The Final Four is no walk in the park

February 09, 2012

As I unload my dogs from my car to let them run out in the open land, I look up to the sky, close my eyes and think back to high school. I was once told by a coach in high school that if you want to become a winner, you have to learn to win on the road. And I’m looking forward to this game because I’m amazed at how teams, cities, fans and the media get ready for this event like its a boxing match. They want to know who’s the strongest, who’s the fastest, who’s the quickest, and who’s in good shape for a fight to the finish. There are so many people from around the world that are going to be in Athens, Greece, to see who will be crowned as champs. A good friend of mine called me to say that she is mad at her little sister, because she gets to go Greece as a high school graduation present. She could choose from Las Vegas, Nevada; Madrid, Spain; and Athens, Greece. She and her friend choose Athens, because they heard that there is going to be a big basketball game in Athens. I was speechless to hear that lots of people in the United States of America know about the Euroleague.

Getting ready for the Euroleague Final Four is great: Spending lots of time working on your jump shot and free throw shooting. Watching film of your opponents to see what they bring to the table. It's cool to daydream of making up plays in your head: There are 10 seconds to go in the game... The ball is in your hands... You shoot... You miss the shot... The clock is ticking.... The ball get tipped back out to you... You shoot again... The ball goes in... Game over. You win.

Better yet, what about a pair of free throws needed to win the game. The gym is so loud that the floor is shaking like an earthquake. The rim is moving from side to side. The sweat is running down your face. You make the first one... The ref hands you the ball again and it get so louder that your ears are popping like popcorn... You can't think... You try to focus, but you can't because the fans are so loud... So you just throw the ball up and it goes of the backboard... And goes in. I hope that I never have to be in a spot like that, 'cause I might have to tell the coach to call a timeout so I can change my shorts as I smile.

But I'm looking forward to my team making another run. This is Tau's third time in a row at the Final Four and CSKA has been there five times I think. We just need to get ready. We lost to Real Madrid last week and we need to use that game as a reminder to get better. I’m looking forward to us playing hard when the ball is tipped off. I wish my mother and father and family were here to see their FRED HOUSE play in front of thousands of people. I never thought that I would ever make it to the Final Four. I’m not sure if I will ever make it back here, because it’s so hard to get here. So I have to make this one count. But I will have a big smile on my face when I get off the plane, because this is a blessing from god for myself and my team to be a part of history. As I open my eyes, I realize that I have to go and chase my dogs, because they're trying to catch a man on a bicycle. My fat bulldog is out of breath and I will have to carry him back to the car along with my other dog. What a life!

POSTED BY

Fred House - Vitoria, Spain

DATE:

Wednesday, May 02, 2007