There have been a few fans who have asked me to chronicle my experiences as an NBA player. Well, I guess I shouldn't say "fans", because, of the thirteen fans of the Polish League that read my blog - and actually understand it - I'm sure not all of them are my fans.....so I'll say "readers". I should also say that readers calling me an NBA player is kind of like calling Yuri Andropov a Soviet Premiere - it doesn't matter how I got there or how long I stayed, but rather that I was there. Despite barely having a cup of coffee in the League, I have a lot to say about it. So, since my last entry was longer than a Polish winter, I'll keep this one short by answering a few questions posed to me by some readers.
Why do you lick your finngers so much on the basketball court?
The quick answer is: Because it gives me a better grip on the ball - I don't know why others don't do it more. Some would probably ask "with your Dr. J-like hands, why do you need better grip?" For me it goes back to my days as a football player. No, not Zidane, Beckham, Dudek football – real football....American football. My dad was a quarterback (the guy who throws the ball) in college as well as a High School football coach. He taught me that lickinng your fingers helps you to hold onto the ball more securely. So, all through my days as a High School quarterback I continuously kept my fingers moist. A football and basketball have the same feel, so it only makes sense to lick my fingers as I prepare to handle the rock. I know it seems a bit unsanitary and gross to some, but it is very helpful.
Why don't you penetrate and dunk more, like you did at home against Astoria?
Because I'm an old man and not every team leaves the lane so open to drive into as Wiekiera and the boys did. Actually, whether I'm old or not is open to debate, but i did have a conversation with Blake Hamilton last weekend in Kolobrzeg that made me feel VERY old. It went like this:
BH: Nordgaard, where did you play college ball?
Me: UWGB. You?
BH: Monmouth. But, I'm a rookie.
Me: Oh, I've been out for a while - I finished in '96.
BH: Yeah, I know. I remember watching you when I was a kid....er, um, I mean in junior high.
Me: Holy Shit, do I feel old!!!
Despite my veteran status, this reader makes a valid point - I do tend to take the majority of my shots from behind the arc. Early in my career I was a more versatile player. I would shoot the three, penetrate, post-up, run the break, even throw down a few dunks. However, as the years have passed, I've become more of a specialist - a 3-point shooter. A big reason for that transformation is because I have become a better long-range shooter later in my career (this season not withstanding) and my quickness is not at the level it once was. I try to work to my strengths.
Another reason is because I'm playing with so many good players, I don't want to force something when we have other good options. This season I have pretty much played in this way: If I'm open I'll shoot. If not, I'll look for a better option - Adam or Mike in the post, Jagoda or Chris coming open, or Isti to nail a three. Early in my career my role was a bit different - I HAD to score for my team to win. I don't HAVE to score for Prokom to win, but this reader is right - I can really help our team by being more aggressive and versatile.
Are you, as a Polish citizen - embarrassed by our government?
In my first blog entry I stated that from time to time I feel embarrassed about the leadership in the US government. Well, I have to be honest, I'm not educated and informed enough about Kaczynski and the other Polish leaders to actually voice an opinion. The biggest reason for my ignorance is that i struggle mightily with the Polish language, so I don't spend much time "reading" Gazeta Wyborcza or watching TVP. Of this I am quite embarrassed. I have spent nearly five seasons in Poland - I even took a Polish language class last year - and yet I need to have finished off a half dozen Tyskies in order to say more than "dzien dobry", "jak sie masz?" or "jeszcze jeden piwo".
I think of myself as an educated individual, but I feel like Dan Quayle at a spelling bee when I try to figure out why my name can be said Jeff, Jeffu, Jeffem, Jeffego, Jeffek, Jeffardowski, Jeffinski (ok, so some of these aren't real) po Polsku. Am I an idiot? Anyways, I'm fortunate so many people here speak Polish. Dziekuje bardzo!!!
One more thing....
I know NCAA Hoops may be of interest only to Stinger and a few other readers, but it would be blasphemous of me not to mention the Final Four coming up this weekend. It has absolutely been the best tourney in history. There have been enough upsets, buzzer-beaters, overtime nail-biters and amazing performances to fill five tourneys. The biggest surprise being George Mason - a small school cinderella knocking off the giants on their way to an historic Final Four run. To give you an idea of what they've accomplished - it would be as though AZS Koszalin just knocked off CSKA to reach the Euroleague Final Four. Anyways, I don't know if the Final Four can match the excitement of the previous rounds, but I invite you all over to watch the games this weekend at Mike Anderson's apartment - he loves company.