duncan228
11-18-2008, 07:46 PM
I didn't see this posted, sorry if I missed it.
A New Season, A New Challenge (http://www.weplay.com/users/TonyParker/posts/4757)
Like anyone who loves playing a sport, you get pumped up for the start of a new year. At the start of every NBA season, all 30 teams in the NBA are on equal footing with one goal... the NBA championship. A lesson you quickly learn is that talent alone doesn't get you anything. You've got to work for it, and that's what makes our league so great.
Once things start, another lesson you learn is that just about anything can happen, including things that are beyond your control. How you react, deal with those unexpected events and rise again is the nature of being an athlete. Injuries are extremely frustrating, but you can't let that get you or your teammates down. You have to endure and persevere when challenges arise. Not every game can be a blowout win and not every path is without obstacles.
Our goal in San Antonio like it is every year, was to get out early and win games. We've had some early struggles in the first few games here, including some games we should not have lost. I also rolled an ankle and have to take the next few weeks off. Not how you want to start a season, trust me.
Truth is, once we're back together on the court and healthy, we've got an exciting team again in San Antonio this year, but it's still the same focus, same game plan, the same ultimate goal. These early challenges to our team will test us, but in the end, they will make us better and stronger and hungrier.
I'll be working every second of every day to get back out there for my teammates.
As a team, we are up for the challenge - with the group we have together, we will be right there at the end. And that's not to take anything away from a though Western Conference that is so deep and so full of great players. You could look at every team and find All-Stars in a few different positions. The Eastern Conference is also strong and the days where the West would dominate the East is a thing of the past... there is no such thing as an easy win in the NBA, so as players, we have to be prepared to a tough fight each night. And that's a good thing.
Last year's early playoff exit was another challenge. Another chip on our shoulder. And after 2003, 2005 and 2007, we're excited for 2009... odd years always seem to bode well for us...
For all you gamers out there, check out the new NBA Live. I'm on the cover this year, which is a great honor. It may be because I won the player tournament at the All-Star Game in New Orleans last year, though I've been on the cover in France for a few years now and it's been great. I love the game and have been playing it forever.
To everyone on weplay who is about to start your own basketball seasons and leagues very soon, I want to wish you a good season, good health and lots of fun. As for me, I'll be back out there soon.
Best of luck,
-Tony
A New Season, A New Challenge (http://www.weplay.com/users/TonyParker/posts/4757)
Like anyone who loves playing a sport, you get pumped up for the start of a new year. At the start of every NBA season, all 30 teams in the NBA are on equal footing with one goal... the NBA championship. A lesson you quickly learn is that talent alone doesn't get you anything. You've got to work for it, and that's what makes our league so great.
Once things start, another lesson you learn is that just about anything can happen, including things that are beyond your control. How you react, deal with those unexpected events and rise again is the nature of being an athlete. Injuries are extremely frustrating, but you can't let that get you or your teammates down. You have to endure and persevere when challenges arise. Not every game can be a blowout win and not every path is without obstacles.
Our goal in San Antonio like it is every year, was to get out early and win games. We've had some early struggles in the first few games here, including some games we should not have lost. I also rolled an ankle and have to take the next few weeks off. Not how you want to start a season, trust me.
Truth is, once we're back together on the court and healthy, we've got an exciting team again in San Antonio this year, but it's still the same focus, same game plan, the same ultimate goal. These early challenges to our team will test us, but in the end, they will make us better and stronger and hungrier.
I'll be working every second of every day to get back out there for my teammates.
As a team, we are up for the challenge - with the group we have together, we will be right there at the end. And that's not to take anything away from a though Western Conference that is so deep and so full of great players. You could look at every team and find All-Stars in a few different positions. The Eastern Conference is also strong and the days where the West would dominate the East is a thing of the past... there is no such thing as an easy win in the NBA, so as players, we have to be prepared to a tough fight each night. And that's a good thing.
Last year's early playoff exit was another challenge. Another chip on our shoulder. And after 2003, 2005 and 2007, we're excited for 2009... odd years always seem to bode well for us...
For all you gamers out there, check out the new NBA Live. I'm on the cover this year, which is a great honor. It may be because I won the player tournament at the All-Star Game in New Orleans last year, though I've been on the cover in France for a few years now and it's been great. I love the game and have been playing it forever.
To everyone on weplay who is about to start your own basketball seasons and leagues very soon, I want to wish you a good season, good health and lots of fun. As for me, I'll be back out there soon.
Best of luck,
-Tony