2023-12-29 16:35:18
“When you want to shoot, it doesn’t matter how you catch the ball, and during the game, you may not have time to align your fingers with the lines of the ball.” A basketball without lines is twice as heavy as an ordinary basketball. Basketball is Derrick Rose’s treasure, and has even accompanied him from Chicago, New York, Minnesota, Cleveland, to Memphis, where his career started…
“Willing, willing, ready…”
A 3-pound orange basketball is regarding twice as heavy as an ordinary ball. There are no stitches on it like ordinary basketballs. All it has is Derrick Rose writing motivational words on it with a black marker.
This special weighted ball has accompanied Rose through several cities, including Chicago, New York, Minnesota, Cleveland, Detroit, and now Memphis. Rose almost always carries it with her. When she arrives at a new place, Rose will be there. Write some words on it to give it a clear meaning.
Why bring this “different” basketball with you?
“To me, this ball is like Wilson in “The Rebirth”.”
“Without it, I might have been out of the league.”
Because this basketball is not only the key to Rose’s transformation, but also the spiritual pillar that helps him overcome difficulties in his darkest moments.
“This ball is unique”
In 2010, Rose, who had just finished the second year of his career, had already been selected for the All-Star Game. He had made a name for himself in the league with his incredible physical fitness. At the end of this season, he would even lead the Bulls to the first place in the league. His record earned him the title of Most Valuable Player of the Year.
But Rose still had a weakness at that time, and that was his three-point shooting.
“This ball helps me maintain a consistent shooting posture.”
“I also use it when I practice dribbling because it makes my arms stronger.”
Two years into his career, his three-point shooting percentage is less than 27%. Rose knows that if he wants to move to the next level, it is necessary to strengthen his shooting ability. Therefore, he actively trained with the team’s assistant coach Ron Adams, hoping to improve his shooting. It was also at this time that Adams suggested that he use a special basketball.
Under Adams’ recommendation, Rose began to use weighted balls for shooting training, and the effect was immediate. The next season, Rose’s three-point shooting percentage increased to 33%. Although it was not a shooter level, it punished those who were afraid of his cutting. The defender who chooses to retreat can be said to be more than enough.
However, just when everyone was optimistic that Rose’s future would get better and better, an accident happened. A large number of frequent injuries took away the explosive power that Rose relied on, making him no longer able to run and jump like he used to. The former Chicago Rose has turned into a wandering player. Although he is still favored by teams, he is still favored by teams. But we can never return to our past glory.
“People always say, ‘That’s not how he shot in his prime!'”
“But it doesn’t matter to me, I’m always adapting to the skills this league needs.”
Without speed, Rose knew he had to stay in the league. The outside ability that was once the icing on the cake has now become a life-saving straw that he has to practice. Therefore, he began to focus more on using weighted balls for shooting training, and changed his finishing habits. He changed from using exaggerated physical strength to break away, then cutting into the basket for dunks, to dribbling to get rid of opponents, and using mid-range before the second line defense came up. end.
The three-point shooting rate has averaged 35.5% from 2018 to now, which is also a passing level. And his career has gone from being in jeopardy to being a useful veteran on the bench. Part of this change comes from the improvement of outside ability, and the improvement of outside ability comes from that special basketball.
Back to the place of origin once more
“That’s the only reason I’m still here.”
“I just want to find a way out of the game and try various methods to gain abilities.”
“I do this all the time.”
Joining the Memphis Grizzlies this season makes Rose feel very familiar, because it was here when he attended the University of Memphis that he won the favor of scouts and eventually became the No. 1 pick. Now, at the age of 35, he has returned to the place where he made his fortune, feeling quite like a hero returning to his hometown.
“When I left college and went to the NBA, I always wanted to stay here longer.”
Recalling when he left college for the NBA, Rose always wished he might stay in Memphis for a while. Now, he’s ready to stay in Memphis for a long time.
Rose’s mantra is “live in gratitude.”
And on his inseparable weighted ball, there is a sentence that exactly reflects his spirit:
“Willing, willing, ready…”
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