Galen Harkness • October 31, 2023
The Unsung Heroes: Benefits of Being the Underdog in Basketball
The basketball court is not just a place where tall giants showcase their dunking skills. It’s a stage where passion, resilience, and sheer will often shine the brightest.
The basketball court is not just a place where tall giants showcase their dunking skills. It’s a stage where passion, resilience, and sheer will often shine the brightest. While the limelight usually falls on star players with unparalleled talent, there's an undeniable charm and value in those players who don’t fit the conventional “star mold.” Here’s why these underdogs, often overlooked, are truly the game's unsung heroes.
**1. Players that Lay it on the Line:**
- **Unyielding Commitment:** These players give their all every time they step onto the court. This dedication often translates into unmatched work ethic and discipline, making them valuable assets to any team.
- **Inspiration to Others:** Watching someone lay everything on the line is contagious. It encourages teammates to push past their own limits and give their best shot.
**2. Might Be Outnumbered:**
- **Mental Toughness:** Being outnumbered forces a player to stay mentally sharp. They develop the ability to handle pressure and make crucial decisions in the heat of the moment.
- **Enhanced Game Awareness:** Consistently being in outnumbered situations can hone a player's spatial awareness and court vision, helping them anticipate plays and adjust strategies on the fly.
**3. Not the Most Talented:**
- **Consistent Growth:** While they might not have innate talent, their constant strive to improve means they're always evolving as players.
- **Team Synergy:** These players often recognize the importance of teamwork. They tend to gel well with teammates, creating harmonious dynamics both on and off the court.
**4. Odds Are Against You:**
- **Resilience Builder:** Facing challenging odds consistently builds resilience. These players tend to bounce back from setbacks quicker and come back even stronger.
- **Unpredictable Strategy:** When the odds are against you, it's time to get creative. These players often bring unconventional and surprising strategies to the game, making them less predictable to opponents.
**5. Nobody Believes in You:**
- **Internal Motivation:** Relying on internal drivers rather than external validation, these players develop a robust sense of self-motivation. They play for their personal growth, love of the game, and the joy of overcoming challenges.
- **The Element of Surprise:** When nobody expects you to shine, you have the upper hand. Opponents often underestimate such players, giving them an advantage and a chance to catch the other team off-guard.
**6. Fight for What They Want:**
- **Determination:** Their fight-centric mindset makes them relentless in chasing goals, often achieving what others deemed impossible.
- **Emotional Strength:** Regularly fighting for what they want not only builds their physical strength but also their emotional and psychological stamina. These players tend not to get easily swayed by emotions during tense moments in a match.
**In Conclusion:** While the world often celebrates the brightest stars, it's the unsung heroes, the relentless fighters, and the passionate underdogs who often make the game truly memorable. They remind us that basketball, like life, is not just about talent. It's about heart, grit, and the undying spirit to keep pushing forward, no matter the odds.
Every player wants to make an impact. Score. Steal. Pass. Rebound. Make plays. Help your team. That's the fun of the game. But what if you're not the biggest or the tallest player on the court? Don’t let size hold you back. What matters more is your effort, mindset, and willingness to work. Here are 5 ways smaller players can consistently impact the game: 1. Run the Floor Sprint hard every time. Even if you don’t get the ball, you put pressure on the defense —and open up opportunities for your team. 2. Cut with Purpose Move without the ball. Defenders relax when you stand still. Cut hard, look for gaps, and make plays from movement. 3. Push the Pace When you get the ball, go. Put pressure on the defense before they’re set. Play fast. Make good decisions. 4. Get Paint Touches Attack the paint. Great things happen when you get inside—draw defenders, finish strong, or kick out to teammates. The paint changes the game. 5. Hustle Plays Win Games Dive for the loose ball. Battle for rebounds. Take charges. Be feisty, relentless, and tough to play against. What Separates Players? Mindset. Do you believe you belong? Do you believe you can make a difference? Keep showing up. Keep working hard. Keep finding ways to impact the game. Your size doesn’t define your value. Your effort and mindset do. https://www.loom.com/share/0c0113c8b25c422ba7e10803b818d6b0?sid=ccecfb29-bc1a-4dc1-ac51-a0ba204e3d18 The video below is of TJ McConnell of the Indiana Pacers. The average height in the NBA is 6'7". TJ is 6'1" and has a MASSIVE impact on the game. He does all the things listed above and more.
Last night, one of our EYG players hit eight threes in a single game. Not because he got hot. Because he made the decision to shoot— And had the confidence to let it fly. That confidence came from 7 months of consistent training: 4 workouts per week 2 full seasons of 5-on-5 play Mostly group training, with a few private sessions He had a goal. He showed up. He did the work, even on the hard days. And when the moment came, he was ready. This isn’t the end of his journey. It’s just a stepping stone. If you know a player with a goal—someone ready to work— EYG is here when they are. Let’s keep growing. Keep working. Keep dreaming. Keep elevating your game.
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