Dear Basketball, I Miss You

Dear Basketball

Nothing equates to the feeling of playing the sport you love at a high level. Basketball has, and always will be, therapeutic for me, but lately, I haven’t felt confident on the court.

July 26, 2018, I hyperextended my knee on a simple jump-stop on the elbow. I instantly dropped to the ground and didn’t open my eyes for a solid ten minutes. Being the positive person I am, I got up and tried to start playing again, but it was apparent that I couldn’t continue. The severity of the injury isn’t to the extent of a shattered knee, but it was the first “serious” injury I’ve endured during my basketball career.

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve sprained my ankle more times than I can count, but this injury put me in a slump. Being told I couldn’t play basketball for at least two months was like being stripped of my freedom. It was terrible.

When September hit I was reunited with my rugby team. I knew I had to get back on the field. I’m very big on not letting an injury get the best of me. As I started to progress and workout, the pain went away. I felt good (or at least I thought I did). I went to practice and did a little stutter-step and re-injured my knee all over again. Trips to the ER almost seemed second nature. I looked to the doctor for clarification only to be told I needed six months of physical therapy. It all changed from that point on.

My demeanor changed, my mood began to swing, and I let all the negativity consume my thoughts. I instilled a fear inside of me that became permanent.

The other day, the Great TPR hit my line and asked if I wanted to get a run in. Nervously, and anxiously, I accepted, knowing I haven’t played in months or began physical therapy. That 10-minute drive felt like an eternity because even though I had some J. Cole on the radio, all I could hear were my thoughts.

I kept thinking about how my knee gave out when I first injured it. It’d rehearse over and over in my mind, and by the time I got to Lifetime Fitness, I was shaking. Do you ever get that feeling that you have so much to give but something is holding you back? I’ve had the feeling for the last eight months.

Since then, I finally caved in and started to do physical therapy. I have a better appreciation for the game of basketball and how it’s played. You don’t realize how fast the game really is until you get injured. Basketball, I miss you, but I will be back!

JMan_Persources