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.

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.

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?

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 5^th 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.

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.

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.)

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!!!

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!

Later tonight I will take the next step in my preparation to face Michael Jordan by attending my first training session with Kevin Sutton!!  Due to the group of players participating in this session (I’ll be the only 33 year old), I’ll be giving it my all.

Will everyone else?

Truthfully, will the college guy give everything he’s got against me or just enough to attempt to accomplish his goal of winning?

Do I decide that or does he?

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I’ve been at the gym a lot lately working on my game, but since my injury I haven’t really played a lot of hoops besides my 1-on-1 match-ups with Robert Brown and Garfield Blair, a couple of times with a buddy of mine and then this past Sunday with my brother.

My brother actually came up to the gym to workout, but the weight room and cardio room were both closed so he came to the court and told me that I have to be his cardio today.

I asked him if he wanted to shoot or play, knowing that I could help him get a good workout either way.  He said play, to which I confidently told him that he’s not ready for me.  My brother has played hoops just twice in the last four months.  He’s not in basketball shape.

I went into the game with the mindset that I’d give just enough effort to win.

Bad move on my part. I lost.

I regrouped and won the next two, but I should have won every game.

Not to take anything away from him, because he’s amazing on the court, but my focus and effort decided the outcome of those games…the wins and the loss.

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Who dictates the effort that you give?  Is it you or your competition?

If you go back to how I began this post, I have a tendency of letting my competition dictate my level of effort.

That is a titanic mistake just waiting to sink my dreams.

I can no longer allow that.  I Must Always Give My All!

Reminder: Be sure to check back Thursday for a recap of my first training session with Coach Kevin Sutton!

God has a plan for me.

I have no better way to describe what is happening in my life these days than to give credit where credit is due.

In the last month and a half, I just happened to meet the designer of the Jordan typeface, just happened to come across and work with Dave Hopla, just happened to get connected with pro basketball player Garfield Blair, just happened to meet my next 1-on-1 opponent (more on this in a later post), just happened to get a call from Nick Anderson and just happened to yesterday morning meet one of the top basketball coaches in America, Kevin Sutton.

I believe in God and I don’t believe that many things just happen.

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As I said I would in my last post, I’ve been at the gym every morning this week working on my free throws.  Working on getting past the mental block I’m currently battling and moving closer to my goal of 100 free throws in a row.

I’d love to report that I’ve pushed past my personal best of 34 makes in a row already, but I haven’t.  Yesterday, I got to 25 and 29 on two separate occasions before I missed.

Making and missing free throws isn’t what today’s post is about though.  Making and missing free throws was merely the vehicle for what is coming next on my journey to face Michael Jordan.

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Yesterday morning, I stood at the line, and just before I let another shot go, four people began making their way across the baseline underneath the basket.  As the ball swished through the net and down to the floor one of the gentlemen in the group, wearing a baseball cap, smiled and said, “I’ve got it!”

As I looked up to thank him, I realized it was non other than Coach Kevin Sutton.

Kevin Sutton

In his 24 years of coaching, both at the collegiate and high school level, Kevin Sutton has coached 13 players that were drafted into the NBA, Europe or WNBA.  He has also coached and developed around 100 players that went on to play college basketball.

Most recently he built Montverde Academy into a National powerhouse, with an amazing 158-31 record, including a National Championship in 2007.

This year Sutton was also named the Head Coach for USA Basketball’s 2011 Junior National Select Team, which featured players like Austin Rivers, Brad Beal, Michael Gilchrist, Anthony Davis and James McAdoo.

He also has worked at numerous prestigious basketball camps including, Michael Jordan Flight School!

I’m On A Journey to Play Michael Jordan

I introduced myself to Coach Sutton and the people he was with and began telling them about my journey to play my childhood hero Michael Jordan.  I told them what I’ve done so far with training and who I’ve played.

After I was done giving them a brief mevsMJ.com overview and explaining how amazing the journey has been thus far, Coach Sutton invited me to come train with him and a select group of individuals that include current college, top tier high school and even the occasional NBA player!

Working with Kevin Sutton

So starting next Tuesday I will begin another journey within this wonderful journey that is mevsMJ.com.

Next week I will begin working with Kevin Sutton!!

I called Coach Sutton Wednesday afternoon to confirm the time and location for next week and asked him how many times I could attend.

He responded, “You can come as often as you like!”

Life Is Amazing, If You Allow It To Be (My 2011 Slogan)

Wonderful, amazing, life changing things are happening at a rapid pace these non-ordinary days.

I’m telling you…Life is Amazing, if you allow it to be!!!

As always, thank you for the continued support and love!

**Do me a huge favor and spread the mevsMJ.com word by sharing on Facebook, Twitter, or anything else you like!

“You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them.” – Michael Jordan

I read that quote a few hours before I slid my Jordans on and took on my next 1-on-1 opponent, Jamaican National Team Starting Shooting Guard, Garfield Blair.

Garfield Blair (The Player)

In July of last year Blair averaged over 15 points per game for team Jamaica in the Centrobasket tournament (A FIBA sponsored basketball tournament) including one 27 point outing against the U.S. Virgin Islands.

In 2009, Garfield graduated from Division I, Stetson University, where he averaged 17.3 points per game and 7.7 rebounds per game during his senior season.

Blair also had a short stint this year with the National Basketball Development League’s Springfield Armor.

Going For The Win!

Despite all of that, I went into yesterday’s games with Garfield going for the win.  We would play two games of 1-on-1 to 15 points, make it take it, with two pointers worth 1 point and three’s worth 2 points.  I believed in my mind that I could pull it off if I got hot…and then the game began (video below).

Game 1 (Two Shots)

I shot for ball, missed, and then the 6 foot 5 inch, 210-pound, former Stetson Hatters star gave me an up close example of what he can do.

After playing Garfield, the bigger question is what can’t he do?

In all of game one he missed four shots, two of which he got the rebound and then converted to baskets.

This hurts so badly to type, but the game lasted less than four minutes.  I touched the ball only twice, and one of my two shot attempts was blocked.

He torched me with drives, dunks, NBA three pointers, and pull-ups.

He dominated me to the tune of a 15-0 shutout!

I’m Better Than This!

During the break between Game 1 and Game 2 I couldn’t believe I had just been beaten so easily.

I couldn’t believe I had just been shutout!

In all honesty, I don’t think I’ve ever been shutout in a game of 1-on-1.  I also have never gotten the ball only two times.  Blair had it dialed in and it was sooo smooth.

Head up, I was determined to do better in game 2!

Game 2

Game two began unfortunately with more of the same.  Of the first four points Garfield scored, two of them were dunks.

Then I finally got my chance.

A couple of jab steps and I got enough room to get off and make a three pointer.  I then drove to the basket and made a left handed lay-up high off the glass (which he slapped in an attempt to block the shot).

That was the extent of my scoring.  In game two I touched the ball just five times and only got shots off on four occasions.

Garfield went back to work draining three NBA distance three-pointers in a row and finished me off easily.

Final Score of Game 2:  15-3

Me vs. Garfield Blair (Video):

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJJk3OvfmtI

[If you are reading this via email or RSS, click here to view video.]

He Has No Weakness!

Most normal people that play basketball can dribble or shoot or are athletic, but rarely are they more than one of those.  So against normal competition I would identify the weaknesses and the adjust how I play them, making the game easier for me.

Garfield Blair has no weakness and he definitely isn’t normal.

He handles like it’s on a string, has ocean deep range, is quick, strong, and explosive and doesn’t miss shots.

I think both games of 1-on-1 took a total of 10-11 minutes.  It was crazy!

Time For A Change (Loser’s Outs)

Going forward I will be most likely forced to play loser’s outs when playing top tier competition like Garfield Blair and Robert Brown.

The prideful side of me doesn’t want to do that, but it should give me a better chance of making the games competitive by getting more chances to score.

Overall Impressions

It’s inspiring and a bit demoralizing playing against someone like Garfield Blair.  He not only has talent, but he has put so much work in to the game of basketball and it shows.

Before I began this journey, I really didn’t believe there was that big of a difference in players.  I’ve played ball my whole life, and despite how Garfield makes me look on the court, I’m actually decent on a normal guy scale.  To go out and to be made to look like I’ve never played ball pounds the ego, but it also inspires.

It shows me how great someone can be.  It motivates me to get better, to do everything possible to be more prepared next time.

End of the day, Garfield Blair can flat out ball.  It is truly amazing how good he really is.

BIG THANKS TO GARFIELD BLAIR!!!

I want to thank Garfield Blair for taking the time and playing me.  It was something he didn’t have to do and my appreciation that he did is huge.

Watch for him on team Jamaica, or an NBDL or NBA team in the near future.

He’s a class act that some team will be very happy to have.  No doubt!

Failing into Success

So thus far I’m 1-7 in 1-on-1 match-ups, as I prepare for my dream match-up with Michael Jordan.  Not good at all.

“I’ve failed over and over again in my life.  That is why I succeed.” – Michael Jordan

I could easily pick lesser players and rack up some wins, but what good would that do?  Even though I’m loosing, I’m winning.  The experience of matching up with phenomenal players is priceless and believe it or not, I will be better because of yesterday’s brutal beating.

I want more than anything to do a 1-on-1 post and report a big win.  I still believe it’s possible.  I will continue to work and do my best to maximize my potential.

Thank you for the love and support!

me vs. MJ…the journey continues!

*If you’d like to help me prepare for my eventual 1-on-1 match-up with Michael Jordan and are a current or former top high school, college or pro player, sign up here! Thanks in advance…and I will be coming for the win!

*Note:  I also want to thank Justin Cobb for connecting me with Garfield and for doing a great job shooting the video!  Also, special thanks to Ziarekenya Smith for the awesome pictures!  I appreciate you guys!!

I jumped out of bed this past Friday morning, grabbed a quick bite to eat and headed to the gym to get some makes in.  I went to work on my game.  I went to break records.  I entered the gym upbeat and full of energy, but left frustrated and a little down.

Actually, I left fairly upset.  So much so that it affected me the remainder of the day and even as I was trying to fall asleep that night.

I wasn’t as upset by the fact that I didn’t break my free throw record (only got to 33 makes in a row) as I was with what two individuals said to me while I was there.

Without me asking, a young kid and a middle aged man both told me at separate times throughout my shooting work that I’m, “pretty good.”

I thanked them with a smile, but internally I cringed.

It’s ALL ABOUT Perspective

Until two Friday’s ago, being told by two complete strangers “I’m pretty good,” most likely would have stroked my ego nicely.  I mean, who doesn’t like compliments?

The issue for me is that since my time with Dave Hopla, the greatest basketball shooter in the World, I don’t see “pretty good” as a compliment anymore.

Like Dave said on more than one occasion during our time together, “No one remembers a pretty good movie, but a Great movie, everyone remembers!”

I WANT TO BE GREAT!

“You’re Pretty Good!”

After the youngster (14 yrs old) stopped me between shots and asked how often I play basketball before tagging our conversation with, “You’re pretty good!” all I could think about as I went back to shooting was what he would say if he saw Dave Hopla shoot.

I knew he wouldn’t say, “Hey, you’re pretty good!”  He’d probably call every one of his friends, record video on his cell phone, or sit there in disbelief with drool running out of his mouth.

The thing is, he was right about me.  I currently am just that…“pretty good.”  While he and his friends were there, sometimes just watching me, I shot 71.42% from 15-17 feet, 92.77% from the free throw line, and 61.40% from the high school three-point line.

I shot “pretty good.”

Being Exposed To Greatness

I’ve written in the past about how scope, or what you’re exposed to, can change your life.  I wrote about how being exposed to people that are great at what they do gives the growing individual a peep hole to see why they are successful.  I closed that post with nine very challenging words….

When is the last time you expanded your scope?

Dave Hopla didn’t just expand my scope (He makes over 98% of his shots).  He torched the paint off of the binoculars, and dropped a nuclear bomb on my basketball belief system.

He changed my thought process when I’m shooting the ball and while the majority would say this whole post is a little extreme, and maybe I should ease up and just take the compliment, the truth is, GREATNESS DOESN’T EASE UP!

We all “want to be” Great!  Right???

Saying I want to be great and being great is only separated by a crevasse the size of the Grand Canyon.

Being exposed to true Greatness, I now see that in blistering, vibrant 3D.

It’s easy to go around chanting, “Like Mike, If I Could Be Like Mike!” but when you actually attempt to be like Mike or Dave Hopla you find out that it isn’t so easy.

The work they put in to their craft would make most Doctorate students want to re-enroll and do it all over again, as opposed to taking on the work load of the great ones.

So instead, most settle for “pretty good” if that, Mr. Jordan and Mr. Hopla get admired like the pyramids and life goes on.

Will I Ever Be A “Great Shooter” Like Dave Hopla?

Is it possible?  Yes, without a smidgen of doubt, it is possible for me to be a great shooter like Dave.

The real question is will it happen?

Dave didn’t hide any part of his preparation into becoming a great shooter when we met.  In fact he reduced it down to this:

“If you want to be the best 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.” – Dave Hopla, World’s Greatest Basketball Shooter

Ahhh, and that my friends, is the tough part.

Since Dave and I met on April 15^th, I’ve made 1,311 shots.  That, P90X, work, and this blog, have left me more than spent each evening.  For greatness though, it’s not enough.

Dave, while on vacation, has made 3,317 shots.  He will add another 500 makes this morning.

Greatness takes dedication.  It takes truckloads full of work.  It’s never easy.  It seems impossible, but it’s not.

I’ve seen greatness in person and it’s one the most beautiful things you can ever experience.

Human capability is often capped by our mental approach.  Most times we achieve what we are exposed to as people.  Studies will show income levels, social circles, and so on, follow this trend.

Then every so often a Roger Bannister, Michael Jordan, or Dave Hopla comes along and refuses to accept current standards of excellence.  They bust through the previously set standard like the Incredible Hulk, inspire dreamers, and become GREAT!

They don’t accept being someone’s definition of “pretty good!”

I can’t either.

Will you?

####

After almost three hours at the gym that Friday, soaked with sweat, I handed the basketball back to the staff member and someone I had never seen before said, “Your shot looks a little flat, but it’s pretty good.”

I said nothing, knowing that “pretty good” is only a momentary rest stop for where I’m going.

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

####

Me vs. Garfield Blair Tomorrow!!!!

Tomorrow I’ll lace up the Jordans and take on my next 1-on-1 opponent Garfield Blair!  Garfield (6’5″) is the starting shooting guard for the Jamaican National team.  (Read more about Garfield here)

Be sure to check back for pictures and video!!

Wish me luck!!!

“How many do you think I’ll score?”, was the text message I sent to my next 1-on-1 opponent.

“Maybe about 5 or 6,” was Garfield Blair’s response.

What started as a slight smile across my face grew into a full out laugh as I read his message.  I wasn’t laughing at what Blair, the 6 foot 5 inch, 215 pound, Jamaican National Team’s starting shooting guard, had wrote.  I was was laughing because I was happy.  Happy to be playing again.  Thrilled to be lining up a game of 1-on-1 against a player with Blair’s credentials.

Garfield Blair (The Player)

In July of last year Blair averaged over 15 points per game for team Jamaica in the Centrobasket tournament (A FIBA sponsored basketball tournament) including one 27 point outing against the U.S. Virgin Islands.

In 2009, Garfield graduated from Division I, Stetson University, where he averaged 17.3 points per game and 7.7 rebounds per game during his senior season.

Blair also had a short stint with the National Basketball Development League’s Springfield Armor.

Me vs. Garfield Blair (Coming Soon!!!)

My hope is by the beginning of next week, if not before, to have an official game of 1-on-1 scheduled with Mr. Blair for sometime near the end of April or the first part of May.

Just like in the past, I will have someone there to record the game and document the results.

It should be A LOT of fun!

I Can’t Wait!

I’m very thankful that Garfield Blair has agreed to play me and help me get better!  This is exactly what I need as I continue to prepare for my 1-on-1 match-up with Michael Jordan!

As far as the “maybe about 5 or 6 (points),” goes…well at the risk of Garfield reading this and turning up the intensity even more, I’m coming for a win! (I actually already told him I was coming for the win via text, which he responded with, “lol, sounds good!”)

Regardless of the outcome of the game(s), I know playing against a player like Garfield Blair will make me better and I CAN’T WAIT!

It’s getting very real over here at mevsMJ.com folks.  Amazing what can happen if you work hard and believe!

Thank you for your continued support!

Special Thanks!

I want to thank Justin Cobb for setting the game up between me and Garfield.  Justin has been working with me weekly on my road to recovery (torn calf muscle) and has me feeling strong and confident again.  He’s pushing me beyond my ordinary limits (had to stop a little short last workout because I felt sick from pushing so hard) which I love because I know it’s going to payoff in a big way!  Only downside is that he trained Garfield too…hahah!

**If you’re a top high school, college or professional basketball player and you’d like to play me 1-on-1 and help me get ready for Michael Jordan, click here and sign-up! Thank you in advance!