Fall down seven… stand up eight

I’ve been avoiding this for a while now.  It’s not something most people care to admit and I’ve been finding plenty of other things to talk about.  But after the seventh time I can’t hide it anymore.

Losing seven games in a row ties a high, or more appropriately a low, for me where basketball Is concerned.  Before this little run it was my freshman year in college that took the undesirable cake.  We lost seven games in a row back then and it wasn’t pleasant.

While yes, this is the same amount of games, it is much more drawn out and frustrating than it sounds (if you can imagine).   See, in Germany, we only play once a week.  And because you are so good at math you say, “Well that’s seven straight weeks of losing.”  And you would be wrong.

You have to figure in that this cute little streak began before Christmas.  Yup, the last time we celebrated a win was November 19th: nearly 12 weeks ago.

When you lose, especially in the public eye, you always feel like you are letting so many people down.  On top of yourself, there are your coaches, fans, and your friends and family.  In reality though, all these people don’t have the time or energy to spend being disappointed in you.  People don’t think about you nearly as much as you think and those who truly matter are still proud of you.  They still have their never-ending belief that for you, success is right around the corner.

Sometimes it is so much easier to believe in others.  Why is it that it takes much more effort to believe in yourself?

I am trying to be much more optimistic in life (emphasis on the trying) but honestly, my realism is enough right now.  Because the truth is, we can win.  We can just as easily win seven games in a row.  We are talented enough and I think we want it bad enough.  I mean, who wouldn’t after going three months without it?  We can win, we just have to go out there and do it.

I tend to think about basketball from a coaching standpoint, I always have, and most of the time I know what I would do as a coach in certain situations.  But this one?  This one is difficult to find the answer to.  You have a talented team that plays together, works hard, and gets along but they can’t pull out a win.  It’s tough to stay motivated failure after failure.  I mean, how many people would continue to put themselves on the line after failing seven times in a row?

Well, I have the answer to that: athletes and competitors.  Even I, a former pessimist turned realist, can stay positive—because I’m a competitor.  There is something about a basketball game that makes me believe I can do anything, that my team can do anything.  And maybe that’s crazy.  But here’s hoping “crazy” can keep us away from that eighth in a row.

Danielle Clark

About Danielle Clark

I am 28 years old and for 5 years out of college I played basketball for a living. I was a professional basketball player in Europe so I spent most of my years there and came back to Maine for summers and a couple weeks at Christmas time. I thought my years there would open my eyes to what I want to be when I "grow up." That didn't happen. I have discovered, however, that I just have to try something. Just do things and toss myself into them. I have currently tossed myself into being a college basketball assistant coach and one on one reading tutor. I grew up in Corinna, Maine and have been a resident Mainer. I love sports, reading, writing, cooking, baking, watching movies... everything. I have lots of hobbies and not enough time in the day!