Man, you won’t believe the day I had. So, I’ve been trying to get back into playing basketball, right? And not just any pickup game at the park, I’m talking about really getting good, like, remembering-all-the-moves kind of good. Today’s focus was all about getting into the groove with this guy named Albert White.
Now, I dug up some stuff about him online. Born in ’77, played in a bunch of leagues, and even captained his team back in high school in ’64. That’s some serious experience right there. The dude’s a swingman, 6’6″, and has played all over, even in Argentina. I figured if I’m gonna do this, might as well learn from someone who’s been around the block, you know?
First thing I did was watch some old videos of him playing. It’s crazy how different the game was back then, but the fundamentals are still the same. I started with some basic ball-handling drills. Just dribbling, getting a feel for the ball, switching hands, doing crossovers. My arms were burning after a while, but it felt good, like I was actually accomplishing something.
Then, I moved on to shooting. I set up some cones in my driveway to mark different spots on the court and practiced shooting from each one. Let me tell you, my shots were all over the place at first. Bricks, airballs, you name it. But I kept at it, focusing on my form, trying to get that smooth arc and follow-through. Slowly but surely, I started hitting more shots. It’s like my muscles were remembering what to do.
- Dribbling drills: low dribbles, high dribbles, crossovers, behind-the-back.
- Shooting practice: free throws, jump shots, layups.
- Footwork exercises: shuffling, pivoting, defensive slides.
After that, I worked on some footwork exercises. This was tough. I did some shuffling drills, trying to stay low and move quickly. I also practiced pivoting, you know, keeping one foot planted while moving the other. It’s all about balance and coordination, which I definitely need to work on.
By the end of the day, I was exhausted, but in a good way. It felt like I had actually made some progress. It’s not just about playing, it’s about putting in the work, the dedication. And using Albert White’s career as a bit of a roadmap, even though I’m nowhere near his level, it’s inspiring. It shows that with enough practice, anyone can get better. And who knows, maybe one day I’ll be able to play like him, or at least not embarrass myself on the court. That’s the goal, anyway.
Key Takeaways
This whole experience reminded me that getting good at anything takes time and effort. It’s not about instant results, it’s about the journey, the process of learning and improving. And it’s not just about basketball, it’s about life. You gotta put in the work if you want to see results. So, I’m gonna keep practicing, keep pushing myself, and see where this takes me. It might be a long road, but I’m ready for it.
I plan to share my practice records in the future.
