Inspiring stuff...

I'm always looking for new ways to better my enjoyment of what my dad liked to call the journey. I love hearing about success stories. I try to take a piece of each story and put my own twist on it and call it mine. There are so many stories out there even the simplest of them can change someone's outlook on life. I've recently come across 2 quotes both of which inspired me in different ways. The first came from a friend of mine (Kenny Frank), who was kind enough to send it to me after he saw it on this kid's Facebook wall. His father is currently going through chemo therapy and is a good friend of Kenny's dad. It read:

- "I talk and talk and talk, and I haven't taught people in 50 years what my father taught by example in one week."

The second quote I stumbled upon came from one of my closest college friend's blog (Tim Lynch). It read:

"Men often become what they believe themselves to be. If I believe I cannot do something, it makes me incapable of doing it. But when I believe I can, then I acquire the ability to do it even if I didn't have it in the beginning."

- Mahatma Gandhi

Lastly, another friend of mine (Pat Flanagan) emailed me a video that aired recently on CBS's 60 Minutes about a high school coach (Bob Hurley) with a history of success both on and off the court at an inner city catholic school in Jersey. I highly recommend it. Here's the link below.

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7360940n

Inspiring stuff if you ask me. I hope all is well back home. I love and miss you more than you know. Until next time......................................................................... Love

"Enjoy the Journey"

Love

Bud

Special Thanks...

I'd like to give a special thanks to Polpharma for posting on their team website about my team's Swiss Cup Championship last week. Last year every blog I wrote they posted on the team website which was a great way to reach out to the fan base there in Starogard Gdanski to say thank you for their support. They were a huge reason for our success last year (Finished 3rd in the PLK). So thank you for checking in on me and wish you guys the best of luck in the playoffs. Until next time....................... Love

"Enjoy the Journey"

Love

Bud

Playoffs

This marks the 100th post since I began writing this blog to family and friends. We finished the regular season 24-3. This season has gone by much faster than expected. Although at times it seemed like the routinely repeated schedule would never end. With only 2 months left to go I am starting the see the light at the end of the tunnel. That light consists of Lele, Rvca, family, friends, weddings and booze. I guess I can throw a little working out in there too Lol.

In our game yesterday against Basel I suffered two cuts to the eyebrow area. The first I suffered in the first half when attempting to get over a screen. I went head to head with the guy I was guarding. The second one I suffered in the second half while going to block a shot from behind and the opposing team's player used his off arm to shield me and I caught his elbow. This year has been tough on the "looks". Here's a quick recap: I broke my nose and had to wear a mask for a month, cut my lip from an elbow in practice, and lastly two abrasions in the same game to the eyebrow area. It's a good thing I'm already spoken for otherwise I think I might have a little trouble convincing a babe to like me. Although I was always told scars build character and chicks dig 'em.

The playoffs start April 2nd and our first opponent is my old team SAM Massagno. All the series are 5 game series. If we win we'll play the winner of Monthey and Vacallo. Wish us luck and I hope all is well back home. See you in just under 2 months. Until next time............................................ Love

"Enjoy the Journey"

Love

Bud

Highlights

Here's a link with some highlights from the game and celebration ceremony after...

http://sport.rsi.ch/home/channels/sport/sport_on_line/2011/03/19--I-Tigers-vincono-la-Coppa-Svizz

"Enjoy the Journey"

Love

Bud

Swiss Cup Champs!

It wasn't the prettiest victory we've ever had but we'll take it. Coach called a pick and roll with me & Mo to end the game and Mo hit the game winning jumper from the elbow with 4 seconds left. Monthey missed a desperation half court shot and we won 67-68. Lugano hadn't won the Swiss cup in 9 years and this is the 10th time they've won it in the 80 year history of the Cup. The atmosphere was incredible! The Swiss league is not known for having televised matches let alone standing room only games but tonight was not the case this was a fun environment to play in. After the game we went to a bar and celebrated for a couple hours before we hit the road.

This game was my first game back from my calf injury and it wasn't quite a 100% but I didn't have any pain once I got my blood flowing. All week in practice I slowly made progress each day doing a little more starting with warming up Monday and scrimmaging by Thursday. One of the toughest things about being injured is having to watch from the sideline so it was nice to make a contribution this game.

It's the the day after the match and it is still overwhelming (still might be a little buzzed too Lol). I'm grateful to be apart of this, I'm playing with a great group of guys, it has been a fun season thus far (23-2, League Cup Champs & Swiss Cup Champs). We have 2 regular season games left on Wednesday and Saturday before playoffs start on April 2nd. Our final goal is to win the Swiss championship. Wish us luck and I'll see you at the end of May. I hope all is well back home. I love and miss you. Until next time....................................................... Love

Mom the last photo above was in the local paper the day before the game.

"Enjoy the Journey"

Love

Bud

Out 2 weeks...

This is what Rvca does every morning when Lele gets up to have breakfast. He eats his breakfast laying down Lol.... Yesterday morning I drove to Bellinzona to get an ultrasound from a specialist and he informed me it was nothing serious just a calf strain, which means I'm out of commission for 2 weeks. I'll miss 2-3 games depending on how fast I recover but should be back for the playoffs and 100%. Just a quick update, I hope all is well back home. I love and miss you. Until next time............................. Love

"Enjoy the Journey"

Love

Bud

Injured and Advice...

Ciao tutti! Well another month down and 2 and half more to go. We have 5 regular season games and one Swiss Cup game left before playoffs start on April 2nd. After our victory this weekend against Nyon we are now 20-2 and secured 1st place in the regular season. Remind me next year to try and get a bonus for that Lol. Unfortunately, I suffered a slight calf strain a few minutes into the game and I'll probably miss a couple weeks for it to heal but should be back in time for the playoffs. I spent yesterday elevating and icing my calf while watching movies. I tried to get a 3-way Skype with Carp and Kenny because Skype upgraded there video software but we were unsuccessful in our planning. We'll hopefully get that accomplished this this week.

I spoke with my nephew for a while yesterday and it was great to hear from him and how is season was going. He's had a great first season on varsity as a sophomore. They're in playoffs right now and he is pumped but a little confused on the message coach is trying to get across to him at the moment. Like many young players coaches put them on what I like to refer to as the "yo-yo effect". Bouncing them in and out of the game for various reasons to convey the message across to them. A learning tool all athletes have more than likely experienced. This approach is not always welcomed with opened arms by players but in some cases is a successful teaching tool. It teaches you be disciplined, to limit your mistakes and gives you an overall understanding of the game/what coach wants to keep you in it. The challenge is to come away better then you were before. So the next game or the next season you're not in the same boat. I've always been a firm believer that coaches don't decide who plays, players do. If you don't give them a reason to take you out than they can't. I told him do what he says, stay consistent, limit your mistakes, KNOW your going to make the shot, don't think just play hard, have fun and good things will happen. Basketball Gods reward the ones that work the hardest, so put forth the effort and they will reward you.

I have an MRI today and I'll let you guys know what the Doc says. I hope all is well back home. P-Fly if you read this I already know you are pumped for St. Patty's day. I'm looking forward to seeing the celebration documented on Facebook. Until next time....................................................................... Love

"Enjoy the Journey"

Love

Bud