Martell Webster has always had the physical tools to be a good NBA player. However, up until this year, his career has been filled with ups and downs combined with a bit of underachievement. By taking a different approach and playing with an improved mindset, Webster is starting to turn heads and play up to his potential.
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When New England Patriots running back Danny Woodhead went down with a thumb injury on the first drive of the game, many people figured the Patriots would have to lean on their wide receivers to get them through the AFC Divisional Championship with a victory. However, Woodhead’s back-up was more than up to the challenge. Shane Vereen seized his opportunity and answered the bell with a resounding 3 touchdowns and 124 all-purpose yards. Like any of his other teammates, Vereen stepped up when his name was called and carried out his role all in the name of winning.
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A lot of turmoil has surrounded the Los Angeles Lakers’ season this year. With the blockbuster additions combined with the underachieving record, the Lakers haven’t exactly made it difficult to create distractions. Yet, while there is debate over what trade should be made or which coach should be fired, the players in the Lakers locker room are coming together and taking on an interesting approach. With the playoffs still within reach, Kobe Bryant and Co., are finding a way to hit the reset button.
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For the whole year, much was made about the instant impact rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III was having on the Washington Redskins, and rightfully so. However, with Griffin out due to a knee injury, fellow rookie quarterback Kirk Cousins filled in. Back in April, the Redskins organization shocked many experts when they used a 4th round pick on Cousins after already selecting Griffin III. Yet through his play this Sunday and in previous back-up situations, Cousins is showing the world he has the tools head coach Mike Shanahan already knew he had.
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J.J. Redick came into the NBA out of college known as a three-point specialist. Through his first five years, Redick was utilized for spacing the floor with his lethal spot-up jumpers. However, over the summer the Orlando Magic roster was turned upside down when they traded away their franchise player Dwight Howard. As a result of how the new team is constructed, Redick is being asked to contribute in a very unfamiliar role: facilitator. As a result, not only is he experiencing a career high in assists, the Magic is in a position few thought was possible prior to the season starting.
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Colin Kaepernick went into Gillette Stadium for the first time as a starting quarterback. Not only was the young quarterback facing a perennial NFL power in the New England Patriots on the road, he also was shouldering the pressure that comes with playing for playoff spot on the line and a division race still in the balance. In only his 5th NFL start, Kaepernick showed a level of poise and calmness head coach Jim Harbaugh says are just a couple of the characteristics that make Kaepernick special.
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Boston Celtics guard Jason Terry is in his first year as a member of the Boston Celtics. While it may take most players time to get adjusted and comfortable with their new surroundings, Terry seems to have jump-started the process. Not only has Terry’s on court production been beneficial to the Celtics, but head coach Doc Rivers compares some of Terry intangibles to fellow Celtic Kevin Garnett.
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Kansas City head coach Romeo Crennel has had as rough a 24 hours as any coach in the National Football League. No it did not stem from his team getting out to an abysmal 1-10 start on the season. A day after Crennel and several other Chiefs personnel witnessed their linebacker Javon Belcher take his life in front of them, the Chiefs head coach was faced with the daunting task of leading 75 men onto a football field and motivating them to compete and focus on the task of beating the Carolina Panthers. While the win versus Carolina will not come close to healing wounds from the tragedy, Crennel’s strength was a step in the right direction for many of the players trying to cope with a loss of a teammate, friend, structure.
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This was the year where New Orleans rookie Anthony Davis was going to go from starring in college- winning a national championship and National Player of the Year honors- to being the NBA Rookie of the Year. Someone forgot to mention that to fellow NBA rookie Damian Lillard. With more than a quarter of the NBA season already in the books, one of the more fascinating stories so far involves the Portland Trail Blazers rookie point guard. Displaying a rare mixture of poise and maturity for a player with his experience, Lillard is using those intangibles combined with his on court athletic skills that have him being group with some of the best guards of any generation.
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Lionel Hollins is entering his fourth season as the Memphis Grizzlies head coach. While this is obviously not Hollins’ first time around this core group of players, he still feels adamant about continuing to emphasize several key values that he feels are necessary to his team’s success. Living by his three key values will ultimately help his players maintain a high level of discipline, focus and commitment.
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Paul Pierce is entering his 15th season in the NBA. With all 15 of those years spent in Celtic Green, it is easy for some people to overlook the forward who does not often make flashy plays or show up on Youtube highlight reels. Nonetheless, on a team that prides itself on unselfishness, and hard-nosed team defense lead by All-Stars Rajon Rondo and Kevin Garnett, Pierce is still looked to as not only the leader of the team but a source of stability in a particular facet of the game plan.
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The Golden State Warriors have been regarded as a team that only likes to play hard on the offensive side of the ball. With the off-season acquisition of guard Jarrett Jack, that is sure to change. Known around the NBA as one of the hardest workers in the league, Jack brings with him a toughness and mindset that does not involve settling for anything less than 100%. While most guys stay low-key and can be reserved when they initially join their teammates, Jack took it upon himself deliver a message loud and clear the moment he walked in the Warriors’ training facility on Day 1.
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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith has been constantly criticized for his play ever since the Niners selected him number 1 in the 2005 draft. However, after stepping up and helping the team turn things around last year, Smith took his game to another level on opening night against arguably the best quarterback in the NFL. With the right mentality and focus, Smith is taking his game to untapped levels.
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When 99.9% of players suffer a torn ACL, they must begin to come to grips with missing the remaining games and start to focus on rehab. Unless you’re New England Patriots offensive guard Logan Mankins. In the first game of the season last year, Mankins tore his ACL and played the rest of the season, which did not end until the Super Bowl.
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Robert Griffin III has been waiting a long time to start in the NFL. After throwing for over 300 yards, in front of 70,000 opposing fans, Griffin III used the poise and composure that helped land him the Heisman Trophy last year. From his teammates and coaches, to opposing players, Griffin has everyone around the NFL praising his performance and predicting great things for the rookie in the future.
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At the young age of 23, Kevin Durant has positioned himself to reach a milestone most players spend their entire career trying to reach. While the majority of people and some NBA experts predict it will only be a matter of time before Durant wins a Championship, the Oklahoma City guard is not buying into way of thinking for one second. Between his mature approach and drawing off former great players and teams in history who have seemed poised for eventual glory, only to have numerous variables alter the playing landscape, Durant is focused solely on this one and only NBA Finals appearance.
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Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones has had plenty of press throughout the course of his NFL career. Unfortunately, most people remember Jones for negative, controversial and run-ins with the law. After brief stints away from the NFL, and football altogether, Jones is not only looking to turn his life around, but is also taking time to reach out to young players. At this year’s rookie symposium, Jones will take time to explain and try to help NFL rookies avoid some his pitfalls as a young player.
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Erik Spoelstra’s time as the Miami Heat’s head coach has been a rollercoaster ride for 4 years. After being with the organization since 1995 in roles ranging from video coordinator to assistant coach, Spoelstra was hand-picked by NBA legend Pat Riley to be the team’s floor general. With the addition of LeBron James, Chris Bosh and other countless personnel transactions, Spoelstra has had his hands full learning new coaching tactics, massaging egos, implementing different mentors’ strategies in addition to making sure his own print is shaping the culture of the team. Through it all, Spoelstra has managed keep a level head and go about his business the only way he knows how.
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Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley has been through more obstacles than most NBA players this season. After dislocating shoulder in three separate occasions, Bradley popped it back into place and has yet to miss a beat.
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The Philadelphia 76ers are positioned to play their way into the Eastern Conference Finals. Backed by a young and inexperienced nucleus, the 76ers are defying the odds and relying on a group of players who most people feel are too young to contend.
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When thinking of the best players in crunch time, players like Kobe Bryant, Dwayne Wade, and Paul Pierce may come to mind. However, Chris Paul is continuing to prove he belongs in that elite category as one of the game’s best closers. After a series that saw Paul constantly take over late in the 4th quarter or overtime, the Clippers are starting to reach uncharted territory for the usually terrible franchise.
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I usually do not publish these types of articles, but this guy is a good friend of mine. If you have the opportunity, and are in the area, you should check out Jeremy Russotti’s training seminar this summer. It is open to coaches at the pro, college, high school, AAU, and overseas level.
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New Memphis Grizzlies guard Lester Hudson is back in familiar territory. After Hudson’s contract was not renewed after his second 10-day stint with the Cavaliers, Hudson’s hometown Memphis Grizzlies picked him up for the rest of the season. After bouncing around the league, playing overseas and in the NBA D-League, Hudson had to fight through adversity to get back to playing at the highest level.
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The Tennessee Titans are beginning a year in which they have momentum stemming from last year’s surprise season. Without the restrictions from a lockout, the Titans’ coaching staff and players are preparing to get better with the help of a more efficient and effective off-season development plan.
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The Washington Wizards have definitely not been the model for success in the NBA over the past year. However, after being the laughing stock of the league, the Wizards are starting to turn things around. Through team bonding, chemistry, and players getting healthy, Washington is closing the season out with accomplishments few teams can match.
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Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Dominique Rogers-Cromartie has come a long way since originally stepping foot on Tennessee State’s campus more than eight years ago. When Rogers-Cromartie first arrived as a freshmen cornerback for the TSU Tigers, his small frame and other youthful deficiencies almost kept him off the field. However, through the years, Rogers-Cromartie has been able to draw back on his historical TSU experience and use it to help him succeed in all types of situations in the NFL.
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Vanderbilt Quarterback Jordan Rogers has had a roller-coaster college career. The career low point occurred in the Commodores’ last game of the season in which Rogers was pulled mid-way through the second half. This off-season, Rogers made a conscious effort to work on specific areas that he needed to improve on. Also, Rogers took a mature step in leadership and positioned himself to be the no.1 quarterback on the depth chart.
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The Boston Celtics’ Big 3 have been instrumental in bringing a winning culture back to the Celtics prideful organization. With the three Hall of Fame players constantly playing at a high level since they haven thrown on Celtics jerseys, some people have wondered how they have managed to maintain such an efficient level of productivity considering their rise in age. While some people feel the players’ games have changed and some feel they are the same, both sides agree that through dedication and a refusal to get complacent, Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce are special in their own ways.
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Kobe Bryant is arguably the best player in the NBA. Yet, during games in which he has been sidelined with a shin injury, Bryant can still be seen making an impact. Over the last 5 games that Bryant has had to sit out, the Lakers guard has been offering play calls, teaching point to teammates and other encouraging coaching points that have helped the Lakers achieve a 4-1 record in his absence.
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Washington Wizards guard Jordan Crawford has been through a lot in his brief stint with the Wizards. From starting only temporarily until Nick Young returned, to having shot selection criticized, Crawford has learned to maintain the confidence that helped him go from humble beginnings to NBA starter. With the help of several NBA veteran teammates and a positive mindset, Crawford has grown to lead the team in scoring since the All-Star break with the hopes of securing a long-term contract with Washington.
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Former NBA star Anfernee Hardaway is trying his best to make a difference. A native of Memphis, TN, Hardaway is working with the youth of his same childhood community and background. Using the multitude of life experiences, Hardaway is doing his best to help spark a change in the mindsets of the children of tomorrow.
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While many people still envision Gilbert Arenas as being a goofball and team cancer, Arenas’ recent play this year with the Grizzlies has his new team using different words to characterize their teammate. After appearing to turn over a new leaf, Arenas has become a consistent knock-down shooter and has been a consummate veteran, providing leadership to the younger players.
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There are many people who look at Rajon Rondo’s box score and determine whether has a good game by the number of points and assists he gets. However, there is a statistic that has become just as important to Rondo as any other: Turnovers. In a recent game with the 76ers Rondo made a bet with a specific coach that helped him minimize his errors on the court.
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