These days, basketball is merely used as a tool that comes with many perks. Many parents, athletes, and coaches are so hung up on "making it" because of all the extras (scholarships, contracts, meal tickets, etc.) this game provides. With that said, we as a whole, completely lose sight as to why we initially started playing this game. Let's take a full step back and remember the days we were in diapers with a small basketball in our hands. I can only speak for myself with this example by saying that my parents always tell me they had never seen a smile so big from someone throwing an orange ball around the house. When I think back and watch old home videos, all I think about is; that extremely happy kid did not have the slightest clue as to where this orange ball was capable of taking him in the future. What he did know was that he absolutely adored this game and that is the only reason as to why he started to play.
I've learned many times that if you disrespect this game, it in turn disrespects you. My parents never yelled at me and told me I need to score 30 points in a game because if you're capable, you'll do it on your own. All they told me before every game was; enjoy the game. Sometimes, I find myself becoming a victim of taking things for granted and forcing the game to give me handouts instead of letting it come to me, and that's what I mean by "disrespecting" it. The only things youth athletes need are; encouragement, constructive criticism, and reminders never to take their opportunity for granted. Every time I play and enjoy the game, good things happen.
Bottomline; NEVER FORGET WHY YOU STARTED.
-CNK10