I came across a two nuggets this week:
UCLA Coach John Wooden won 10 NCAA championships in 12 years. During that period, his teams won 88 consecutive games. Here is a quote from him:
"I think it's the little things that really count. The first thing I would show our players at our first meeting was how to take a little extra time putting on their shoes and socks properly. The most important part of your equipment is your shoes and socks. You play on a hard floor. So you must have shoes that fit right. And you must not permit your socks to have wrinkles around the little toe--where you generally get blisters--or around the heels. It took just a few minutes, but I did show my players how I wanted them to do it. Hold up the sock, work it around the little toe area and the heel area so that there are no wrinkles. Smooth it out good. Then hold the sock up while you put the shoe on. And the shoe must be spread apart--not just pulled on the top laces. You tighten it up snugly by each eyelet. Then you tie it. And then you double-tie it so it won't come undone--because I don't want shoes coming untied during practice, or during the game. I don't want that to happen. I'm sure that once I started teaching that many years ago, it did cut down on blisters. It definitely helped. But that's just a little detail that coaches must take advantage of, because it's the little details that make the big things come about."
Then during one of the preseason games the commentators were talking about Mikal and how he has not missed a game in over 400 consecutive games and Mikal says he attributes it to stretching not only before games, but after games, too. Now of course, there is a lot of luck involved. Stretching doesn't help if you've been undercut, or twisted an ankle when someone steps on your foot, or tackled by by Embid. However, you do what is within your control.
Now I don't know what OG's and Mitch's routines are, but they certainly are more injury prone than the average guy. What if, Humor me here, WHAT IF, Mikal's supplemental value in coming to the Knicks is that some of his routines for body management infiltrate the Knicks culture to be more prepared to prevent injuries?
I know what you're going to say, these guys are professional, and have professional trainers, etc.
But you never know... Just maybe. A brother can dream. Stretch, OG, stretch!
Love the Wooden stuff!!!!
OG got tree trunks for legs and I have to assume given his intellect has a good reputation he is doing many things right before and after games. Perhaps if he as not he'd have been done a long time ago or injuries more frequent.
I have to assume also that new contract comes with knowledge he is a true pro on and off the court as to how he takes care of his body. Guy's like Kobe and Lebron are legend to what they did off season and the work they put in. Even the most prepared athletes get injured but not known is how much worse would have been if not for that work!
Im impressed how OG has played thus far. Nice to not see a wrap on his hammy. Those legs are his money makers.
The context of Mikal was media asking him about his streak and he also attributes it to having small but strong bones!
We assume players have secret sauce and share it. The many professional trainers they have working with the Dr.s are behind the scenes teaching players how to better themselves.
Wemby explained he has been doing a lot of stretching as a teen as his body grew to limit the issues that come with hypergrowth athletes and injuries. Most teens want to sleep and hang with friends. This kid been preparing for his career. Wemby is high profile because he made it! Lots of players do this stuff but never talk about it and even more never made it the pros. They did the best they could with what they got.
I hope OG with knicks resources is able to find a greater durability over the Course of his contract.
AC Green career was crazy and perhaps won't ever be duplicated (game streak). This guy was very religious and Was over thirty years old when he lost his virginity.
Contract to Magic Johnson who fucked everything that moved. LOL
Apparently it includes preaseason too!
One thing I remember John Stockon say that was the biggest reason for his and Malone's long career was their specific stretching routine that they did every time. I adopted a routine of my own and would always do my stretching no matter how stupid it looked on the court. Started doing it in my twenties. Fast forward to 2023, and I was still playing ball at 43 years old full court with 17-19 year olds, being a monster on D. Never had an injury on court that would be serious enough to make miss my basketball days of the week. Last year I noticed that my knees have been ground up tho. It would take me like a week or two to recover after games to make the pain go away. Now I don't play regularly anymore. Sucks, but I have learned to appreciate other things in life...
Oh and when I was putting on my shoes I used exactly that method. Except I wore double socks always to help stop the blisters. Double knots in the shoelaces. Wouldn't have it any other way.
Someone tell Brunson no drawing charges in the preseason!!!
