AGAINST THE ODDS
Anyone who has fought AGAINST THE ODDS has a story where that POWER OF ONE was born. Mine was solidified the summer after 9th grade. I reluctantly convey the following (I despise those tooting their own horns), but do so, due to the earnest appeals from my children, for posterity (who knows how many grains of sand I have left):
BACKGROUND:
I always had an advantage over my athletic peers given the fact that I learned every competitive sport at the same time as my older brother (2 years my age). Regarding basketball, I was extremely fortunate enough to have my father befriend Joe Dellosso (a B-ball phenom in his younger age). When I was in 4th grade Coach Dellosso taught me how to proficiently dribble behind my back and thereafter instilled a point guard prowess that eventually developed into a high basketball IQ. All through elementary and middle school I was leaps and bounds ahead of my peers- until everyone (but me) enjoyed a growth spurt. It became obvious in my 9th grade.
9TH GRADE:
After working in a steel mill all day, my father came to pick me up after basketball practice. There were 16 players, and I was ALL ALONE (who knows why) shooting at a basket by myself. The 1st string, 2nd string, & 3rd string were situated at their respective baskets on the court drilling various plays. I guess I WAS [The 4th String]! Either way- I was a bench warmer, something I never experienced before. My father, an athlete in his own right, approached Coach Gibb (a nerd non-athlete Math teacher forced to coach the 9th Grade team):
Dad: “Is Tommy on the 1st string?”
Coach Gibb: “No.”
Dad:” Is Tommy on the 2nd string?”
Coach Gibb: “No.”
Dad: “I see...”
THE RIDE HOME:
After practice, on the ride home, my father had a COME TO JESUS conversation with me. He asked me if I loved basketball, and I said I did. He asked me if I really wanted to play the sport by the time I was a senior, and I said I did. He then gave me a reality check.
REALITY CHECK:
Dad: “Son, I’m going to tell you something that may hurt your feelings. But it is the truth, and you need to know this if you are ever going to be successful in basketball.” (I remained silent) …
He paused, then tendered the following epiphany that forever changed how I view the world: “You’re not the tallest, you’re not the strongest, and you’re not the fastest kid on the team- but if you ever want to play 1st string by the time you’re a senior, you are going to have to DOUBLE (in points) the BEST Point Guard on that team.” (I knew the exact nemesis he was referring to, a natural athletic specimen ☹) …
He continued, ”I’m not sure you’re up to the task.” (Now keep in mind, my endearing father shaped me like clay, and knew exactly what would break me or PROVOKE ME, as he was the ultimate strategist).
Listening intently, I knew in my heart of hearts he was telling the TRUTH. He was absolutely correct- I wasn’t tall, strong, or fast… I literally broke down hearing my father’s spot-on illumination. I internally asked myself, ‘how can I possibly DOUBLE THE BEST without being the tallest, strongest, or fastest?’ …FOR REAL?!
In retrospect (many-many years later)- I humbly realized that although there were some obvious deficits, there were also some ADVANTAGES: I was by far the quickest moving laterally. I had the fastest hands, as every coach I ever played for, attested to. In addition, I easily picked up plays, had a high sports IQ, and could match even the elite athlete in hand-eye coordination. Although the odds were still against me, POTENTIALLY, I did possess some God-given intangibles, that if combined with an unmatched work-ethic (The X-FACTOR)- could yield a formidable skill set.
THAT SUMMER (AGAINST THE ODDS):
I am not sure when it literally hit me, when I accepted the insurmountable challenge- AGAINST THE ODDS. Perhaps it was when I read about the legacy of Pistol Pete Maravich. A Gym-Rat (like myself), he said he would ENDLESSLY practice, because he knew someone OUT THERE was also practicing. Being the EXTREMIST that I am, I whole-heartedly adopted that approach and willing waged combat against the overwhelming obstacles (AGAINST THE ODDS). In addition, I followed my father’s perceptive strategy to the letter: “Do not waste your time just playing anyone, ONLY play 1-on-1 with someone better & older!” Additionally, I spent countless hours by myself honing my dribbling & shooting skills. The ball & I- BECAME ONE! I soon lived, breathed, and ate basketball: I went to collegiate basketball camps, studied tapes of NBA pros, and emulated ALL of their moves. Fortuitously, I found a comic book called The Adapter that fought the Fantastic Four. He had the amazing ability to mimic the powers of his opponent. This gave me he idea to combine (in whatever innovative fashion I instinctively desired), the various trademark moves of the pros. In my mind- I was The Adapter! In the course thereof, I learned how to implement my God-Given CREATIVITY- composing my own unique moves. Creativity became the HALLMARK OF MY PLAY- another intangible that could level the playing field!
FAST FORWARD (SENIOR YEAR):
From 10th grade on- I obsessively counted every point (IN EVERY GAME OR PRACTICE) that my nemesis scored, and I played with EXTREME intense passion on EVERY (and I mean E-V-E-R-Y possession). My tenacity was unmatched and as my skills sets increased exponentially, I played like a POET (standing out on the court. By the time I was a senior, I made sure I doubled everyone (most of the time). They could not deny me, even in my junior year. I battled the deficit with a vengeful FORCE- AGAINST THE ODDS.
FROM THAT POINT FORWARD:
After overcoming the odds, The Power of One was born. From that point forward- I did not care what the odds were, and what obstacle or what opponent stood before me. I truly believed in ME (The Adapter 😊). Oh, I have had many defeats along the way, as well as countless victories, but losing never defined me. I went up against super athletes, and I proved (to myself) that I could compete with them. I ingratiated the Vince Lombardi theory, “We didn't lose the game; we just ran out of time.” Indeed: I do not believe in defeat- because I do not believe in Self-Defeat.
INSIGHTFUL QUOTES (THAT SPEAK):
“Adversity introduces a man to himself.” – Albert Einstein
“Rock bottom became the solid foundation in which I built my life.” – J.K. Rowling
“I can be changed by what happens to me, but I refuse to be reduced by it…You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated.” – Maya Angelou
“You never know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice.”– Bob Marley
“The power of one is above all things the power to believe in yourself, often well beyond any latent ability you may have previously demonstrated.” ― Bryce Courtenay
“Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.” – MAHATMA GANDHI
“If you aren’t in OVER YOUR HEAD, how do you know how tall you are? “-T.S. Eliot
P.S. The Power of One is evident when you can lose- and STILL remain UNDEFEATED!
Only he/she who understands that Koan, can SUMMON FORTH THE POWER to wage war AGAINST THE ODDS. Hear, Hear!…from the Lookout Post.