Whats going on! This past week, we played Maccabi Tel Aviv, the best team in the Israeli basketball league and first in the standing. One of our key players is still out due to injury, so the team signed another player; Brian Markson to fill in that void while our teammate recovers. He is a very good slasher with great leaping ability and brings a lot of energy to the floor when he plays. It was a great atmosphere at the game and both team got out to a very good start in the game. Maccabi, who team is full of tall and athletic players, were getting out in transition and getting a lot of fast break baskets in the first half. Our team responded well, we made some runs of our own and you could really see the team growing in confidence as the game went along. With some of our main guys sitting on the bench due to foul trouble at half time, we were only down 45-50.
The start of the second half, we came out very aggressive on both ends of the floor and took a small lead. The 3rd quarter proved to be a very pivotal period for our team because we were able to get to the foul line early and often. This allowed us to put the ball inside and penetrate to the basket. At the end of the third period, we were ahead 76-75.The fourth quarter was very intense and emotional as our team could sense a big win coming on our home court. Lead changes were going back and forth but in the last 3 minutes of the game, Maccabi executed much better than we did. In a span of 40 seconds, we went from up 2 to down 4 giving up two three pointers on back to back possessions and that proved to be the difference in the game. We out played them for 35 minutes, but in the end, they were able to separate emotions from their play execution and found a way to win. This is a part of the game that our team lacks but we are getting better at. It was a hard fought game and we put up a great effort but we went down 93-96. I finished the game with 20pts, 4 rebs. & 2 ast.
Tomorrow we play Jerusalem, a similar team to Maccabi, who is 2nd in the league standings. It will be a good test for us on the road to see if we can maintain the same intensity from last game away from home. I’m sure we can and will; our full roster will be in tack so I’m looking forward to the challenge.
Last night I watch the Cards play against Arizona in the Sweet 16 and it was a thing of beauty. The way they shared the ball and got everyone involved was fun to watch. Also, to watch Andre McGee harassing guards full court the entire game and having that defensive energy trickle its way down to his other teammates is enjoyable to watch. Three games left to the crown….GO CARDS! Peace…
Son Of The City
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
Two Game Split
Hey! Hey! Hope that everyone is well back in that cold weather back home. In the previous blog I wrote you, our team was coming off a tough double over time loss to Holon on the road. So last week we hosted Ashekelon at home in a game that we needed to win. We opened the game very sluggish and were not playing in a good rhythm. Two minutes into the second quarter, one of our key players went down with a leg injury and did not return for the game. So as bad as we played and facing adversity, our team was fortunate that we were only down one point at half time 33-34.
The start of the second half, we looked like a totally different team. We played with more energy and possessed tenacity on defense. Our transition game picked up pace which enabled us to get out and get some easy baskets. I fouled out of the game close to the end, but my team was still able to come away with the victory. I know….I must stop fouling, this is the third game I have fouled out of. Lol! I ended the game with 19pts and 4rebs and 2stls. Felt good to get back on the winning side!
Yesterday we headed back on the road, with one of our key players still out from last game, to play Galil. They are a very good pick and roll team with great shooters from the outside. On the contrary, they opened up the game with a lot of isolation plays and were beating us off the dribble to the basket. We were not playing with any toughness and were just letting them do whatever they wanted to do on offense. The first half, they shot 94% from the field…is that even possible shooting in the gym alone? That is just an indicator of the bad defense we were playing, giving up lay-up after lay-up and still, we were only down 8 at half time 52-44. The second half we played with more courage and purpose like we wanted to win the game. Our defense was getting stops and we were getting out in transition, where we are at our best, for easy baskets. In the 4th quarter when the game was on the line, we were just not able to stop their pick and roll offense when we needed to and it cost us the victory. In zone or man, they dissected our defense with it and either got an easy shot or an open three. We put up a good fight in the second half but in the end, we just couldn’t get the stops that we needed to have. I ended the game with 20pts, 8rebs and 3assist but it was a bad shooting night….6/17 fg’s! Anybody that knows my game, knows that I thrive on efficiency! Only cure is to get back in the gym….
On another note, I wasn’t in the best of moods after losing my game yesterday but saw the Cards get the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA tournament! It lifted my night and got me pretty excited to watch them play this week! Let the count down begin….6 games left to the crown!
Son Of The City
The start of the second half, we looked like a totally different team. We played with more energy and possessed tenacity on defense. Our transition game picked up pace which enabled us to get out and get some easy baskets. I fouled out of the game close to the end, but my team was still able to come away with the victory. I know….I must stop fouling, this is the third game I have fouled out of. Lol! I ended the game with 19pts and 4rebs and 2stls. Felt good to get back on the winning side!
Yesterday we headed back on the road, with one of our key players still out from last game, to play Galil. They are a very good pick and roll team with great shooters from the outside. On the contrary, they opened up the game with a lot of isolation plays and were beating us off the dribble to the basket. We were not playing with any toughness and were just letting them do whatever they wanted to do on offense. The first half, they shot 94% from the field…is that even possible shooting in the gym alone? That is just an indicator of the bad defense we were playing, giving up lay-up after lay-up and still, we were only down 8 at half time 52-44. The second half we played with more courage and purpose like we wanted to win the game. Our defense was getting stops and we were getting out in transition, where we are at our best, for easy baskets. In the 4th quarter when the game was on the line, we were just not able to stop their pick and roll offense when we needed to and it cost us the victory. In zone or man, they dissected our defense with it and either got an easy shot or an open three. We put up a good fight in the second half but in the end, we just couldn’t get the stops that we needed to have. I ended the game with 20pts, 8rebs and 3assist but it was a bad shooting night….6/17 fg’s! Anybody that knows my game, knows that I thrive on efficiency! Only cure is to get back in the gym….
On another note, I wasn’t in the best of moods after losing my game yesterday but saw the Cards get the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA tournament! It lifted my night and got me pretty excited to watch them play this week! Let the count down begin….6 games left to the crown!
Son Of The City
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Holon
Hey! Sorry, I have not been feeling well this week, so that is why I haven’t written a blog to you guys. Last weekend our team had a good week of practice and prepared to face Holon, Israeli Cup Champions, on the road in a hostile environment. It was a great game that took two over-times to decide the winner. Unfortunately, we missed the game winning shot at the buzzer and were on the losing end of the battle 107-108. I was able to help the team get out to a great start in the first half but saw only a few minutes in the second half. The Israeli rules say that two Israeli players must be on the court at all times during the game. Our coach felt we needed two American big men and one wing man on the court instead of two wing men and one big, which in turn, left little action for me in the second half. Overall, I thought that we put forth a great effort and played well as a team, but in the end we just didn’t find a way to pull it out. I ended the game with 14pts and 5rebs.
My dad is here in Tel Aviv visiting for two weeks, so it felt good to have him here and able to watch me play. The day after the game, we went on a religious retreat for a few days to site see and ease my mind from the game. Our first trip was to Jerusalem, to see and learn more about The Biblical history of Jesus Christ. It was a great experience, we got a chance to see the Crucifixion and Resurrection sites of Jesus Christ. Our second trip was to see The Sea of Galilee and The Jordan River. Seeing those sites and knowing what they represent was very powerful and something I will never forget.
This week we play a team called Ashkelon, they are one game ahead of us in the standings. They have a team with good chemistry and great shooters, but it's at our home so we look forward to getting back on the right track. Look forward to writing you after the game tomorrow and telling you about the victory from the game. Back to the gym until we get it right….Peace!
Son Of The City
My dad is here in Tel Aviv visiting for two weeks, so it felt good to have him here and able to watch me play. The day after the game, we went on a religious retreat for a few days to site see and ease my mind from the game. Our first trip was to Jerusalem, to see and learn more about The Biblical history of Jesus Christ. It was a great experience, we got a chance to see the Crucifixion and Resurrection sites of Jesus Christ. Our second trip was to see The Sea of Galilee and The Jordan River. Seeing those sites and knowing what they represent was very powerful and something I will never forget.
This week we play a team called Ashkelon, they are one game ahead of us in the standings. They have a team with good chemistry and great shooters, but it's at our home so we look forward to getting back on the right track. Look forward to writing you after the game tomorrow and telling you about the victory from the game. Back to the gym until we get it right….Peace!
Son Of The City
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Yieldings from Bad Labor
What up! There is a famous cliché " You reap what you sow" and that is exactly what happened in our game on Sunday against Givat Schumel. Leading up to the game, I didn't fell like the team was practicing very well during the week and it showed when the game arrived. We opened the game very lethargic and didn’t posses any energy in the way we played. Similar to the successful teams that have come against us, Givat switched early on from man to man defense to 2-3 zone. We didn’t have any ball movement and penetration so they were able to be very effective in the zone in the first half.
The start of the second half our team was able to build a little momentum and add a little more energy to the game. We able to get the ball in transition and get some easy shots before their zone was able to set up. But time after time Givat was able to break our momentum with big shots in key moments. Our defense allowed them to shoot a high percentage from the field and it took a mental toll on our team. Despite the terrible first 38 minutes of the game, we were in a good position down four with two minutes to go and the ball. Our team wasn’t able to capitalize on the opportunities we were given and we suffered a bad home loss 88—77. It was another tough one for me with 16pts and 5rbs. So the team and myself must focus in and work hard this week because we play Holon, a very talented team who just won the Israeli Cup. The Israeli Cup is a single-game elimination tournament for the top eight teams in the mid-season.
Back to the Gym….Peace!
Son Of The City
The start of the second half our team was able to build a little momentum and add a little more energy to the game. We able to get the ball in transition and get some easy shots before their zone was able to set up. But time after time Givat was able to break our momentum with big shots in key moments. Our defense allowed them to shoot a high percentage from the field and it took a mental toll on our team. Despite the terrible first 38 minutes of the game, we were in a good position down four with two minutes to go and the ball. Our team wasn’t able to capitalize on the opportunities we were given and we suffered a bad home loss 88—77. It was another tough one for me with 16pts and 5rbs. So the team and myself must focus in and work hard this week because we play Holon, a very talented team who just won the Israeli Cup. The Israeli Cup is a single-game elimination tournament for the top eight teams in the mid-season.
Back to the Gym….Peace!
Son Of The City
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Exh. Game/ Free Time
What up!
This past weekend we had a exhibition game with Ramat Gan, a team we have already beaten once, because it was a bye week in the schedule for us. It was a good chance for us to get some practice against someone other than ourselves and work on some new things we have been implementing in practice. For me personally, I wanted to concentrate on sprinting the lanes and pushing the fastbreak whenever I got the rebound. The last game we lost against Haifa, I didn't get any easy basket or wasn't able to attack the basket in transition. The first half we did a good job of it and I was able to get easy baskets and get to the foul line often, where I often shoot a high percentage.
In the second half, Ramat Gan started to apply a soft press and dropped back into a 2-3 zone to slow us down. It worked a little to their advantage, but I was able to work on moving without the ball and getting into open spaces for shots. We won the game 86-82 and took a lot of positive things out of that game.
On another note, people ask me a lot of times what I am doing when I am not playing in games or practicing. Honestly, when I am not in the gym, I am at home brainstorming about everything. It is really the reason why I am involved in a lot of the activities that I am back home in Louisville, Ky. The Summer Basketball Classic Pro-Am, The Larry O'Bannon Foundation, Larry OBannon Basketball camp, etc.. is all brain stormed and put together during my down time while playing overseas. I wish that I could take the credit for everything but a lot of the ideas come from simple conversations with my family or an idea from a friend. I take my time on thinking it all the way through and if it is something that I want to go through with, then I start to write out the plan on paper. I try to find someone that has done a similar event in the past or has some knowledge in my area of interest so i can talk to them. If you were to walk into my european home, you would find a big desk in front on my couch with a bunch of papers scattered everywhere. But I know where everything is located and which papers go together, guess I need to buy some folder huh? lol.
I'm currently reading a book called Forty Million Dollar Slaves, it's a good book that gives a different perspectives on the athletics and where it orginated. Other than that, Im playing Madden on PS3 online or Im relaxing watching TV.
We have a big game coming up this sunday against Givet Schmuel, a team that is sitting one place ahead of us in the standings. They are also occupying the last playoff position, so it is very important that we get this victory and protect our home court. We must continue to stay intense in practice and maintain focus so that we may be sharp when game day arrives. Be back later this week to let you know how it turns out. God is Good! Peace...
Son Of The City
This past weekend we had a exhibition game with Ramat Gan, a team we have already beaten once, because it was a bye week in the schedule for us. It was a good chance for us to get some practice against someone other than ourselves and work on some new things we have been implementing in practice. For me personally, I wanted to concentrate on sprinting the lanes and pushing the fastbreak whenever I got the rebound. The last game we lost against Haifa, I didn't get any easy basket or wasn't able to attack the basket in transition. The first half we did a good job of it and I was able to get easy baskets and get to the foul line often, where I often shoot a high percentage.
In the second half, Ramat Gan started to apply a soft press and dropped back into a 2-3 zone to slow us down. It worked a little to their advantage, but I was able to work on moving without the ball and getting into open spaces for shots. We won the game 86-82 and took a lot of positive things out of that game.
On another note, people ask me a lot of times what I am doing when I am not playing in games or practicing. Honestly, when I am not in the gym, I am at home brainstorming about everything. It is really the reason why I am involved in a lot of the activities that I am back home in Louisville, Ky. The Summer Basketball Classic Pro-Am, The Larry O'Bannon Foundation, Larry OBannon Basketball camp, etc.. is all brain stormed and put together during my down time while playing overseas. I wish that I could take the credit for everything but a lot of the ideas come from simple conversations with my family or an idea from a friend. I take my time on thinking it all the way through and if it is something that I want to go through with, then I start to write out the plan on paper. I try to find someone that has done a similar event in the past or has some knowledge in my area of interest so i can talk to them. If you were to walk into my european home, you would find a big desk in front on my couch with a bunch of papers scattered everywhere. But I know where everything is located and which papers go together, guess I need to buy some folder huh? lol.
I'm currently reading a book called Forty Million Dollar Slaves, it's a good book that gives a different perspectives on the athletics and where it orginated. Other than that, Im playing Madden on PS3 online or Im relaxing watching TV.
We have a big game coming up this sunday against Givet Schmuel, a team that is sitting one place ahead of us in the standings. They are also occupying the last playoff position, so it is very important that we get this victory and protect our home court. We must continue to stay intense in practice and maintain focus so that we may be sharp when game day arrives. Be back later this week to let you know how it turns out. God is Good! Peace...
Son Of The City
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Tough Loss
Whats up! I just got back from a two day vacation trip to Italy to hang out and see some friends. Thats why I didn't have my normal blog up right after our game on Monday. It was a much needed and perfectly timed trip because I was really disappointed and upset from our performance after the game Saturday night. We don't have a game for two weeks, that's why our coach gave us a couple days off.
Saturday night we played a team called Haifa, from north Israel, who is currently sitting in third place in the standings. They are very athletic and have a good mix of talented American and Israeli players. From the opening tip, it was if our team were a bunch of deers in head lights. They played an aggressive man and box and 1 defense with a man face guarding me the whole game and my team didn't know how to respond. They clogged the middle with four players to keep us from driving and to help out on our big guy. We did not shoot well from the perimeter and could not get any rebounds offensively or defensively. As a result of that, we were not able to get in transition to get easy shots and my shots were very limited. It was very upsetting because they were leaving my teammates open to take shots that they normally make but they just were not falling. As I came off screens, I had a trailor and a big guy showing; Rotated to play the point guard and ran into a trap on every pick and roll. Still, I wasn't able to take a lot of shots but I could create shots for others. After all of that, we were still tied at 63 with three minutes to go in the 4th qtr. and me having fouled out in the third quarter was no help. Im not one to say this or that about referees because they do the best that they can do, but this night there was definitely some home cooking. In the third quarter, I was sprinting back on defense and it was one on one with a guy coming at me full steam. I read his crossover and picked it but the referee was anticipating a foul because typically in europe, teams foul in transition to prevent easy baskets. I was not only mad at the foul but he gave me an intention foul because I was the only man between him and the basket. Then after all of the frustration of my team playing with a lack of confidence and having limited opportunities, the referee gives me a phantom foul on a play I was nowhere near; I hadn't even crossed half court to get back on defense when the foul was called under our basket. Mistaken identity happens I guess, but after the score was tied at 63, Haifa shot free throws the rest of the game and came out on top 75-68. It was a very good game, both teams made runs throughout the game and I think the outcome would've been different had I played in the forth quarter. I had 13pts on 4/7 shooting ( 3/6 3-fg). We have two weeks of practice, so it good time for me to go over some game film and see where I can improve and keep the team going forward. Back to the gym.....Peace!
Son Of The City
Saturday night we played a team called Haifa, from north Israel, who is currently sitting in third place in the standings. They are very athletic and have a good mix of talented American and Israeli players. From the opening tip, it was if our team were a bunch of deers in head lights. They played an aggressive man and box and 1 defense with a man face guarding me the whole game and my team didn't know how to respond. They clogged the middle with four players to keep us from driving and to help out on our big guy. We did not shoot well from the perimeter and could not get any rebounds offensively or defensively. As a result of that, we were not able to get in transition to get easy shots and my shots were very limited. It was very upsetting because they were leaving my teammates open to take shots that they normally make but they just were not falling. As I came off screens, I had a trailor and a big guy showing; Rotated to play the point guard and ran into a trap on every pick and roll. Still, I wasn't able to take a lot of shots but I could create shots for others. After all of that, we were still tied at 63 with three minutes to go in the 4th qtr. and me having fouled out in the third quarter was no help. Im not one to say this or that about referees because they do the best that they can do, but this night there was definitely some home cooking. In the third quarter, I was sprinting back on defense and it was one on one with a guy coming at me full steam. I read his crossover and picked it but the referee was anticipating a foul because typically in europe, teams foul in transition to prevent easy baskets. I was not only mad at the foul but he gave me an intention foul because I was the only man between him and the basket. Then after all of the frustration of my team playing with a lack of confidence and having limited opportunities, the referee gives me a phantom foul on a play I was nowhere near; I hadn't even crossed half court to get back on defense when the foul was called under our basket. Mistaken identity happens I guess, but after the score was tied at 63, Haifa shot free throws the rest of the game and came out on top 75-68. It was a very good game, both teams made runs throughout the game and I think the outcome would've been different had I played in the forth quarter. I had 13pts on 4/7 shooting ( 3/6 3-fg). We have two weeks of practice, so it good time for me to go over some game film and see where I can improve and keep the team going forward. Back to the gym.....Peace!
Son Of The City
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Another Victory!
Well, I usually wait until the day after the game to write my blog but I am sitting here waiting for the Superbowl Game to come on TV, so I will just tell you about the game while I wait. We won today against Kiryat Ata, a team that is dead last in the Israeli standings 108-86. We played like we normally do, jumping to a big lead, and we were able to maintain it today. Even though it wasn't the best team, it is still something that we need to learn how to do.
Newcomer, Demarco Johnson, made his presence felt today in the middle in his debut game. He had 30 pts and 11 rebs. Robert Conley, the other wingman had an excellent game as well 28pts and 9 rebs. The game started out a lil slow for me, think the effects from last game were lingering around a little bit, but was missing some easy shots around the basket. After a few misses, I got it going with a post up on a smaller guard and went on to drop in 21 pts and grab 6 rebs. Went 6/11 FG's and 4/5 from 3pt. line. Only went to the foul line four times ( 3/4) and I have been averaging ten free throws a game. Still wasn't too pleased with my game because I am a player that thrives on efficiency and capitalizing on opportunities. Still, I'm very happy with the fact that we won and we are on a two game winning streak. The team is heading in the right direction and we started the second round of play with a victory. We play a team called Haifa next Sunday and they are No. 3 in the Israeli Standings. They are probably the most talented team in the league, so I am definitely going to have to be sharp from the gate in that game. Tomorrow we have a day off, so Im going to hit the weight room hard and work out in the swimming pool.
The Superbowl is coming on, think Im going with Arizona because I am a big Kurt Warner fan. Lets go Cards! Peace..
Son of The City
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