1. Don't Call It a Comeback
I was out at the local park trying to get a workout today. There's the typical segregation of ballers. The Baller Court. The Kids Court. The Scrubs. The Oldies. The Average. And so on...
I'm currently recovering from a serious foot injury, so I haven't been playing any games lately. I've only started shooting again. All of sudden, all the ballers decided to change courts and join mine. They must have seen me put on a shooting display. Anyways, they decided to start a game. I was going to sit out, but I got picked first. WTH? These guys are 6'0 and 6'5 and in their primes, and I get picked first? I am older, hurt, out of shape, and not as physically gifted. If I weren't hurt, I wouldn't care because I got tricks. But oh well, Warriors don't make excuses, so I just played along...
First touch of the game and my defender jumps right on me. They have clearly seen me shoot in practice, so I am not going to surprise them and I am not going to get any freebies. I do a Eurostep and a 12ft scoop. I am pretty sure these kids don't see that move everyday, and it's probably the only thing I can do since I can't jump (but they don't know that I can't jump).
Second play for us, and I get the ball again. They are just looking at me expecting me to do something. Well, I didn't catch and shoot, and I don't have the speed to rise up or drive. So I just back down my defender, who has a 6in advantage on me (strangely enough, their shortest guy wasn't guarding me). The kid clearly didn't know how to play post defense. He reached, and I taught. I simply did a turnaround hook.
Third play, I get an open jumper.
We eventually won the game. We went on a 5 game win streak before losing. I resorted to being a passer. I didn't shoot much since there was another guy who could shoot. I missed too many layups and dishes. I simply didn't have the hops to finish. I still scored enough, and my teammates were good enough. We could have won the entire night if I weren't hurt. These kids were good, but they simply didn't have the experience to win. Maybe in a couple of years they will surpass me. They at least have the physical talents to surpass me.
I may never be the player I once was, but I am not looking to make a comeback. These days, it's all just about exercise and fun.