Commitment

Commitment

noun
1. the trait of sincere and steadfast fixity of purpose; "a man of energy and commitment" [syn: committedness]
2. the act of binding yourself (intellectually or emotionally) to a course of action; "his long commitment to public service"; "they felt no loyalty to a losing team"
3. a message that makes a pledge
4. the official act of consigning a person to confinement (as in a prison or mental hospital)

Some of us are commited to success and some of us have been commited to the bench or to losing due to lack of preparation and focus. Let's look at some examples:


Commitment: Player makes a pledge to get 20 points per game by following the formula I layed out last week. You need to score 5 points per quarter or every 8 minutes. Here are a few ways to do it. Make 1 lay-up, get an offensive rebound and put-back or tip in, get a breakaway steal for a lay-up, cut back-door for a lay-up, get fouled in the act of shooting, get out and run on the break and score in transition. No fancy cross-overs, or streetball tricks required.



Now do you believe me?

These guys aren't fully commited, just ask Bulls Coach Vinny Del Negro:

"I can handle mistakes. But I can't handle lack of effort. And I can't handle lack of commitment to the team. Those guys know that. They're working better. That's always a work in progress with a young team."

Such words suggest a transgression along the lines of Thomas skipping practice last season in premeditated fashion, which drew a two-game suspension from general manager John Paxson. Del Negro denied any such wrongdoing had occurred and responded to a follow-up question about the shortcomings of Noah and Thomas by explaining his philosophy of commitment.

"Commitment is coming in with energy every day, with focus, trying to get better, lifting weights, being on time, paying attention in meetings, being ready to play, knowing what your role is, who you're guarding, what their strengths and weaknesses are, how you can affect the team in a positive way," he said. "Commitment is being a professional, working every day to get better individually. As that happens, the team gets better."

Thomas has played 5 minutes 6 seconds the last two games and recorded his first "Did Not Play—Coach's Decision" of the season in Tuesday's victory over the Knicks. Noah didn't play at all in Saturday's victory over Washington, then responded with five rebounds and four blocks in 19 minutes Tuesday.

"He put in extra work running and learning plays," Del Negro said. "No question he had an effect on the game."

Thomas' disappearance from the rotation comes on the heels of back-to-back effective performances in the home loss to the 76ers and road loss to the Bucks. He averaged 10.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in those games.

Thomas has been more open and outgoing with the media this season but declined to address reporters through a team spokesman Wednesday. He did so seconds after pleasantly initiating greetings with reporters as he walked into the off-limits locker room.

"It's not just one guy," Del Negro said. "As a team, we have to jell and there are always bumps. If guys commit to the team, they'll get a chance."


The Dangers of Summer Ball Success:

Every summer from coast to coast players and non-players alike flood the streets looking for a run. Summer Ball became so endearing it birthed that red-headed child named "Street Ball". Summer or Streetball is an opportunity to go to the park or gym and hear ooohs and aaahs and pick up lousy habits including bad shot selection, no transition or help defense, and a myriad of other bad habits. Perhaps the most dangerous risk of summer or streetball in my eyes is injury. Why risk getting hurt or taking time away from training and development for some false pride and a bunch of meaningless ooohs and aahhs. When you have a guaranteed NBA Contract you have nothing to prove to the people in the street. If they doubt you go out and prove it on a nightly basis and they can come and see your work live and in person. At the end of the day what does trying to prove yourself in their eyes really accomplish? Not convinced, o.k. I can think of $111 million reasons not to:




Ok so you say its not about the money..... I offer exhibit B



Do this all summer and this happens.........



Can't do what you did in Summer League and expect to be successful when money is on the line!!


Trash Talk

So many do it, only a few can truly back it up. If you're one of the few who can back it up it is entertaining. If you can't back it up it does make you look quite foolish. Take a look at my list of favorite trash-talkers. Some on the list might surprise you: