In his great book Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell postulates that an individual reaches high proficiency in a particular vocation once he reaches 10,000 hours of practice/ activity in that field. Bill Gates on computers. Michael Jackson with singing and performing. Lil’ Wayne with rapping. Peyton Manning with football.
Well, it has taken me awhile, but i feel, at age 28, I have finally hit the 10,000 hour plateau in basketball. No, I have not been counting the hours or thought up any formula to calculate how much I have played and practiced over the last 14+ years, but I can feel it. I understand — and see for myself — that most players who start with the game as “late” (age 14) as I did don’t stay with it long enough to hit the 10k mark before their physical abilities decline. So I know, along with the stick-to-it-iveness I possess, I’ve been very lucky to make it this far. 
That being said, I feel as good as I’ve ever felt both physically and mentally in the game….
Wait, wait wait. Waaay too cliché with that one. Let’s rewind.
I am the best I have ever been right now and I’m still getting better. I have the skills, the know-how, the toughness, the heart — I’m damn well put-together for a basketball player at the moment, if I may say so myself.
With that said, I’m getting ready for the next season, wherever that may be. You all will know soon. I addressed the NBA situation here last week, for those interested.
I’m ready to assume my spot in the game. More people need to know my name.
Posted 1 month, 3 weeks ago. Add a comment
After the “Terrorism Attempt” on the Northwest Airlines flight on Christmas Day, there’s word that the TSA’s response to this situation (this word now brings MTV’s ‘Jersey Shore’ show to mind. If you don’t watch, ignore this aside) is to increase limits on passengers during flights. According to Air Canada’s website, the new rules say that “during the final hour of flight customers must remain seated, will not be allowed to access carry-on baggage, or have personal belongings or other items on their laps.”
The future of flying in the USA
So I’ll have to put my iPod away for the last hour?
I’m wondering how far all this will go before every flight passenger on every USA-bound plane is strapped into their seats like a death row inmate sentenced to the electric chair. And with so many citizens are so truly afraid of what might happen in some “terrorism” attempt, I don’t see too much opposition being voiced.
Posted 8 months, 2 weeks ago. 2 comments
I’ve been getting the same question asked of me in different forms over the past month-and-a-half or so by many people: Dre, Where are you playing this year?
Rightly so, and I’m pleased that so many folks wanna know wassup — so here it is:
I don’t know yet.
At this very moment I am unsigned. I’ve been here before, in ’07 when ended up in Montenegro in December. Professional basketball is just as much business as it is the game on the floor, and things are even more so currently with everyone in the world watching their money a bit closer than usual. The work I have put in over the past 5 years has me in a position to set my worth for my next contract — I’ve paid dues and expect to be paid back — so when the right situation materializes, I’ll be there. And that could be anywhere on the globe.
I’ll say now that I’ll be finalizing my plans for the basketball season within the next 4-6 weeks, maybe sooner. ‘Till then, I’ll be laying groundwork for the future, working out and doing some other things that I won’t speak about right now.
Business as usual.
Posted 9 months ago. 3 comments
A few (and I really mean a few) of my favorite photos, out of hundreds from my dude B Battles’ wedding. The rest that I post can be found here (in case you didn’t know, posting tons of photos on a web page really slows down the site navigation, not to mention each individual’s computer when viewing). I’m sure a lot more photos will be popping up in other places, if you know where to look.
Throwing it down in Mexico. What a time that was.
Press photo or the Harlem Ambassadors back in 2006.
A random game in Tierra Colorada, Mexico. The fans out there didn’t know that game well, but they loved the entertainment.
A timeout during a game in Herceg Novi. For some inexplicable reason I was not in the game at the moment.
Pregame intros in Niksic, Montenegro.
In my favorite spot — the Internet cafe corner desk — in Herceg Novi. I lived in that place.
One of the very first DreAllDay.com press photos. Shot this one in ’07 right before I left for Montenegro.
Inside an expensive coffee house in some International airport on my way home from Montenegro. That drink and magazine probably combined to cost me $10.
Phu & I driving to IHOP shortly after my return from Montenegro.
Posted 1 year, 1 month ago. Add a comment
A cut-off, too-small shot of me holding my entry credential at Court-Side Camp in Frankfurt.
Posted 1 year, 1 month ago. Add a comment
Phu had me on SoBe eating at some place that offered chopsticks. This was definietly not burgers and fries.
Posted 1 year, 1 month ago. Add a comment
I was quite happy to find that Honey Nut Cheerios were sold in Herveg Novi.
Posted 1 year, 1 month ago. 1 comment
This shot is from a play in a game in Montengro vs. Niksic. We got our asses kicked in this game, mostly because I didn;t enter it unitl the 2nd quarter. Yes, that coach got fired.
Posted 1 year, 1 month ago. Add a comment
