A Lesson Learned
...for myself and no one else. It didn’t last long though. He took me aside, and explained how we must play together. I shook my head okay, but just so he would stop talking. I remember what he said, but never applied it to how I played the game. I didn’t play much varsity that year, even though I believed I was the best player. My actions that year cost me a lot of playing time. But I was sure next year I wouldn’t and couldn’t be denied my time to play on varsity. The next year came fast, but not fast enough. I wanted to play for sure, but I didn’t want to work at practice. I jogged line sprints, didn’t listen when coach talked, and played selfish only caring about myself. That year I played a lot of varsity, but not as much as I thought I would. I got into a couple altercations with my teammates and coaches. I needed a serious attitude adjustment, but I didn’t know that and didn’t want to admit it either. At the end of the season my coach asked me to come into his office and have a talk with him. Throughout the year, I developed more respect for my coach that I ever had. We talked about the year coming up. He explained to me that I must play basketball everyday and it was vital to develop a more consistent jump shot. But what came next was the most important advice I’ve ever received. He went on to tell me I must humble myself, the team will depend on how much we play together and trust each other. He told me, “no one is any one without someone.” My personal success would all depend on how the team did. I took every word he said to heart. This year came and I was ready to prove to myself, to others, and my teammates I was for real. I worked out in the...