What’s up everyone. I hope your 2013 is off to a great start in every aspect of your life!

I was over at Sparta High School running practice last night for a youth team and every time I’m over there, it brings back memories and gets me thinking. I started thinking about the other day how I visited NJ.com while looking to track down scores from the previous nights games. I started thinking of the Sportscenter I watched recently.

What connects all these things?

The word “Statistics”.

Everything today is so stats oriented. You can look up any stat you want to on any player in NJ on NJ.com (some of you are now leaving this website to go to theirs). ESPN has every stat in the world and many stats you would never think about much less remotely care about.

We tend to forget, that there is only ONE stat that EVER matters.

Winning!

I wish they would do away with the 1000 point recognition. Yes, I scored 1000 points. But, to me, points mean nothing without  victories. NOTHING. Ask yourself this question… Would you rather be the leading scorer, averaging 20, on a team that wins 5 games, with none of those victories having any meaning? Or average 12-15 on a team that wins 20 and is in the hunt for titles? You now have a peek into your true character. Winning rules above all folks.

Don’t get me wrong, 1000 is a great accomplishment and I am proud of that. There was tons of work and sweat that went into that. But there are MANY players that score over 1000 points. What I am MOST proud of looking back on my high school years (which seem to keep getting further and further away haha), are the TEAM accolades. We won over 20 games all 3 years, as well as 3 county tournaments in a row, combined with 2 regular season championships. Looking back, those are the stats that matter.

There is one other “stat”, that isn’t a stat, but should somehow be made into one. The second measure of your TRUE VALUE as a player, in addition to winning, is how you play in BIG games and BIG moments. Anyone can score 20 points in a low energy game against a team with only a few wins. The truth comes out in big games with seasons, titles, and legacies on the line. That’s when your off season work is truly revealed!

I have much more to say on this topic so stay tuned. But for now, remember… what matters most is winning and playing big in big moments. It’s not overall stats, it’s WHEN you get those stats!

Now check out the in season skill sessions that are about to start as well as this cool new video at the bottom!

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The season is now well underway and I hope it has been successful for you and your team thus far. As the season wears on, it becomes more difficult to improve your individual skills and stay sharp. No matter how often you have practice, it can be difficult for coaches to squeeze in skill work with already limited time to cover conditioning, plays, strategies, and more. So the one thing that is most important, individual skills, often gets the least attention! The old adage, “Players are made in the off season”, is true!

That is why we are offering the BT Basketball In Season Skill Sessions. It is VITAL that your skills stay sharp as the season progresses.

There will be 5 sessions offered right in the heart of the season to keep you on top of your game and give you a massive EDGE on your competitors. Each session will build on the previous one in order to maximize your progression.

2nd-5th grade boys and girls                     6th-8th grade boys and girls

                     Sunday 1/13 1-2pm                                  Sunday 1/13 2-3pm

                     Sunday 1/20 1-2pm                                  Sunday 1/20 2-3pm

                     Sunday 1/27 1-2pm                                  Sunday 1/27 2-3pm

                     Sunday 2/3 1-2pm                                    Sunday 2/3 2-3pm

                     Sunday 2/10 1-2pm                                  Sunday 2/10 2-3pm

 

Each session ONLY $20 and will be held at the Sparta PAL Center 38 Station Road in Sparta

For ease of registration convenience, you can either…

1. Email brian@brianthomasbasketball.com or

                                        2. Text 973.534.3085

…with name, age and school

 

We will only be taking 20 players per session so register right away!

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How many of the drills in this video can you do well with intensity? If not all, grab your ball and get to work!!