The 2014 Book List

Since I started picking up books in 2012, I have been sharing my reading list once the year ends. I think it's great to share what everyone is reading. I am always looking for book suggestions. This year, I am happy I reached the 20 book-benchmark. It was a hard year for reading enjoyable books; I am currently finishing grad school and, thus, many academic journals and textbooks were given priority. Perhaps my biggest recommendation from this list was Leaders Eat Last. Check out lists from 2013 and 2012.

1. The Assist by Neil Swidey
2. The Philosophy of Sin by Oswald Chambers
3. Crazy Busy by Kevin DeYoung
4. Pursuing Christ. Creating Art. by Gary A. Molander
5. Contagious by Jonah Berger
6. The Professor Plus More NW Sports Stories by David Espinoza
7. Lead...For God’s Sake by Todd Gongwer
8. Youtility by Jon Baer
9. The Truest Thing About You by David Lomas
10. You Are a Writer by Jeff Goins
11. Mind Gym by Gary Mack
12. Multiply by Francis Chan
13. The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Clairborne
14. Ruthless Trust by Brennan Manning
15. The Souls of Black Folks W.E.B. DuBois
16. The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
17. Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
18. Lion and Lamb by Brennan Manning
19. Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek
20. Notes From a Blue Bike by Tsh Oxenreider

I am always looking for new book to go through. My list is already long for 2015, which makes me look forward to the new year.

#LiftAsYouClimb

Buckets and Pipes - - Sharing Knowledge, Encouraging Others

As the year comes to a close, I think it’s important for everyone to reflect on what they have learned and how it will help them in the coming year to grow and develop into the person God created us to become. One area I am learning about is the importance of sharing. I feel like in the past couple years, I have began to understand how to share tangible things. However, it seems like there is an importance in sharing knowledge, resources, and opportunities that I still need to develop. I attend Westside: A Jesus Church in Beaverton, Ore. Last week, there was an analogy that made perfect sense to how I am learning and what I am doing with the opportunities I am given. Imagine your life as each of these two objects: a bucket and a pipe. A bucket collects water. However, there is not outflow from the bucket. The longer the water sits there, the more likely it is to collect dust and debris that will contaminate it. A pipe collects water, as well. The pipe brings in water and then distributes it to other locations, constantly bringing in and pouring out fresh water.

Our lives should reflect a pipe; gaining new pieces of knowledge, skills, and opportunities while also pouring out to others around us. Think about how you are consciously trying to help others advance in their growth. Are you a hoarder of knowledge? Or do you continuously learn and pour out to other?

#LiftAsYouClimb

The Interruptible Message of Christmas

Even though I am no longer in elementary school, I still get excited for everything that comes with Christmas. Yes, I enjoy the festive decorations, the holiday movies and the fact that most people are in a better mood. The best part of basketball season was always Christmas as well. Especially in college, because school was out for 3 weeks, and all we had to focus on was basketball. The small amount of per diem we got made us feel like pros for a bit (if pros made less than minimum wage). The problem with Christmas has become that our plans and desires are being put into the foreground. The most asked question is becoming “what do you want for Christmas?” Even the most selfless of people can get caught up in their plans for celebrating and deflate the mood of others if their plans don’t go accordingly.

My thoughts here are not to condemn or judge. I love presents and I also like to see my ideas come to fruition. My thoughts come from the story of Christmas and the fact that God interrupted the plans of an unmarried couple for the greater good of the world.

Take interest how God is interrupting your life, perhaps to your discomfort. Can this be a movement of the Holy Spirit in your life for something greater than the interests you have?

Merry Christmas, everyone! Thank you to everyone who is encouraging the growth of the Salem Hoops Project within the community. It is your support and involvement that is allowing youth in Salem to be given an opportunity to participate in basketball skills training regardless of economic status.

#LiftAsYouClimb

Remain in Love - - Notes From Bob Goff

I had the pleasure of hearing best-selling author Bob Goff speak at my church this past Sunday. His theme was from John 15:1 - remain (or abide) in love. If you have not read the his book Love Does, I highly recommend it. If you are a person who has ideas on ways you want to impact the world, but feel that your ideas are too big or not practical, this book will open your mind to believe that one small act of love can cause a major difference in the lives of others. As far as Bob’s speaking goes, he is an energetic man with plenty to share. There was so much that he talked about, but I will just share my biggest three takeaways from what he shared.

Have difficult conversations in the right places.

HUMILITY

Let go and stop being cool. Understand that you are not the center of what is going on. Understand that what you want for yourself is not always the best thing for yourself. The more we chase humility, the more likely we will be to sacrifice ourselves for the good of others.

I met somebody who told me who I was.

FILL YOUR BUCKET

Bob spoke of a period in his life when he carried a physical bucket to remind himself that he carried who he was becoming with him. Carrying pride around in a bucket will weigh you down. But filling your bucket with generosity will make life easier. Fill your bucket with things you want to be with you at all times.

People don’t fall out of love, they lose their imagination.

YIKES!...

...should be our reaction in life. We should never get to the point where we are not challenging ourselves or letting God challenge us. Often in life, we hope for things to be easy and for worldly blessings to be poured upon us. If this is our life, then where is our opportunity for sacrifice and reliance upon our savior?

People who are comfortable don’t need Jesus.

Time and Score - - The IQ Series

Throughout the season, there a plenty of opportunities to learn from each game. My goal this year is to share what I see with players to help develop your basketball IQ. The first topic will be time and score. The situation is this: there is 2 minutes left and your team is up by 4 points. What can you do to remain aggressive yet also remain under control? The common phrase is “playing not to lose.” This attitude can cause you to tighten up and make mistakes because you are only attempting to not make mistakes. Here are some tips from what I have witnessed this past week to help you maintain poise and finish the game with a win.

Amazing plays are unnecessary

Defensively especially. If you try and steal the ball by jumping the passing lane and do not make the play, your team is now at a disadvantage. This can lead to easy shots or most likely a foul and free throws for the other team. Even diving for a ball can be costly if you do not gain possession. Only make hustle plays that are 100% in your favor. If there is a chance you do not make the play, do the safe thing and contain your man to ensure a tough shot for your opponent.

Amazing shots are unnecessary

If you have to split defenders, double pump, or fadeaway, you probably shouldn’t take that shot. You most likely want to work the ball for a layup. Some coaches may be ok with a dependable shooter taking an open mid-range shot after a number of ball reversals. Jumps shots, in addition to not being as high-percentage as layups, also lead to long rebounds, which lead to easy transition baskets.

Ball fake

If you are up by 4 with 2 minutes left, the defense will be looking to jump passing lanes to get steals. Ball fake as you looking to pass to get the defense off balance. Turnovers and bad shots will lead to the other team coming back and making it anybody’s game.

Stewardship and Our Responsibility to be Selfless - - #LiftAsYouClimb

To me, one of the best things in life is the people I get to be around. I love that I get to be surrounded by a diverse group of people every day. My enjoyment is not necessarily being around people, but more so learning from people. Taking what I see from them or from what they tell me and reflecting on how I am living. This is best applied when I can make connections with what I am seeing in those around me with what I am studying.

I am currently going through a study called “Our Great Exchange.” It is a study on stewardship. While I limited my thoughts towards stewardship on how I use my money, the first lesson expanded my mind. Stewardship is more than our money, it is everything that we are given, tangible or intangible. Stewardship is taking the gifts God has given you and using them to become who God wants you to be.

As I mentioned before, I was able to go observe a Trailblazers practice. This opportunity was presented to me by my guy Henry. This isn’t the first time he has given me a unique opportunity. Watching Henry made me realize that leadership and growth is a collective process. We always hear how God calls us into a life of community. I think when we refuse to be selfless in our communities, it limits not only our individual growth, but also the growth of those around us.

It’s important to remember that what we have is not ours. We are only stewards of what we have. Life in community requires intentional selflessness. Instead of being focused on YOUR goals and what YOU want, think in terms of the whole. If we hoard our gifts and opportunities for ourselves, we limit the exchange of growth we can share with others. Don’t leave your team behind, bring them with you.

#LiftAsYouClimb

Up Your Intensity at Practice - - Talk and Communicate

Thanks to my good friend Henry Barrera, I was given an opportunity to visit the Portland Trailblazers practice facility where we were shown their strength program and also observed a practice. I have always been curious as to what goes on at the highest level of the game.  

Obviously, they have the nicest equipment for strength training. But they do keep things simple as far as programming despite their hectic schedule. What I saw on the court was nothing out of the ordinary: 5-0, 3-on-3 breakdown drills, 5-5 controlled half-court scrimmage, and, of course, getting shots up.

The biggest difference I noticed was that each player was involved for every drill, regardless if they were on the court or sitting out. They were there to get better at practice, not to get through a practice. This was demonstrated by their commitment to talking.

Talking and communicating is, perhaps, the hardest skill to teach young players. Not simply talking to make noise, but talking to make sure that your teammates know what you are doing and what you expect them to do. The Blazers’ players did not just talk when they were on the court, but also when they were on the side waiting to enter the drill.

Your team can reach a higher level if all players are committed to communicating with one another. Talk on the court to keep each other on the same page, and talk on the sidelines to keep yourself mentally ready to play.

Big THANK YOU to @toddforcier @Ben_kenyon_ for letting us come by today. Really appreciate it. #IronSharpensIron @IamDJShaw @SLMHoopsProject

— Henry Barrera, CSCS (@hoopdiaries) November 21, 2014

Team First - - Is It True for You?

So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God. 1 John 3:10

As the season begins, we all start to make our vows on how we intend to work towards a certain goal. The most important promise to make in order to achieve team success is to accept a role for yourself that puts the team’s greatest need above your own. This, however, is much easier said than done.

As players, it’s easy to say that we want what’s best for the team at the beginning of the season. The hard part is actually living that out when the season is not going well for you as an individual. It is the act of celebrating team success over personal gain that makes basketball a special game.

The opposite will destruct a team. One player who decides to dictate the success of the season on his/her own standing will become and cancer on the team. That feeling will be seen by the team and limit the potential your team once had. You will seem by others as if you don’t belong to the team.

This effect is also seen in our faith. We see in 1 John that belonging to God necessitates our ability to live and love in community with other Christians. By choosing the opposite, we reject the life that God wants us to live.

Before your season begins, ask yourself these questions to see if you are committed to the team above your own achievements.

1

Can you support your team if you are not earning the playing time you think you deserve?

2

Can you remain obedient to your coach if you are not scoring as much as you feel you are capable of scoring?

3

Can you continue to play within the system if other players whom you believe you are better than are getting more opportunities?

These 3 things can cause individual players to place more importance on themselves than the team’s success. Consistently check in with yourself and reflect on how much you want your team achieve their goals. Are your own goals more important than the team’s? If they are, your team will suffer because of it.

Your Approach During Tryouts

Tryouts are approaching quickly! While some players are confident in their standing with the team, others are fighting for their chance to be a part of the program. I have a few tips for each category of players.  

If you are confident…

LEAD

Set the standard for which you expect all players to work like. Show everyone else that it is not easy to be a part of the team they are trying out for. If it was easy, anyone could do it.

SERVE

If you believe that you are a lock for your team, create a culture of serving early on. Any chance you get, help to meet your teammates needs. This can be as simple as being the first player to get to the huddle, picking up basketballs/equipment after practice, or getting water for an exhausted teammate.

TALK

Communicate on the court! Other players will be nervous and may not be willing to step out of their comfort zone. Show the importance of communication within the game by talking with your teammates on and off the court.

If you are fighting…

LISTEN

Follow instructions. Coaches do not want to have to continuously explain themselves. Listen to what the coach wants in each drill. If you do not fully understand, sit out a few reps and watch the more experienced players do it before you jump in.

WORK

Be the hardest working player on the floor. Coaches will notice you if your work ethic is on a higher level than the others. Once you have their attention, you can be assured you will be seen and observed.

PERFORM

No matter what you do, you still need to be able to play. Knock down your open shots and limit your turnovers. Be aggressive, but don’t try and do too much. And you definitely need to be able to defend!

2 Ball Handling Workouts to Help You Improve

One of my biggest hobbies for the last couple years has been developing my skills as a videographer and photographer. This has helped me gain opportunities to create multiple types of videos. Last month, I was able to create two ball handling workouts for the Nike Pre Season Elite Basketball Camp. They are each about 10-minutes long, challenge yourself and do both for a 20-minute ball handling workout. http://youtu.be/x4cZ5xJd3t8

http://youtu.be/Oc2rShu4qcg