Old School

When something is “Old School” does it automatically get “Street Cred”??? I went to play basketball tonight and was called “Old School” by some of the high school kids. I did not care that much, as it just felt good to get out on the court again after a 3-month absence. My game is not what it used to be, but every now and then you can see a flash of greatness!!

I am not sure how I should take it as a compliment, or as an insult? At any rate, I am fine being OS…the kids were shocked by my ability even though my moves won’t be featured on an “And 1” videotape. After the first couple of jump shots, that barely grazed the rim, I took my game inside and used some of low post moves to get my shot going. I got some confidence and really started to get in the groove of the game. Soon I was making no look passes and hitting long range 3’s. “Old School got game!!”

My freshman year in High School I got cut from the basketball team. I was shocked. Coming out of 8th grade, and fresh of a 5th place state finish, I was assured a spot on the team. Getting cut was a huge ego bust. I remember not hearing my name being called and getting that feeling like an American Idol contestant…(”So you had a bad day”)….As I stared across the court to the kids on the team, I remember thinking…”I am better than him, him …and definitely him!!” I stormed out of the gym. My pride would not let me cry in front of other people, as soon as I got home, I balled.

I had some flaws in my game. The next day I grew up and asked the coach why I got cut. He detailed all the tools I was missing to be an effective player. It was something I did not want to hear, but definitely needed too. I practiced that year very hard…( I would have made Allen Iverson proud). I came back to the coach at the end of the school year after winning the county championship and asked for a spot on the team. He allowed me and another kid to be on the summer squad. I was satisfied.

My High School career was not one of legend. I was a decent player, but God did not bless me athletically like he did some people. My basketball IQ is what separated me from most HS players. I played my final 3 yrs HS and did not receive a single letter from any schools to join there college squad. I was okay with that. I had already punched my lunch ticket to Kansas on a Music Scholarship!!

At Kansas I became a basketball nut. For the first time in my life I became just a fan in the crowd. It was difficult at first to watch the team run out on the court and not hear anyone call your name, but after realizing how much work it would take, I was happy being a fan. My intramural team won the residence hall championship, and I became a “gym rat”. Everyday I would spend 2 –3 hours of study time on the court. The kid who once got cut as a freshman, was now becoming a gym deity. My grades suffered, but my “Street Cred” was on the rise.

Irony. Be careful what you wish for. My dream of becoming a drum major in college was achieved, but with a price. I strained my patella (kneecap), causing scar tissue to form in my left knee. People would asked why I stopped playing ball so much. I would respond with, “I hurt my knee in marching band”. (Insert rolling on the floor laughter here.) After each game, I iced my knees like any other athlete. My doctor told me to stay off of it, and they could remove the tissue once it was healed. I did not listen. I was back on the field the next week performing for thousands at halftime. My absence from the basketball court was replaced with new questions of “ Aren’t you the guy with the funny hat??”

These days my knee still has pain every now & then, and my game is nowhere it used to be. My biggest obstacle is the extra 30lbs being carried on my frame, not my knee. As I am getting older, my moves are a little slower than they used to be, but still effective enough to show the young kids some skills. Through it all I am happy to be “Old School”…I think o am supposed to spell it “Old Skool”???…I ‘m not that hip anymore!!!