Tag Archives: basketball

Inspiration

For the love of the game

David Tepera – March 1, 2017

For those of you who’d played sports when you were young, do you remember how much you loved the game?

Even though I played multiple sports in my youth, I had a passion for basketball. I think I gravitated more toward basketball because it’s a sport you can play and practice by yourself.

Typically, most other sports like football and baseball require a partner. So, it was easy to pick up a basketball and start playing. My dad set up a wooden backboard nailed to the roof, just like most houses during my era. I would be out in the driveway for hours.

Once I was older, martial arts became my passion.

OK, let’s look back and remember the process most of us shared for the love of the game. The steps are: you became interested — infatuated — loved it — routine — burn out — lose interest — walk away.

Now, how many of you just thought about your relationship or marriage? According to statistics, this happens to almost 60 percent of married couples.

Why can’t we recognize this process and change it back to the infatuated love once shared?

Look at your partner and remember what attracted you to them. There was something unique and special that caught your eye and made the heart skip a beat.

Take a realistic look at yourself. Maybe it’s time for you get back in the game. Remember how you would go out of your way to show this person how much you were falling in love?

Get out of your old routine, show some romance and be frisky and daring again. Make a surprise date night and do something you both used to love. Maybe it’s time to dress up and go dancing. There’s nothing better than shining your belt buckle on the dance floor.

It’s no secret, dancing gets the juices flowing and sets up the late night rendezvous. Wink, wink. You know what excites your partner, so do it.

Now, it’s time to get back to the love for the game. It’s in you, so get moving and put your plan together, you sexy rascal. And by the way, you’re welcome.

Inspiration

Mastering free throws is critical

By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Tuesday, January 31, 2017 

Free throws are one of the most critical components of a basketball game. Close games are won or lost through free throws.

Usually every basketball practice requires players to work on their craft. If you ever pay close attention to the free throw shooter, you’ll notice each player has a ritual before taking the shot. It’s important for them to repeat the feel of the shot in order to be successful.

All teams are aware which players have the highest and lowest percentage of free throw shooting.

Sometimes, when the game is close with time running out, teams will foul the player with the lowest percentage, hoping to get the ball back without being scored on.

So, obviously, there’s a lot of pressure to be a good free throw shooter. Your skill is critical for the ultimate outcome.

There are many of you with occupations that require critical precision. Think about welders and electricians whose skills can be life or death situations. They must master their craft or it could be a catastrophe.

You could say the same about surgeons, space engineers, pilots, refinery workers and so on.

Sometimes we forget how critical our daily decisions are in order to maintain a quality of life.

We must be dependable employees, supportive spouses, firm — but loving — parents, plus be kind and helpful to others.

Today, you’ll be out in this world interacting with people. Are you the person you would want to be associated with? Do you lift spirits or tear them down?

I know people who look at each day as another day closer to death. They try to pull others into their misery. Not me, see ya later. I choose happiness, and so should you.

What decisions will you make today that’s crucial for you and family?

No matter what challenges my children had faced the day before, I make sure each morning, before they go to school, they know how much daddy loves them.

We all have important situations in our daily lives that require critical decisions. Master your craft and be the person everyone can count on to win the game.

Inspiration

Use ‘fast break’ to score in life

By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Tuesday, January 10, 2017 

If you’re not familiar with the term “fast break” in basketball, it’s when the offense moves the ball up the court as quick as possible to score before the other team’s defense can set up. This is usually done with one or two passes.

Before the fast break originated, the team that was scored on would sulk and take their time in-bounding the ball while the other team was celebrating their score. Plus, it gave the fans time to scream and yell at the opponents.

Once teams started using the fast break, it was catching defensive players off-guard and quieting the fans.

It’s really embarrassing to be celebrating while the other team scored right back at you. It’s kind of like, “in your face, chump.”

You know, sometimes life will score on you, too. But, instead of whining and licking your wounds, you must react quickly to counteract the situation.

You might have just lost your job, and now you’re scared due to financial insecurity. This situation is critical, so you must fast break to new employment.

Yes, you can be upset and play the blame game, but immediately update your resume and get moving.

Remember, even when you obtain another job, it may take up to another month before you receive your first paycheck. Obviously, a fast break is crucial in order to pay your bills that are piling up.

Years ago, a friend of mine, who I’ll call “Connie,” lived along the Gulf Coast. She had lost her job in the hotel and restaurant business. Connie wasn’t in any hurry to find another job because, according to her, there’s tons of opportunity in that business.

Well, after about a month without income, Connie started applying, but every hotel had filled their positions. Now, she was in panic and confused on what to do next.

You see, Connie lost her job in May when all coastal hotels and restaurants were hiring for the coming summer tourist season. If she would have started a fast break, then unemployment wouldn’t be an issue.

A comedian once said, “I have enough money to last a lifetime. I just need to die next week.”

Today is your wake-up call. Tie up your sneakers, put a game plan together, and fast break down the court for a life winning slam dunk.

Inspiration

Life gives you unlimited fouls

By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Tuesday, December 6, 2016 

When my son Dylan was playing basketball, I would gauge his performance on two statistical factors. The first factor: how many fouls did he commit?

In the game of basketball, you are allowed five fouls before being ejected from the game.

In the early years, Dylan would have anywhere from zero to one foul. I would explain to him that it’s obvious he wasn’t aggressive enough and needed to defend the basket better.

Besides incidental fouls, sometimes a player has to commit a foul to stop a critical point from being scored.

Dylan stepped up his defensive skills, committed at least two-to-three fouls per game, and helped keep the opponent’s score lower. And yes, he did foul out once in his career, but his shot-blocking was impressive.

The second factor I gauged Dylan on was how many times he went to the free-throw line. You see, getting free throws means you’re being aggressive offensively by driving to the basket to score.

If Dylan wasn’t getting to the free-throw line, then he wasn’t trying to score hard enough. He needed to help his teammates, take on the opponents and get to the basket.

Well, aren’t these two factors just like in life? As humans, you’ll commit multiple fouls. We all have made bad decisions, committed sins and hurt others. Some of these are embarrassing, but don’t beat yourself up over it. It’s a part of life that helps us grow and mature as adults.

Not all our fouls are committed on purpose. How about financial purchases, bad relationships or workplace choices?

The beauty of all this is life will give you unlimited fouls. Just do your best to not repeat the same foul.

Also, recognize life will foul you back. This will be your turn to shoot at the free-throw line. It’s a moment to regroup, reflect on the situation, shoot the ball and move forward again.

When we reflect over our lives, do we think about how easy it was to score? Of course not, we’ve all had to fight through adversity to conquer life.

Just know, if you’re dealing with life’s challenges at this moment, then grip the ball, lean your body forward and fight your way to the basket and make the game-winning point.

Inspiration

One person can affect a whole city

By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Recently, I was explaining to my son Dylan about the financial impact that superstar athletes have on their cities. For example: LeBron James generates over $100 million annually from tourists to the city of Cleveland through hotels, restaurants, shopping, transportation and so on.

I continued explaining, to think about all the families who were able to raise their children and have a decent living — all because of one person.

That’s why when LeBron left the city, he did more than disappoint the fans in winning a championship with the Miami Heat. Cleveland, Ohio, really did lose its king.

The whole reason for having this conversation with my 17-year-old son is I want him to start thinking about how he can influence his community.

Dylan replied to me that there is only one LeBron James. I told him, “You’re absolutely right, and there is only one Dylan Tepera.”

You see, Dylan has one more year left in high school, and then it’s off to college. But, I want him to create a career to help others and bring goodness to all.

Don’t just think about working in a corporate environment where you’re being told what to do on a daily basis. Yes, you can start there to learn about the real world, but you must have the desire to go beyond.

At an early age, I instilled in my children to own their own businesses and create a brand that makes people’s lives better. When you’ve accomplished this, then you’ve succeeded.

Don’t worry about the income. Money will follow and grow when you’ve created a brand of integrity and passion.

Now you must think about you. It doesn’t matter that you’ve settled into a comfortable living. We must all find a way to help others. It’s as simple as volunteering to an organization in your hometown.

Look around and see where there’s a need. Try to find a way to generate money or get others involved to help charities or people in need.

We must all act now because we only have a short time on this earth. We are neighbors and in this world together. Our destiny is to inspire and have a positive influence in life.

Inspiration

Now’s the time to separate yourself

By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Are you bored with your life? Have you allowed yourself to become complacent with the same old routine each day?

Look around and notice, you’re probably wearing the same style of clothes as everyone else your gender and age. And sadly, you’re probably just as out of shape and overweight.

We are all creatures of habit. It’s our way of staying organized and possibly less stressed. But there are many of you whose routine isn’t going anywhere productive.

Maybe now’s the time to separate yourself from the average person. Be the silent leader by changing diet, exercise and lifestyle.

You will find it very rewarding and encouraging when people ask, “Something is different about you. You look good. Did you lose weight?”

My son Dylan is a junior in high school. His basketball season ended around two months ago. Afterward, we had a serious discussion to find a way to separate him from all the other players since he will become a senior and in his final season.

Our plan is to add as much muscle mass as possible and to work on speed and vertical leap.

What most people don’t understand is you typically don’t see results from training until after at least a month. If you can stick with it past that time, then body changes start kicking in and keep rolling.

Dylan didn’t have any weight increases during the first month, even though he was eating six meals a day. He also brings food to school to eat between classes.

But now, a little more than two months into training, he has gained 12 pounds of solid muscle, massively increased strength and added almost 2 inches to his vertical.

You see, Dylan is the average height of 6-feet, 1 inch like the majority of players on his team. But I guarantee next season he will be the biggest, fastest and strongest.

Now, it’s time for you to separate yourself from co-workers or teammates. Put a plan together, stick with it, and take your life to a whole new level.

Inspiration

One play can win a game or change your life

By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Tuesday, April 5, 2016

How many times have you played or watched a sporting event in which one play turned the game around?

Think about it — one shot, one block, one hit, one spike, one tackle, and so on.

Most of the time, this is extremely important while the clock is winding down.

Before every basketball game my son Dylan plays, I remind him that one shot doesn’t lose the game, but one shot will win it. He knows to take the shot.

How about the one play in our daily lives? What’s the one situation or the person who has changed your life? Maybe, it was a job opportunity, kind words during a difficult time, or even money and help when you desperately needed it.

Remember, to make it a truly life-altering event, you must be all in. No turning back to old ways and habits.

There had been many situations where one play enhanced my life.

One of the biggest events was more than 10 years ago, becoming a single parent raising two kids practically on my own. I had to immediately break some bad habits and become the best role model possible.

This not only gave my kids a wonderful loving life, but created amazing opportunities for me as well.

I know other people who’ve had one negative play that changed their life forever.

A friend of mine saw herself in Christmas pictures this past December. She came to me shaking and crying with embarrassment asking for help. I let her know that she’s already won the biggest battle because of her commitment and desire.

This lady is on a mission and has lost over 20 pounds in three months.

Let’s admit it, we’ve all had one-play events in our lives, but how many of you have been the one play in other’s lives? It’s as simple as an act of kindness.

Look around and reach out. Hopefully, your name comes up when someone confesses the one play that changed their life.

Inspiration

Do you have a March Madness mentality?

By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Since my son Dylan’s passion is basketball, we’ve been watching the March Madness tournament.

One of the exciting components of this particular tournament is that each game will be your last — if you lose. So, every team and each player is playing to their utmost ability.

It’s been amazing watching these players battle to the end with last-second game-winning shots.

This made me think about my own life and how I attack each day.

How much more productive and powerful would we be if we took on March Madness mentality? For us to get up each morning with the ambition to conquer the day because if we don’t, it could be our last — to know losing is not an option.

I will be the hardest worker today. I’ll get to work 30 minutes earlier and stay 30 minutes later.

I’ll let everyone close to me know how much I love and appreciate them.

All my friends can count on me to be trustworthy and dependable.

My children will have an interacting father helping with homework, shooting hoops in the driveway, getting snow cones and giving lots of hugs.

Those of you in relationships, be creative and adventurous to show appreciation and love. It could be as simple as going grocery shopping together.

Today will not see shortcuts. I will be in full force to smash through negative barriers, leaping over life’s obstacles to cross the finish line setting new records.

Just know, you better get out of my way because I’m not going around you.

Since I’m a champion today, I’ll take it to a new level tomorrow and conquer this March Madness tournament of life.

Inspiration

Encourage kids to dream big

By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Remember when we were kids with dreams of becoming movie stars, rock stars and professional athletes? But as we became older, the real world came crumbling down and our dreams faded away.

Why does that have to happen? Why can’t we live out the biggest dreams imaginable? Someone is doing it. Why not us?

When my son Dylan was 10 years old, he played Little League Baseball. After one of his amazing performances, the coach gave him the game ball. My dad, his grandpa, had Dylan autograph the ball and told him to practice signing baseballs because one day he’ll be a famous player.

That moment actually impacted me. I thought it was a great idea because Dylan dreamed of one day becoming a professional athlete. His biggest desire is to play in the NBA, for basketball is his passion.

When Dylan was in seventh grade and a star player for his school’s basketball team, he had a teacher who was the biggest LSU fan. Dylan happened to win an LSU basketball at the amusement park in Kemah. I had him autograph the ball, put the date on it and give to his teacher. I told him that one day you’ll be famous and that ball will be her treasure.

Dylan is now 17 years old and still has dreams of being involved in the NBA. I explained to him to keep those dreams because it will happen if you put in the work.

I let him know, LeBron James is a historian of the game. He knows the history and stats of all past players who paved the way to present day NBA.

Larry Bird was known to be at the basketball arena three hours before each game to practice all his shots.

Erik Spoelstra, the Miami Heat’s head coach, started out as a nobody breaking down the opponent’s film before Pat Riley gave him the break of a lifetime. As we all know, Spoelstra went on to coach in four NBA championships and won two of them.

Now it’s your turn to be a parent, and your children are having those same big dreams. Are you encouraging and supporting them? All kids want to make their parents proud, so embrace these special moments. Even if they don’t become NBA players, they’ll succeed in the game of life.

Our children are the future and a product from our parenting.

Fitness, Inspiration

Reach new levels with a good wingman

By DAVID TEPERA | Posted: Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Having a strong wingman will help elevate your skill set. In my day, it was Scottie Pippin with Michael Jordan and John Stockton with Karl Malone. One of today’s most known wingmen is Klay Thompson with Stephen Curry.

Arguably these particular wingmen would be superstars on mediocre teams. But without them, how well would their teams had done?

So, who’s your wingman? I’m sure you have one and might not be utilizing them.

Do you have a spouse, business partner, co-workers or a training partner?

There’s truly not a more important wingman than your spouse. You’ve planned to spend the rest of your life together and will need support and strength in every aspect and adventure in life.

How about your business partner? Do you both have a common goal of wealth with integrity? Are you sharing the same investment of capital and work ethic?

I once had a business partner in a medical equipment company that required us to meet at patients’ homes after their surgery to set them up on rehab machines. The timing was critical to ease patients’ pain.

My partner started slacking and would go to the gym or take long dinners before helping. I gave him a fair sum of money and eliminated his name from the business. My reputation was on the line.

Choosing the right training partner is critical in order to obtain fitness goals. It doesn’t matter what challenges you faced during the day, when you step into the gym, it’s game on with exciting encouragement.

A good training partner will not let you fail because each session should make you better, stronger and faster.

If your wingman becomes undependable and gives regular excuses, then it’s adios amigos. Let them hang out with other lazy people while you sculpt a swimsuit body.

So now, what character traits does your wingman have? Don’t forget, you’re someone’s wingman, too. Maybe it’s time to re-evaluate your life and step up your game and those around you.

Let’s make this life journey together and be everyone’s wingman.