From the magazine, "Get Motivated," comes an excellent article titled, How to Rebound From Setbacks: Ruben Gonzales, the three-time Olympian tells how he excelled in one of the Olympics’ most perilous sports --the lug.
Principle 1- Go All the Way: When you decide that quitting is not an option, you will soon be in the top 10 percent of your field. Odds are, ninety percent of your competition will simply give up!
Principle 2- Create a “Dream Team”: Ninety percent of success is determined by whom you associate with. So create a Dream Team of people around you who will encourage you through the toughest times.
Principle 3- Give Yourself a Pep Talk: It’s easy to get down when things aren’t going your way. After a bad luge run, sometimes I walk up and down the track for 20 minutes, saying: “I can do it! I will make it, because there’s always a way!” When you get down, pick yourself up and give yourself a pep talk.
Principle 4- Learn from Your Mistakes: High achievers believe that they will either do well at each task they tackle or they will learn something to help them win in future. As funny as it sounds, most successful people “fail their way upwards.” I was no different, crashing all the way to the top!
Principle 5-Recover Quickly: When winners make mistakes, they don’t waste time whining. They do whatever it takes to recover quickly, so they don’t lose their momentum. When a boxer gets knocked down, he has only 10 seconds to get back up. If he gets up in eleven seconds, he loses the fight. SO the next time you get knocked down, decide to act like a winner. Get up, take immediate action and make your dream a reality!
6.03.2009
MICHAEL JORDAN - PRACTICE HABITS
“I’ve always believed that if you put in the work, the results will come. I don’t do things halfheartedly. Because I know if I do, then I can expect halfhearted results. That’s why I approached practices the same way I approached games.”
MICHAEL JORDAN - HOW TO BE LIKE MIKE
Below is an excerpt from the book, "How To Be Like Mike."
“I’ve never seen anyone like Michael Jordan who would fight so hard not to lose,” said Washington Wizards owner Abe Pollin. “I’ve never seen anything like his drive.”
When Rex Chapman scored forty on him, Jordan responded in their next meeting with fifty. When Jerry Stackhouse scored nineteen points in the first half, Jordan held him scoreless in the second half — and scored forty-five points. “MJ might have a bad game,” said veteran pro Sam Cassell, “but never bad back-to-back games.”
Former NBA player Kenny Smith remembered, “When I played at North Carolina, all the NBA guys would come back to play in the summer. During the scrimmages, Michael wouldn't leave the court because he wanted to get the next game started to compete against them. He would go at them with such intensity. He wouldn't back down."
“I’ve never seen anyone like Michael Jordan who would fight so hard not to lose,” said Washington Wizards owner Abe Pollin. “I’ve never seen anything like his drive.”
When Rex Chapman scored forty on him, Jordan responded in their next meeting with fifty. When Jerry Stackhouse scored nineteen points in the first half, Jordan held him scoreless in the second half — and scored forty-five points. “MJ might have a bad game,” said veteran pro Sam Cassell, “but never bad back-to-back games.”
Former NBA player Kenny Smith remembered, “When I played at North Carolina, all the NBA guys would come back to play in the summer. During the scrimmages, Michael wouldn't leave the court because he wanted to get the next game started to compete against them. He would go at them with such intensity. He wouldn't back down."
MICHAEL JORDAN - PLAYING FOR KEEPS
Below is a small excerpt from "Playing For Keeps." There were several passages in the book that outlined the very reason why Michael Jordan was not just a great player but a dominate player.
"In pickup games, he had become unusually purposeful. There was a tendency in games like this, when there were no coaches around for player to resort to what they did best, to reinforce their strengths and avoid going to any part of their game that was essentially weak. But Jordan, Hale believed, was constantly working on the weaker part of his game, trying to bring it up. It was, Hale thought, one more sign of his desire to be the best."
"In pickup games, he had become unusually purposeful. There was a tendency in games like this, when there were no coaches around for player to resort to what they did best, to reinforce their strengths and avoid going to any part of their game that was essentially weak. But Jordan, Hale believed, was constantly working on the weaker part of his game, trying to bring it up. It was, Hale thought, one more sign of his desire to be the best."
JOHN STOCKTON
Step 1: Know what you can and cannot do.
Too many players try to make plays that are beyond their ability. John Stockton always knew what he could and could not do. He made the safe passes. He threw crisp chest passes, bounce passes and wrap around passes. He was not concerned about making high light reels; all he wanted to do was get his teammates in position to make an easy open shot. If you want to play like John Stockton, be unselfish and be a great passer.
Step2: Play for your teammates.
John Stockton could have averaged well over twenty points a game whenever he wanted. He was one of only a handful of point guards who consistently shot over fifty percent from the floor. He never averaged more than 17 points per game. He was dedicated to getting his teammates good shots. Everyone wanted to play with him as their point guard and if you can be a leader and run the show everyone will want to play with you.
Step3: Be tenacious.
One of the toughest players to get around when he set a pick was John Stockton. He was always setting screens on bigger players and drawing fouls because they would become agitated and finally just push him down. He was also tenacious on defense and worked very hard to get the ball back. He took pride in getting stops defensively.
Step4: Master the pick and roll.
The play that John Stockton was known for was running the pick and roll with Karl Malone. Every pick and roll that is run correctly puts the defense at a disadvantage. Once you know how to capitalize on that disadvantage you can play like John Stockton. You can dominate a defense and get your teammates easy shots.
Step5: Shoot accurately.
Stockton was a tremendous shooter. It was a great weapon that prevented defenses from sagging off of him. If you gave him even a little room, he could hit any shot from the three point line and in. In order to play like Stockton you need to be a big time shooter.
Too many players try to make plays that are beyond their ability. John Stockton always knew what he could and could not do. He made the safe passes. He threw crisp chest passes, bounce passes and wrap around passes. He was not concerned about making high light reels; all he wanted to do was get his teammates in position to make an easy open shot. If you want to play like John Stockton, be unselfish and be a great passer.
Step2: Play for your teammates.
John Stockton could have averaged well over twenty points a game whenever he wanted. He was one of only a handful of point guards who consistently shot over fifty percent from the floor. He never averaged more than 17 points per game. He was dedicated to getting his teammates good shots. Everyone wanted to play with him as their point guard and if you can be a leader and run the show everyone will want to play with you.
Step3: Be tenacious.
One of the toughest players to get around when he set a pick was John Stockton. He was always setting screens on bigger players and drawing fouls because they would become agitated and finally just push him down. He was also tenacious on defense and worked very hard to get the ball back. He took pride in getting stops defensively.
Step4: Master the pick and roll.
The play that John Stockton was known for was running the pick and roll with Karl Malone. Every pick and roll that is run correctly puts the defense at a disadvantage. Once you know how to capitalize on that disadvantage you can play like John Stockton. You can dominate a defense and get your teammates easy shots.
Step5: Shoot accurately.
Stockton was a tremendous shooter. It was a great weapon that prevented defenses from sagging off of him. If you gave him even a little room, he could hit any shot from the three point line and in. In order to play like Stockton you need to be a big time shooter.
ALBERT PUJOLS
Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals might be the best young hitter in the history of the game.
But there is something behind his stat sheets, thats not shown on highlight shows, or seen by the fans. "What you don't see is how hard I work, how hard I prepare," he says.
Pujols has just finished one of his daily 2 1/2-hour off-season workouts. He lifts weights, watches videos of pitchers he'll face during the season, and spends serious time in the batting cage.
Despite his star status, he was one of the first position players on the Cardinals to arrive at spring training this season. He spent much of that time polishing his play at first base.
During the season, Pujols arrives early for games, takes cuts in the batting cages to make sure his swing is smooth, and watches more video on the opposing pitcher.
"Albert is so professional in his approach, whether it's the winter, the spring, or the summer," says Cardinal manager Tony La Russa.
All that study and preparation helps explain why Pujols is a fast starter (.385 average last April) and why, unlike other hot starters, he keeps punishing pitchers as the season progresses. In 2003, Pujols hit a hefty .346 after the All-Star break and ended the regular season with the majors' best average: .359.
"God gave me this natural ability," says Pujols. "But it's even better when you work hard and you put those two things together. [Then], it's unbelievable."
But there is something behind his stat sheets, thats not shown on highlight shows, or seen by the fans. "What you don't see is how hard I work, how hard I prepare," he says.
Pujols has just finished one of his daily 2 1/2-hour off-season workouts. He lifts weights, watches videos of pitchers he'll face during the season, and spends serious time in the batting cage.
Despite his star status, he was one of the first position players on the Cardinals to arrive at spring training this season. He spent much of that time polishing his play at first base.
During the season, Pujols arrives early for games, takes cuts in the batting cages to make sure his swing is smooth, and watches more video on the opposing pitcher.
"Albert is so professional in his approach, whether it's the winter, the spring, or the summer," says Cardinal manager Tony La Russa.
All that study and preparation helps explain why Pujols is a fast starter (.385 average last April) and why, unlike other hot starters, he keeps punishing pitchers as the season progresses. In 2003, Pujols hit a hefty .346 after the All-Star break and ended the regular season with the majors' best average: .359.
"God gave me this natural ability," says Pujols. "But it's even better when you work hard and you put those two things together. [Then], it's unbelievable."
KOBE BRYANT
Shaquille O'Neal said that he has never had a teammate that worked as hard as Kobe and that we was borderline possessed about working out each day. He said that the workouts were long and difficult. Not just working on shooting, which Shaq said he did daily and at a rigorous speed, but also on the fundamentals, conditioning and in the weightroom. There is a rumor that Kobe refers to his regiment as the "Devil Workout" because it includes 6 hours a day, 6 days a week, 6 months a year.
Derek Fisher was asked to use one word to describe Kobe Bryant..."Warrior"
Derek Fisher was asked to use one word to describe Kobe Bryant..."Warrior"
LARRY BIRD
While playing for the Celtics, Larry Bird's daily program included a long-distance run, practice games with teammates, multiple sit-ups, and short-distance runs all sandwiched between lengthy shooting drills. No wonder he was such a superb fourth-quarter player -- he was in better shape than anyone else.
More than 15 years later, Bird astounded many of the Pacers players by running a mile in 5:20. That achievement set the tone for the conditioning program the team endured over the summer as they approached training camp.
Veterans and rookies alike knew Bird had been obsessed with practice when he was with the Celtics, often showing up hours early so he could work on every face of his game. Other NBA coaches had used Bird as an example of a superb work ethics. One brought his team to Boston Garden early to see number 33 in action. To his amazement, Larry wasn't on the court. Embarrassed, the coach headed for the sidelines before looking up to see Bird running on the track. He was working on his conditioning that day.
While most players waltzed into the locker room the required 90 minutes before game time, Bird has been on the floor by at least 6:00, more than two hours before tip-off. In the loneliness of Boston Garden, with only attendants and a few Celtics season ticket holders present, Bird shot more than 300 practice shots. He'd start with 6 to 10 free throws, move out on the court a bit, and then start firing away at a comfortable pace. Then he would speed up the routine and by the end of the workout throw up rapid-fire shots. "I really don't count my shots," Bird said. "I just shoot until I feel good."
The shooting practice was reflective of Bird's desire and his love for the game. "That's the number one thing, the desire," he explained. "The ability to do the things you have to do to become a basketball player. I don't think you can teach desire. I don't know why I have it, but I do."
More than 15 years later, Bird astounded many of the Pacers players by running a mile in 5:20. That achievement set the tone for the conditioning program the team endured over the summer as they approached training camp.
Veterans and rookies alike knew Bird had been obsessed with practice when he was with the Celtics, often showing up hours early so he could work on every face of his game. Other NBA coaches had used Bird as an example of a superb work ethics. One brought his team to Boston Garden early to see number 33 in action. To his amazement, Larry wasn't on the court. Embarrassed, the coach headed for the sidelines before looking up to see Bird running on the track. He was working on his conditioning that day.
While most players waltzed into the locker room the required 90 minutes before game time, Bird has been on the floor by at least 6:00, more than two hours before tip-off. In the loneliness of Boston Garden, with only attendants and a few Celtics season ticket holders present, Bird shot more than 300 practice shots. He'd start with 6 to 10 free throws, move out on the court a bit, and then start firing away at a comfortable pace. Then he would speed up the routine and by the end of the workout throw up rapid-fire shots. "I really don't count my shots," Bird said. "I just shoot until I feel good."
The shooting practice was reflective of Bird's desire and his love for the game. "That's the number one thing, the desire," he explained. "The ability to do the things you have to do to become a basketball player. I don't think you can teach desire. I don't know why I have it, but I do."
DEREK FISHER - A STEADYING FORCE
Pick up a stat sheet after a Lakers playoff game and it would be easy to single out Derek Fisher for criticism. Yet, the numbers don't tell the story of his true significance to his team. They never have.
The 6-foot-1 point guard, born and raised in Little Rock, Ark., may be the smallest and oldest (34) player on the Lakers' roster, but he has undoubtedly been the team's steadying force.
"Fisher's the rock of this team," Lakers forward Luke Walton said. "Basketball has a lot of emotions and ups and downs, and there is a lot that happens on and off the court that the average fan doesn't see, but ever since they brought Fish back, he instantly made us a better team. Just his presence made us better. Just having him on the team and on the court is a bonus."
Fisher's statistical impact in the regular season and postseason this year has been the lowest in five years, but his effect on the team's growth and maturation has never been greater.
It was Fisher who gathered the Lakers when they were down by seven points in the fourth quarter of Game 3 of the Western Conference finals against the Nuggets in Denver and implored his teammates to fulfill their potential. "This is a moment in time when you can define yourself," Fisher told them. "This is a moment when you can step into that destiny." It's a speech teammates cite as a turning point in their postseason, as the Lakers rallied to win 103-97 to take a 2-1 series lead.
In the previous round, it was Fisher who uncharacteristically laid out Luis Scola with a forearm shiver -- earning his first career suspension -- in an effort to dispel the notion that the Lakers were "soft" against the Rockets.
And it is Fisher who constantly works with backup point guards Jordan Farmar and Shannon Brown after practice, going over situations that they will face on the court.
"Derek is a leader, he's a spokesperson to the team," coach Phil Jackson said. "He knows what's important to us and what the focus should be. A lot of things that a coach can't say all the time with emotions and expressions, he does. He gives a real essence to the game and he has a great way of presenting it to his teammates. He ignites our team."
In his only season in Utah, Fisher played in every game and served as a mentor for Deron Williams as the Jazz made it to the conference finals for the first time in nearly a decade.
"It's no coincidence that he's made every team he's been on better," Lakers forward Lamar Odom said. "He's our captain. His leadership qualities are incredible. He's been a champion before and he knows how to win. Derek is a man we look up to on and off the court."
The 6-foot-1 point guard, born and raised in Little Rock, Ark., may be the smallest and oldest (34) player on the Lakers' roster, but he has undoubtedly been the team's steadying force.
"Fisher's the rock of this team," Lakers forward Luke Walton said. "Basketball has a lot of emotions and ups and downs, and there is a lot that happens on and off the court that the average fan doesn't see, but ever since they brought Fish back, he instantly made us a better team. Just his presence made us better. Just having him on the team and on the court is a bonus."
Fisher's statistical impact in the regular season and postseason this year has been the lowest in five years, but his effect on the team's growth and maturation has never been greater.
It was Fisher who gathered the Lakers when they were down by seven points in the fourth quarter of Game 3 of the Western Conference finals against the Nuggets in Denver and implored his teammates to fulfill their potential. "This is a moment in time when you can define yourself," Fisher told them. "This is a moment when you can step into that destiny." It's a speech teammates cite as a turning point in their postseason, as the Lakers rallied to win 103-97 to take a 2-1 series lead.
In the previous round, it was Fisher who uncharacteristically laid out Luis Scola with a forearm shiver -- earning his first career suspension -- in an effort to dispel the notion that the Lakers were "soft" against the Rockets.
And it is Fisher who constantly works with backup point guards Jordan Farmar and Shannon Brown after practice, going over situations that they will face on the court.
"Derek is a leader, he's a spokesperson to the team," coach Phil Jackson said. "He knows what's important to us and what the focus should be. A lot of things that a coach can't say all the time with emotions and expressions, he does. He gives a real essence to the game and he has a great way of presenting it to his teammates. He ignites our team."
In his only season in Utah, Fisher played in every game and served as a mentor for Deron Williams as the Jazz made it to the conference finals for the first time in nearly a decade.
"It's no coincidence that he's made every team he's been on better," Lakers forward Lamar Odom said. "He's our captain. His leadership qualities are incredible. He's been a champion before and he knows how to win. Derek is a man we look up to on and off the court."
OFFENSIVE EFFICIENCY
Doug Collins likes to measure scorers' efficiency by dividing points by field goal attempts. A ratio of 1 point per shot is a victory for the defense. A ratio of 1.4 and above is a good night for the shooter. In Bryant's last two games against Denver he was at 1.69 and 1.75.
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