal incorrectly on its own.

Since the very first treatment with Barbara, I have seen dramatic improvement in my range of motion and the overall usability of my injured calf muscle.

As of right now, I feel no pain during normal movements like walking or going up on my toes. Due to doctors orders, I have been advised to wait a couple of more weeks and allow the manual therapy and physical therapy to continue to assist in the healing and strengthening process before I attempt to jog, run or jump.

Overall, I’ve been highly impressed and super thankful. Going through this hasn’t been easy, but we all have an opportunity through each situation to make ourselves more informed and better prepared and that is exactly what I’m doing.

Later today, I will head back for the first of five sessions (2 MT/3PT) this week.

Timetable To Get Back On The Court!

While I have been at the courts lately shooting (see new record below), I haven’t been doing any playing or true testing of the injured leg. Hopefully in a few more weeks I’ll be better than ever and back taking on the best I can find, as I prepare for my match-up with Michael Jordan.

I can definitely see the light at the end of the tunnel and that is EXCITING!

Special Thanks!!

Special thanks to Dr. Felix, Barbara Ferrero, Michael Ames, and Justin Cobb for helping me along on my road to recovery!

**If I’m able to, I will get video of some of the treatment I’m receiving for Thursday’s post!

PS: I haven’t forgotten about you Mr. Jordan! I hope you’re getting ready!

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*NEW Free Throw Record (34 in a row)

For the last three Saturday’s I’ve been going to the court and doing some light shooting. This past Saturday I set a new personal best for free throws in a row with 34 consecutive makes!

I’m fairly sure the most I had ever made in a row in my life was 32 in a row back when I was in my late teens or early 20s.

That means I am now one third of the way to my goal of 100 Free Throws in a row.

The journey continues….