But yesterday we squared up against a team that had 6 players total, one of whom was female. My team is five men. So you see where this is going right? There's a chauvinist in me who isn't about to be beaten by a girl. I know, I know. And so the game starts and she's pretty good, not for a girl. She's good! She hit a couple of 3's and played almost the entire game. She was a fundamental player knowing when to cut, how to fade and shape up to the ball for shots and how to screen.
So on one play I saw her on my left peripheral preparing to set a screen on the ball meaning she was about to block me on my left so that I couldn't slide into a proper defensive position to stop the point guard from attacking the basket. Well, I did what all good defenders do (I think) and leveled her. And I know that sounds mean and brutish. Referees quickly called an offensive foul on me saying that I ran through the screen. I yelled at the ref that I can't control the "differential". I literally used that word so as not to say, "It's not my fault she's not as strong as me."
Now let's pause.
Back to my Core 12. RESPECT UP, DOWN and ACROSS is a term that I use in my 6IXTH MAN approach to character. It means that I show a reverence for all people no matter how I may view them. It means that I honor people because they have been created by God.
When I knocked that young lady down, it was one of those moments where I could hide behind the basketball play. "That's the price you pay in hoop for attempting a screen." I believe that. Really I do. Basketball is physical and knows no gender. It's a game. HOWEVER!!!! I took it personal that she'd try to step in front of me. IN FRONT OF ME! I knew I was being arrogant in the moment, in my mind and I believe it was a poor display because of what I was exuding. The referees knew I was making an immature power play and they responded.
See, I know at least three other ways to handle a screen. I could have easily closed my space to my defender and gone over the top of the screen. That's what I normally do, especially in a league where the art of screening is raw. I didn't even help her up. I'm still learning that fine line between competing and being human. As I reflect, all I can say is that the level I took it to yesterday didn't match the type of game being played. Pick on someone my own size? That's kind of how I came to look at the situation. Still unsure. Was I dirty in putting that girl on the floor? Her team was destroying us at the moment. And she wasn't a small woman. But where was my mind and more importantly my estimation of the scenario: A balmy Sunday in Pasadena in a game that no one will remember. Perspective is necessary.
I think the team we played yesterday respected me. Every time I switched to guard someone they said, "Damn man, why do you have to guard me?" That always makes me laugh. My response is usually something like, "Somebody needs to guard you. You're killin' us." The moral: If you're losing a game, it's because the other team respects you. They are coming after you because they respect your ability to beat them. Question is...how will you respond to counter the energy? #core6of12 #Respect
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