You Think You Know But You Have No Idea!

Well today is Monday over here in Asia...the day after our second game and second victory in the Asean Basketball League (ABL). We won our first game against Brunei last Sunday and yesterday's match over the Philippine Patriots. It was a tough week leading up to the game. Most people just see the photos with the fans, the signing of autographs, the media interviews, or the nice uniforms and shoes with your name on them and think life is grand for a pro athlete overseas. On the contrary, life is not easy for a Singapore Slinger or a pro basketball player in general...you have no idea! Man, oh man this is country #15 in a short, but long pro career so far...working on my second passport...and feeling like I'm getting close to approaching the prime of my career. I can't complain because I am blessed to do something I love and actually get paid for it...but man there is so much that goes into getting to that game day. Our normal week consists of team practice, weight lifting, conditioning, individual workouts, film sessions, promotional work, basketball clinics and camps, ice baths, hot tubs, physical therapy, sports massages and last but not least mental preparation for the week's game or games. But back to the topic...life is good now in my career. I am playing for a great organization that is very professional in every manner. We have great fans, management, sponsors, and supporters. My teammates are a great group of guys, who are really good players, and have a lot of confidence in what I can do to help the team. Our facilities rival that of a smaller NBA franchise. Access to the Singapore Sports Council is priceless, with doctors, nutritionist, therapists, physios, trainers, and sports techs all ready and willing to help in any way. We have unbelievable media coverage (shout out to Francis our team photographer), not to mention the games being broadcast regionally on ESPN Asia. Everyone seems to be going out of their way to help us be successful in any way they can. After all we are representing an entire country and the first thing I noticed about Asia is each country takes pride in their flag and land. Most importantly, I have my wife over here with me for the first time in any country and I am enjoying spending time with her and taking in all the finer points of Singapore. Real talk this is the shopping capital of the world and so much to do and see here. Good luck to my salary...cant help but dig deep with all this going on over here. The one thing that sucks is we are missing our kids, but they are back home getting one of the finest educations that Texas has to offer. Shout out to mom and dad and skype for keeping us in touch with the lil' ones...we miss them so much! So factor all these things into the equation and know that yesterday was a big game for our organization...as it was re-emphasized to me by everyone numerous times throughout the week. Not to mention we were playing against an organization I once played for a year ago or so, who dogged me out, talked bad about me (yeah I speak Spanish and its similar enough to Tagalog to understand and translate), shorted me on money payments, and said I was a terrible import and blamed us losing @SEABA all on me....so you know I wanted to get the W! Well in the words of the famed Houston Hoops organization, my old AAU team.... no need to say anything to anyone...let the score do the talking....score board....score board! Over and done with...like Jay-Z...on to tha next one! Just gotta continue to lead from the front and work harder to get better each day...funny how hard work always pays off eventually! Friends, family, fans, and even the haters, keep up wit us @ http://www.singaporeslingers.com/, http://www.espnstar.com/, http://www.redhoops.com/, or http://www.redsports.com/. Remember: men lie, women lie....numbers don't! Holla at ya next go around...