"This is how I let you down" by David "Tin-Tin" Watts

Alongside my basketball career I have always coached and mentored aspiring basketball players that have dreams of playing U.S. College or Professional Basketball and I have noticed something these past few years. The urgency has gone from the game. The desperation to succeed and achieve your dreams. I know that there must be multiple factors for this and a million excuses can be thrown out there and I’ve heard some great ones.

I was always lucky to have such great mentors, coaches and team mates that believed in me. The situations were never perfect and I sacrificed, over and over, to achieve my dream of playing professionally. I was lucky. Lucky to have the chances I had. There were players out there that out worked me and lots that were better than me. I made excuses and cut corners but I was held accountable every time I did by my younger brother, who looked up to me, team mates and close friends. I’m very aware that my career is coming to an end now and I’m definitely going to miss aspects of the game and most things that go with it. This could well be my last season playing and I’m OK with that but I want to offer young players some advice. Firstly, I’m sorry I let you down and never reached my potential. I did a lot of training but not more than those that play at the highest levels.

1.Embrace The Process.

Struggle is good. It makes you tough. Never back down because of it.

2. Hold Yourself Accountable.

Don’t blame others for your mistakes, missed practices, bad diet etc. These are all controllable and you need to take responsibility for your self.

3. Work In The Shade.

Not every workout needs to be posted on social media or bragged about. Let your work speak on the floor and not in the locker room.

4.You Can Always Do More.

You’re never as tired as you think. Put the work in and you’ll be surprised what happens.

5. Don’t Complain.

No one cares. Change it or accept it. If you have the option to change your circumstances for the better, then do it. If you’re complaining about lack of minutes, put the work in to earn more.

6. Spend Time With People Who Understand Your Goals.

Those that don’t get what you’re doing will steal your time and drag you down.

7. Don’t Care What People Think.

It doesn’t matter. At all.

8. Lead Your Way.

When you find yourself in a situation where everyone looks at each other, it’s time for you to lead. You‘re a leader when you decide to become one. There’s no initiation or a title. Just a decision.

9. Find A Way.

There’s always someone out there in a worse situation than you that is making more of their opportunity. It’s easy to make excuses and no one is interested in them, just make things happen.

10. You’re Not Entitled To Anything.

You have to put the work in. You have to earn everything. Minutes, money, respect, all come with hard work and focus.

11. Pay the F.E.E.

Focus. Effort. Execution.

12. Stay Humble.

Don’t brag, don’t show off, just do what you should.

I get that this is coming from a player that never fulfilled his potential but maybe if I had the presence of mind to follow this advice, things would have been very different. Now, get out there and do stuff.