Re: If you could play basketball at an elite level what kind of mindset would you have?
2x champion
1x MVP
5x all-star
My mentality and game has always been close to jkidd's (less rebounder, better mid-range). My favorite part of the game is running the offense the way it should be ran. i like j Kidd because he uses his mind to dominate the game.
My strengths are mid-range shooting, quick first step, great at getting assists, and I love guarding the opposing teams best player (as long as he's a pg or sg).
Re: If you could play basketball at an elite level what kind of mindset would you have?
unfortunately, if I was so talented, I'd probably go the way of someone like Len Bias/MRR/David Thompson
the temptations of drug use/partying with women nightly would probably take its toll on me (lol if I end up in finance it still might)...gotta respect these guys for keeping their heads on straight and staying focussed (relatively speaking of course, for the most part)
Re: If you could play basketball at an elite level what kind of mindset would you have?
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Originally Posted by Heavincent
Not gonna lie, I'd probably be in it for the $$$
I believe I would be in the same boat. I've never been able to convince myself that if I received multiple millions of dollars for playing basketball, that I'd be able to bring about the same hunger and drive. The minute I signed that $5-$100 million dollar contract, I'd have succeeded in my own mind. I'd still compete, but that do or die attitude would likely go out the window pretty quickly.
I also think I'd quickly grow tired of the life. I'm not a nightlife person in terms of bars and clubs and whatnot. I'm also not someone who enjoys creating superficial relationships. I like being able to establish myself somewhere while building strong and reliable friendships. The NBA, of course, would be the complete opposite of that. 8-9 months of nearly non-stop cross country travel, a significant portion of teammates I'd probably struggle greatly to relate to, a family back home I'd never get to see, and a business end of basketball I'd probably rather do without... I think I'd become jaded.
As such, I think my mindset would be to gather all the money while I could, then "make the best" of my situation from there on out. I'd like to think I'd be big on entertaining fans. If I were an elite athlete, I'd try to showcase that whenever possible, keeping in mind that I'm getting paid because people want to see something great.
Re: If you could play basketball at an elite level what kind of mindset would you have?
I'd acknowledge the temptations of all the craziness that comes with being an elite athlete, but I'd do everything i my power to keep grounded. I won't lie, I like attention. I like being the showman leader kind of guy, but everyone who knows me knows that despite all the cocky jokes, tongue-in-cheek comments, and macho bravado, I'm as nice and humble as they come. I never really liked to think of myself as that back then, but the more I acknowledged my being that, the more I was able to achieve stuff. I'm also incredibly competitive and hungry. I played HS ball, but being in a truthfully crappy school when it comes to athletics, I didn't have a chance to show myself really. Now, being in undoubtedly THE university over here, I have a chance and people around the team are starting to take notice.
Re: If you could play basketball at an elite level what kind of mindset would you have?
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Originally Posted by Quickening
I would throw team mates under the bus to divert attention away from me, and pull lots of war hero faces in clutch time, meaning its irrelevant whether I make the shot or not.
Re: If you could play basketball at an elite level what kind of mindset would you have?
I'd be a hustle type player who can hit wide open jump shots and can score some (against bad defenders).
Kinda like a Bruce Bowen, Jarret Jack, Jannero Pargo, etc...
I would definitely accept being a role player earning $1.5 mil/year. Averaging about 5.5 ppg, 2 apg, 3 rpg, 74% FT, 44FG% for about 19 MPG.
Like Derrick Rose (minus his skills and athleticism), most people on message boards would say, "Damn [9512] is a social retawd!"
In the locker room though, it will be difficult. I am the type of guy MJ would pick on like he did on Bill Cartwright and Horace Grant. So yea I wouldn't be a popular player.
I hope I would know how to say "no" to fake friends who come out of the woodwork to borrow money and freeloading relatives.
I hope no predatory groupies will target me like they did with Shawn Kemp. Seduce my naive a$$, get pregnant, and extort me for child support money.
Truth is I would enjoy the fans' admiration and anything positive but the negative press I won't probably be able to handle.
I'd definitely not get married during my playing days. I'd wait until I was done playing ball and wait at least 5 more years before settling down. I wouldn't want a chick who knew too much about basketball, who knows how much money I made, marry me for the money.
I am cheapskate and not the most materialistic guy so therefore I will not be one of those guys who go broke 5 years after retiring. I will live below my means like a guy who earns less than $50k/year. This means my kids and maybe their kids will still benefit a bit from my NBA money.
Re: If you could play basketball at an elite level what kind of mindset would you have?
Quote:
Originally Posted by jongib369
I'm kinda soft spoken and "socially awkward" like rose...I wouldn't give a damn to do interviews before, during or after the game... But I would occasionally to let the fans know I respect and thank them for allowing me to get paid for playing the game I love....If I didn't have a family I'd honestly live in a basketball court...Put my mattress at half court and practice every damn day lmao.
I'd also play for minimum contract even if I was a major player/star. I play for the game and the game only...**** publicity, and **** big money. I don't need anything fancy, just give me a court, some shoes and a ball and I'm set.
No situational narcissism for me thank you very much lol..
I'd be serious as **** on court, and I'd do w/e it takes to win. Simple Fundamental team ball with a quite obsession/rage to win.
If you could make 10 million a year, there is no way you would take 600,000 a year just for the F of it.
Re: If you could play basketball at an elite level what kind of mindset would you have?
I'd try to be a good teammate first and foremost, both on the court and in the locker room.
I'd also do everything to develop a niche as quickly as possible so I can stay in the league, whether rebounding/defense/screen setting or catch and shooting.
Re: If you could play basketball at an elite level what kind of mindset would you have?
