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!!!”

Friday night found me sitting on one of many long pine benches that make up a set of bleachers, shoulder to shoulder, about as close as you’d ever want to sit with anyone.  To my left, a client and former Duke grad, his two sons and nephew.   On the other side me was a friend I hadn’t seen in 17 years.  To the front of me a couple of co-workers.   Behind me and throughout the rest of the gymnasium was ENTHUSIASM in all caps!  It was great!

We were there, ESPN was there, and everyone else was there to see the showdown.  It didn’t disappoint.

Did I mention that Friday night I was at a high school basketball game?

I just so happen to live about 40 minutes from Winter Park High School.   Winter Park High School just so happens to have on its roster the number one ranked high school basketball player in the entire country.   That player is Austin Rivers, who just so happens to be the son of former NBA player and current Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers.

I’ve seen Austin play twice in the past two weeks and while I could write on and on about how he dropped 38 points against the number two team in the country, often against either the #3 or #49 ranked players in the country, and how it was done so inspiringly smooth and rich, I won’t.  I could do that, but that post will come later when I play Austin 1-on-1.   [OK, so I don’t have that game lined up just yet, but if you’re reading this Austin, wanna play? ]

This post isn’t about how great Rivers is and let me tell you, the Duke signee is special (see video of Friday’s game below).

This post is about how a normal Friday evening in a high school gymnasium can bring people together, strengthen relationships new and old and be filled with all the excitement and fun one would ever venture after, for the low price of $10.

Every holiday and event, every birthday and anniversary, has for so many become about the amount spent rather than the value gained.  Hand raised, I admit, I’m part of the hoopla.

Two weeks ago when I went to see Rivers play (just $5) and then again this past Friday, I was reminded that you can still have a lot of fun with friends without having to release dozens of hard earned dead presidents.

If you’re a hoops fan, I encourage you to check out the ESPNU’s player rankings and see if you have a future NBAer playing in a dimly lit gym near you.  Even if you don’t, go see your local high school team play.   Sit close to people you may or may not know, on seats that dream of padding, in a place filled with passion.  It will be a great reminder that return on investment has little to do with the amount invested.

What are your favorite things to do that are light on the wallet, but high on return?

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Austin Rivers Going OFF for 9 in a row Friday Night against #2 St. Patricks! (Video)

Click play, sit back, watch and listen.  Outstanding performance (38 points)!  Amazing atmosphere!

[blip.tv ?posts_id=4660041&dest=-1]

[If you are reading this via email or RSS, the video may not show up, so click here to watch the video.]

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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! 

This is Part 2 of a two part series this week on my match-up with Robert Brown, one of the top high school basketball players in the nation.  In Part 1, I shared the back story and how I got the game against such an elite player. Today, In Part 2 I will give an account of our match-up last Friday with results, as well as, share some of the 1-on-1 video.

I WON!  I Beat him 15-11!!

Then I woke up.

It was a little after 5am on Friday morning of last week.  The sun had yet to welcome in the new day, but I felt like a small child on Christmas and I had done all the sleeping I could do.

I was excited! I couldn’t wait to get on the court!

My one-on-one match-up with Robert Brown, one of the top High School basketball players in the entire country was just five hours away!

Pre-game

I arrived at the court around 9:20am to give myself plenty of time to stretch and warm-up for our 10am showdown.

I wanted to be at my best!

Right at 10am Robert showed up and after a couple of shots it was time to play.

Me vs. Robert Brown

Let me end all outside hope that I put on my cape and somehow beat Robert Brown, the 25th ranked shooting guard in the nation.

I didn’t.

Honestly, I couldn’t even get the 84th ranked player in the country to sweat!  Seriously.

We ended up playing two games of 1-on-1 to 15 points (3 pointers worth 2 points, everything else worth 1 point).

-Game 1

I quickly fell behind in game one.

He might have been up on me seven or eight to nothing before I made a weak lay-in to at least get on the board.

I was a little taken aback by his length and size as a defender.  Robert is probably the first 6’4” person I’ve ever played against that wasn’t a post player.

He was doing any and everything he wanted.  Shooting threes, taking me to the basket, making floaters, hooks, and runners.

As the ball came through the chain net on his 14th point of game one, I felt a little dizzy and quickly sucked in some air and collected myself.

I was spent.

After bending over and picking up the ball I looked up, hoping to see just a smidgen of fatigue on the face of this young man, but it was void of struggle.

Game 1 ended with a score of 15-5.

While I had hoped to give a more competitive game, at that point I was just happy that I actually scored!

I caught my breath, we took a picture, and I asked for some more!

-Game 2

Game two began with more of the same.

He opened up nailing two 3 pointers and got ahead on me quite a bit before I got a little hot.

After a string of 3 pointers of my own, I was actually up 12-11, before he shifted gears and beat me 15-12.

Extremely Impressed!

There is no doubt Robert Brown can play some basketball!   I was thoroughly impressed with the ease at which he seemed to do everything.

The guy is so smooth on the court.

What I Learned About My Game

I need to get in a lot better BASKETBALL shape.

While I may be in the best shape of my life overall, I found myself gasping for air trying to stay with the constant quick explosive movements needed in a 1-on-1 match-up.

Next Time!

Yes, there will be a next time!

Robert agreed to play me again when he comes back for holiday breaks from Hargrave Military Academy in Virginia, where he is playing his senior season.

My goal is to improve my conditioning so that the next time I can give him a better game.

I at least want to make him sweat…haha.

Overall Takeaway

Overall, this was such a cool experience for me.  It just doesn’t get better than matching-up with one of the nation’s elite young basketball players and laying it all on the line.

Sure I got my butt kicked.  Sure the games were easy like Sunday morning for him.

I left those games so motivated though!

I left the games feeling that I got a glimpse into how much I need to improve to play against the elite and actually compete.

It was definitely a wake-up call.   One that I am more than happy to do my very best to answer.

I may still be a long way from giving Mr. Jordan a decent game, but I’m getting better with each amazing experience!  I’m loving it!

Shout out to Robert Brown!

I can’t thank Robert enough for taking time from his holiday break and playing me.

Thank you for helping to make me better bro!

I’ll see ya at Christmas!  Oh and I will be better!

Me vs. Robert Brown 1-on-1 (Video):

Here is some video of our 1-on-1 match-up.  Enjoy!
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REVBTUEXf_g

[If you’re reading this via e-mail or RSS the video might not show up, so click here to view it.]
UPDATE:  Read about my other two match-ups with Robert Brown, that followed this initial meeting!
–I’M BACK!!!! (Me vs. Virginia Tech signee Robert Brown – Round 2)
–The Best Don’t Get Tired (Me vs. Robert Brown-Round 3)

Special thanks to Jim Kerkvliet for shooting the video and taking the pictures!  Thanks Jim!

How I Got A Game Of 1-on-1 Against Robert Brown

Back when basketball was at an all-time high for importance in my life, I spent numerous hours playing on the local courts and coaching my brother in YMCA leagues around my small hometown of Clermont, Florida.  It was during those years that I got to know Robert Brown, Sr.

In those days I would see his then, small son working on his game in between our games or on the opposite court.

Due to me not playing hoops as much over the last several years, until I began this journey a couple of months ago, I had lost track of them both until I saw an article this past summer on how Robert Jr. had signed a basketball scholarship with Division I, Virginia Tech.

To have a Division I player come from the small town of Clermont is a big deal!  To have him be the son of someone you know, is even cooler!

I quickly googled him, read some articles and found some video of him on YouTube.

He was dunking, shooting threes, going to the basketball.  Basically, he was doing anything he wanted to do on the court.   He had grown to be 6’4” and the game looked easy for him.

ESPN has Robert ranked #84 overall in its top 100 players in the country going into this season.  They have him ranked as the 25th best player at his position, shooting guard.

I attempted to reach out to his Dad at that point, just to tell him congratulations and that I couldn’t wait to come watch his son play (prior to this season, and transferring to Hargrave Military Academy, Robert played for the local high school).  Unfortunately, the phone number I had from many years ago was no longer good.

Then last Tuesday, something unexpected happened.

The church gym that a group of us usually play at every Tuesday was closed due to the Thanksgiving holidays.  Not to be deterred from our weekly game, we all went to a local outdoor court.  The same court where I usually shoot my free-throws and work on my game.

As I was shooting around, I noticed a familiar face standing on the baseline of the court.  It was Robert Brown, Sr.   I hadn’t seen him in yeeeeaaars.

Robert Jr. was there too dribbling a basketball on the sidelines.  He was home from Hargrave Military Academy in Virginia where he is now playing his senior season, for Thanksgiving break.

We caught up, I told them what I was doing in my journey to face Michael Jordan one-on-one, and asked if he’d be open to shooting around or playing me one-on-one while he was home from break.

He said sure!

A couple of text messages over the next couple of days and the game was set for Friday morning at 10am.

At the time of the last text on Thanksgiving evening confirming the time we would play, I was just hours from playing one of the best high school basketball players in the country.

I was just hours from playing against a young man, who in his last game before playing me had 25 points and 15 rebounds!

Here is a preview of our match-up!

Preview Of My 1-on-1 Match-Up With Robert Brown

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoztqzQax1U
[If you’re reading this via e-mail or RSS the video might not show up, so click here to view it.]

**Be sure to check back on Thursday for results of our one-on-one game, with pictures and video!