I’ve seen players at some of the highest levels (overseas, G-League, March Madness, etc). I’ve also seen many of those guys have no identity or joy once their careers come to an eventual end. It is easy to get caught up in the endless cycle of basketball - every time one season or event ends, it’s time for something else — this continues from middle school to high school, and then if you’re lucky college and the professional level.
Here is the important question: Are you using basketball (as a tool for your enjoyment & betterment)? Or is basketball using you?
Here are a few things to consider asking yourself:
• If you do not perform how you want to, is your sense of joy or value lessened?
• If you could no longer play basketball, would you still feel important and have things that make you happy?
• Does basketball feel like a job or a choice?
If you saw the new basketball movie “Hustle”, you’ll hear Adam Sandler tell the main character he must be obsessed with basketball to succeed.
There‘s no problem with this quote - I would say it’s true - but the important question to ask is:
Do you have an obsession with basketball? Or a reliance?
I see a lot of players with a RELIANCE on basketball. If this is the case, you are not “in love with the game”… you are SHACKLED to it.
Matthew 6:24 says “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other…” Don’t let basketball attempt to fill the void of what only the Lord can provide - a purpose and source of joy for your life.