Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Too Scared to Drive

It's the fear of the height, the crash, and the block. The clogged center of the paint that only real warriors aspire to flee. It's an anomaly that constantly requires grit and dirty work to earn the easy two... But, define "easy." That definition lies between a 15 foot lane that is the difference between a poster and a prodigy. An area where legend can grow or wilt, become hammered or slashed, picked or poisoned. It can be the fast lane or the lane of 5 o'clock traffic. Either way, some people are just too scared to drive.

The step back shooters, fade away lifers, and the live and die three-point heavers all have this worry of the drive. They fail to take on the consequences of the easy bucket and lack the guts of driving it in towards the defense. These guys may not have the skills to take the 2-3 dribbles to penetrate this portion of the floor, but most of the time it is fear. They can't take the bruises or the opportunity to open up the floor for their teammates. The thought of doing something so selfless clearly irks their style of play, but what ever pays the bills right? We all know who these guys are and we know their passion is only part time for what this game provides.

I used to be that guy. The step back, fall away jumper, Oo-&Aw the crowd guy with his white man composition as though I don't belong. But I try to drive more often, knowing my teammates will be ready and available to make the next best percentage play. It takes time to accept this challenge, to be a man and understand that % > 3's & Glamour. Knowing that bruises build character instead of lifting three's on the break. Where a slashing cut and a two foot bounce pass can stop a defense on a dime instead of swinging it on the perimeter, waiting for something to happen.

Driving can help eliminate this stagnant style of play, making the game more colorful than it has become. Three-pointers have become parallel to obesity in this country where lethargic habits become the norm. The ones that make these habits ordinary may never find critical thinking as an important entity in their pursuit of life. Driving can only open ones mind helping us understand how the other five guys will react. Adjustment will come later, but the drive will force the comfort to dissipate and make scrambled eggs sunny side up.

So I challenge you to drive the lane, make an attempt to get out of your comfort zone, and help your team win the game by opening up another door. Three-pointers are nice, but they are like having too much fast-food; the more you shoot, the shorter you live. Drive the lane, take the pain, and push fear out of the passengers seat.

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