Mailbag!

Mailbag time. Keep the questions coming.

JB Le Bolay wrote:

Hello Adam, first of all, best of luck for your future career plans/opportunities. It must be hard to work out on your own when the varsity teams go back to the gym. I myself play basketball at grad school back in France, and I’m proud to be captain and point guard of my team this year. Not easy, but I’m learning.
 So, would you have any tips to keep one’s concentration before a game? Do you think of something special? Sing a song in your head? How do you stay calm despite the stress at pregame?
 Thanks! 
Take care, man. 
Peace.

- – -

JB,

Thanks for the comment JB! Learning ways to be an effective team leader can be a very difficult process. I wish you the best of luck in your basketball season. In response to your questions, I think preparing for games can be different for every person. Some people listen to music to get themselves pumped up. Others try to block everything out and focus on the task at hand. Still more get their nervous energy out by laughing and playing pranks on other players. For me, gametime means being relaxed but focused on the task at hand. I like to go through a specific routine before every game. This way, even if there are outside distractions beforehand, I know to focus on doing the same thing everytime. Also, by doing this, you train yourself to understand that every time your body goes through the combination of stretching and drills, its time to play. I think it helps minimize bad days and increases consistency in mental preparation.

My routine starts with ballhandling drills. I use these to get a feel for the ball and to warm up my arms and legs. I go back and forth around the half-court line doing every drill with my left hand first, following with my right. I slowly increase my pace until my drills are complete and I begin sweating. I then continue by doing dynamic stretching. This helps me loosen up my muscles but allows me to continue moving. By this time, 20-25 minutes have went by and I’m ready to start shooting. I start close and slowly move out once I’m warm. When the clock shows 20 min before the game, I do a few more stretches to make sure I’m loose. Finally, by 10 minutes to game time, I am fully loose and ready to go – sprinting in layup lines and going almost full speed. Perhaps even a dunk or too. Just to see how it feels.

Though I seem to perform best with this routine, finding something that works best for you is important. Repetition helps, but find what things you enjoy doing that helps you focus. -Adam

If it’s in the news, it must be true.

ABC 5 picks up the Energy story. No word yet if ESPN will discuss it as well.

Hello end of the tunnel. Your light is showing.

I know, I know. Its been a month. I understand that is way too long to go without updating this blog. But honestly, I haven’t had much to say… until now.

This past weekend, I attended an open tryout at Grand View University for the Iowa Energy. Along with about 50 other people, I was in the gym working hard from about 8:30-5 (which I’ve been told is a normal work day for some), trying to show what I could bring to the team. Fortunately, I was on a team with a couple players I was familiar with – Jimmy Binnie and Ajay Calvin. As a team we did quite well.

I had a feeling being around other good players would help my cause, as I received word today of an invite to the Energy’s training camp. Though that does not guarantee anything, it is the next progression in getting on the final roster. As I understand it, 17 are invited to training camp and 10 will be selected. Tough odds with plenty of good players, but I am excited for the challenge.

Sadly, I don’t know much about other players on the team. I’ve heard Curtis Stinson will be back this year, but cannot offer much more of an inside scoop. I can say, however, that the DLeague draft will take place on November 5th, which will reveal 8 rounds of players for each team to receive an invite to training camp. Since I will be trying my best to make the team, I will definitely pay attention to see which players I’ll be joining in camp. The Energy have the ninth pick (http://www.nba.com/dleague/iowa/energy_pick_9th_2009_dleague__2009_09_30.html) and the draft will be broadcast live on NBATV. Don’t miss it!

Other than that, I don’t have much to report. I’ve been working hard trying to get in the best shape possible. For the first time since 2008, being in the States has allowed me to watch the beginning of the NBA season, as well as the World Series and football, college and NFL style. Just in case I have some dull days ahead, be prepared for my amateur analysis of a few of these well-publicized sports.

Today we’ll start with Major League Baseball. Following baseball as a little kid, I grew up a Tiger’s fan. Ergo, I am not a Yankee fan. It seems a lot of people hate the Yankees. Whether is the excessive spending, the aggravating and arrogant owner, or just the overbearing fans who always think their team is better than everyone else. I guess a near $200 million payroll and thousand-dollars a game seats will do that for you.

That being said, I am rooting against the Yankees in this World Series. True, it is hard to hate ALL the Yankees. Derek Jeter is a star and plays the game its supposed to be played (plus he’s from Michigan, can’t be mad at that), Mark Teixeira falls into about the same boat, and Johnny Damon just seems like a fun-loving guy. Especially without the caveman haircut.

But we all know the guys that just make the Yankees so easy to hate. Look at AJ Burnett for instance. Who but a smug, conceited Yankee pitcher would force his manager to go away from an All-Star catcher because they have don’t have a great rapport. Posada has four rings and a clutch bat, but a pitcher asks to have Molina (a great defensive catcher in his own right) catch because of this personal vendetta? Even as a professional athlete, your first responsibility is to your team. Even if you don’t exactly like someone on that team, you are supposed to act like a professional and have respect for the game.

I realize this all happened in the ALCS, but it still upsetting. That’s why I couldn’t have been happier to see the Phillies destroy Burnett in the early innings in Game 5. To see Burnett come out early and throw a temper-tantrum in the dugout was quite gratifying. Even though the series is headed back to New York for the extent of the series, I am hopeful the Phillies can pull one out. Here’s to back-to-back title chances. Go Tigers first, but Go Phils for now.

As for the Pistons, well, I won’t comment on them until Ben Gordon plays defense.

On that note, time to get back to thinking basketball. Still a lot of work to do, but whether you’re family, friend or fan — your support has been huge these past months. Thank you.

Hello October

To start, I want to make sure I say Happy 21st Birthday to my lovely girlfriend Lindsay. Thanks for everything and I hope you have a great birthday. I’m glad I am in the United States to help you celebrate.

Speaking of being in the US, I finally found a place to play on a regular basis. With a couple of former teammates, I’ve signed up to play in the Aspen Athletic Club basketball league off of Hickman. Still awaiting a contract and needing something to do other than sit in a gym by myself, this once-a-week league is starting at just the right time. The competition seems pretty good and people play hard, making it something I can look forward to every week.

Even though the Aspen league gives me something to do, I can’t believe it is already October. I never thought I’d be in the US this long. I expected a two-month summer. This is definitely more than I anticipated. School is now in full swing and the Drake guys are beginning to get ready for their season. I hope I don’t have to wait too much longer.

New for this season on Drake radio, I will be featured in advertisements for Jethro’s BBQ. Asked by the owner to participate I am happy to help. I’ve become quite a fan of not only Drake basketball (obviously) but also Jethro’s and what they are trying to do in the community. Quality food was absent around Drake when I began college, but it seems the neighborhood is picking up. I believe the success Jethro’s has made an impact and am happy to be associated with the restaurant.

Next post, hopefully I have more to report.

Britney Spears, Football and Five Pounds of Meat

Despite the great publicity for my sandwich at Jethros in recent weeks, not much has changed from a professional standpoint. I am starting to get sick of not knowing where I am going, when I am leaving, or if I will have an opportunity at all. However I am thankful to still be close to my friends and family, giving me all the things life overseas lacks.

As I talked a little bit about in past post, September is my mother’s birthday month. I wished her an early happy birthday on Aug 25, and nearly a month later on September 23, I am now wishing her a belated happy birthday. Hope you had a great day mom. Thanks for everything and you know your whole family loves you!

Since my last post, I’ve been fortunate enough to attend a Britney Spears concert with Lindsay, attend my first Iowa vs Iowa State football game (it was ugly), and play in a Drake golf tournament. All were fun for different reasons. Yes, the Britney concert was fun because it was entertainment. Say what you want about the girl, but she knows how to put on a show (she just never sings in it apparently, I don’t think she actually sang more than two songs. A lot of lip-synching). Her opening act Jordin Sparks was good as well. Its amazing how seeing someone live inevitably makes you like that person’s music more (or less I guess depending on the situation).

I went to the UI vs ISU game with a former employer David Greenpson, who have been gracious enough to help me find activities while I am in Des Moines. We left about 630 AM to make the short drive to Ames and enjoyed a few friends at the tailgates. I even ran into Jim and Nancy Maine, friends of the family who have been surrogate parents of mine since I came to Des Moines. Coincidentally, Jim was a elementary school chum of my father’s who just happened to be in Des Moines. So the tailgates were fun and we had great seats, I won’t talk about the game. Oh, as a side note, I was not cheering for Iowa or Iowa State, I was wearing a blue shirt and clapped for good plays. Very non-committal.

In the Drake golf tournament, I was a “ringer” brought in to play with the Rupprecht’s. Very nice people, I just wish I would have been more of a help to their score. We played a shamble format, meaning we took the best drive, then everyone played their own ball and received a personal score. Both individual and team scores were considered. As the “ringer”, if my score beat one of their scores, mine would be used for the team score. Sadly, we did not win, and my score was not used much. I need to play more golf… It was a lot of fun though and I met a lot of great people. Thanks to Dan, Phyllis, Tom, and Paul for putting up with me and my high scores.

I am still working out, and working out often, but struggle without having an end goal in sight. With everything up in the air for four months now, self-motivation becomes much more difficult. Lucky for me, having Ajay Calvin to work-out with provides positive-reinforcement and someone in a similar situation to talk to.

One thing I am looking into is having a basketball camp in Des Moines next summer. After doing one with Klayton and Leonard after our senior year, we got a lot of positive feedback from our campers. Though I intended to do one this past summer, being overseas made the process difficult. Any ideas out there? What type of camp? When in June? What gym works best? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Local Radio Hero Eats Me

Photographic Evidence.

ManCHALLENGE!

Webmaster here.

So our boy Adam received a nice little write-up in a local internet publication. Metromix Des Moines. They provide information on local things, like local events, local bars and local food. Which brings us to this link:

My meaty link.

Named after Adam Emmenecker, the star of Drake’s 2008 basketball team and MVP of the Missouri Valley Conference, this monstrous sandwich – weighing in at just shy of five pounds – includes a touch of almost everything on the menu and costs $19.95.

Five pounds? Gut busting. They even have a picture to prove they actually weighed it (for those of you who don’t always trust the media).

Look. We did what we said we did.

Hopefully they weighed the plate first, zeroed out the scale, and then added the copious amounts of fried meat, cheese and bun. Because that’s how a scientist would do it.

Sadly, they didn’t write this article just because Adam is awesome. Neigh, it was written in hopes that the TV show Man vs. Food would come to Des Moines. In the show, the Man (most likely the same man) tries to eat food. Most likely different foods, and lots of it. Hence the name. Because it’s a battle.

Metromix has put The Emmenecker up as the preeminent oversized Des Moines food. Great. I’m sure The Emmenecker could hold it’s own in many cities. (I’m looking at you, Peoria.)

But, here’s where the story gets more interestinger. They claim, and I quote:

…even the biggest of guys has to take part of it home in a doggy bag. Adam Emmenecker himself occasionally orders the sandwich, and has managed to finish it a few times.

Woooah. Back the three-point line up. First of all, does this mean Adam is the only human to ever finish his sandwich? Because if so, my stomach begs to differ. Ten times. And while Adam has never smelled–nevermind tasted–a sandwich better than his, let’s set the facts straight. Adam ate the whole thing one time. The first time. Because he is a man, and men eat their own sandwich. This ensures dominance over the food and anyone who tries to challenge the sandwich. How many times has he finished it since the maiden voyage? Agga. That’s point guard for zero. As in never.

The man is in training. To be a professional athlete. Do you know what kind of damage eating that whole thing would do? It would set his body back days, if not weeks. It’s like doing two-a-days twice a day before noon–and then getting run over by a minivan on your way to the locker-room.

But, the bottom line is this: Adam has eaten it, and can do it again. So, this here Webmaster offers a challenge. A challenge to Metromix, and to the TV Man.

Bring Man vs. Food to Des Moines. Take on not just The Emmenecker, but Adam Emmenecker. That’s right. A face-off of gastronomic proportions. If our Adam wins, the TV Man (also named Adam) has to wear Adam’s Drake jersey on TV. If TV Adam wins, we can get him a sandwich named after him at Jethros.

Your move, Eating Man.

She said the man in the gabardine suit was a spy

Two consecutive weekends of road trips are now finished. After travelling about 10 hours each way back to Michigan to see my family last weekend, my three and a half hour trip each way to Minneapolis for Thomas Diezi (Big Swiss)’s wedding seemed short.

With Lindsay as my date, the two of us left Friday evening after she was done working and stayed with one of my friends in Minneapolis. Incidentally, this friend (Amy) is a girl from Saginaw who I did not know until college when she started dating a good friend of mine, Travis. After graduating from Michigan State, she moved to live in Minneapolis and work at Best Buy with a good friend of mine from Drake, Tom. After going through some trouble with her housing (a major understatement considering the high rent and fire – long story) she ended up moving in with a girl she’d never met, but was also from our area in Michigan. Small world I guess (I hope my story doesn’t seem too confusing with all the connections, its got me a little tongue/type tied…)

Anyway, back to the reason for the trip – the wedding was beautiful. Located at the Semple Mansion on Franklin in downtown Minneapolis, Ann Anders and Thomas Diezi took their vows in the first floor parlor room in front of around 100 people. After greeting each individual row, drinks were served before moving the masses upstairs to a large ballroom for the reception.

Along with other former players Pete Eggers and Brian Hogan, Lindsay and I thoroughly enjoyed the evening. The food was great, both families were having a great time, and best of all, Swiss looked as happy as he’s ever been! Ann was a beautiful and radiant bride and I couldn’t be happier for the two of them.

The night was fun but sadly had to be cut short as Linds and I returned to Des Moines late Saturday night because of our schedules on Sunday. But, I was very happy to be able to share the experience with Swiss and Ann.

Back to reality, I checked the date upon writing this update and noticed the beginning of September was eminent. I never really figured I would still be in the US right now, but all I can do is continue to work out hard and get better, hoping my agent will call me soon. For the time being, I am trying to enjoy myself and my friends as much as possible and take advantage of the opportunities I still have in Des Moines.

Well I Would If I Could

Two weeks since my last post and I have nothing new on the job front. I’ve talked to my agent a few times but have not received any firm offers. I still don’t know where I would go, when I could go… it’s a little frustrating as season’s are approaching. However, I’m trying my best to keep an open mind and be patient.

In Des Moines I’ve been spending a lot of time at the gym with Ajay Calvin and Brent Heemskerk. Since a lot of the Drake guys were out of town spending time at home before school starts, we spent a lot of time shooting together. Things changed today as Brent started his first day at Principal in the Leadership Development Rotation – congrats Bert.

This past weekend I made a quick trip to Michigan with Ajay to meet up with my parents, my sister, and aunt and uncle who drove from Boston. We spent most of our time at our family’s cottage outside of Tawas, MI on Lake Huron. Even though its beautiful on the lake, the weather would not cooperate. Despite never getting warmer than 63 degrees and cloudy, we still enjoyed the outdoors and were on the lake as much as possible. Arriving Thursday night and leaving Sunday morning, the trip was short but fun. We also celebrated my mother’s 60th birthday a few weeks early since both my sister and I were in town. Happy early birthday mother!

Now that school started back up being at Drake feels a little different. Everyone has places to go and things to do. Meanwhile, I keep working and wait for a phone call. I am excited for the Drake guys to be back so we have enough bodies to play pickup everyday. I just work everyday to try to get better.

Until next time.

Happy Birthday Dad!

With nothing new on the basketball front, I keep working out, preparing myself for a contract (hopefully). From what I hear, summer signings have been slow because of economic problems with a lot of teams across Europe. Sponsors are lowering their contributions and teams are lowering their overall salaries. Hopefully that doesn’t mean the news will be too bad for a 6’2” non-scoring point guard.

After my friends left, I was happy to have my mother and sister in town for a few days. Even though we didn’t do anything special, it was good to see them and spend some quality time.

Over the weekend, I attended my third consecutive Iowa Barnstormers game with Lindsay. Three games, three victories. Congrats to the Barnstormers for the playoff win. Now they have another big game this Saturday, hopefully propelling them toward the finals in Las Vegas!

Sorry, nothing much to report. I just wanted to make sure to give a big Happy Birthday shout-out to my father!