Last week we started talking about being “game changers”
by running a “give and go” offense (giving to support the work of ministry /
realizing we are called to be ministers)… Yet being good on the offensive end
involves consistency and maturing as a “player”… it is typically characterized by
the picture of an “old school” point guard… a guy that keeps the game under
control and makes those around him better.
This week I am going to highlight a player I have written
about many times (and admittedly I am biased as he is one of my favorite players
of all time both on and off the court…) Tyler Lewis is the picture of a game
changing point guard, yet it is not always on the stat line. In fact one
columnist (Lou Pascucci of PackInsider) said if you were to judge Lewis by his
stat line of points you should “go ahead and write him off.” He hasn’t been
scoring a lot; in fact he’s been in a bit of a shooting slump. Yet, and I quote,
“his game isn’t based on numbers; it’s based on flow, trust, and game
management.” What the writer is seeing is a “throwback” to a point guard that
is thinking others first instead of shoot-first. He writes that Lewis’ “presence
does something to this Wolfpack team”; and then goes on to tell how other
players have emerged as a result of Lewis’ game control. He calls him a “catalyst
for this offense”, a “floor general and distributor.” (Over the past 3 games
Lewis has had 21 assists and zero turnovers… and he is on pace to set the
single season assist-to-turnover mark for NCSU.)
The three areas he mentioned were flow, trust, and game
management. These are great attributes to have on the court as well as in life.
Flow: how you
are playing the game which is a result of how you are seeing the game… I can
tell you that Tyler sees the game as well as any player I have ever coached or witnessed.
It is so difficult to trap him because he is so aware of what is ahead and has
learned to avoid traps. He knows when to speed up and when to slow down. He knows
when to simply go a different direction. An immature player tends to run right into
trouble…
Proverbs 22:3 A prudent man foresees evil and hides
himself, but the simple pass on and are punished.
Trust: Tyler’s
teammates know he not only protects the ball but that he is looking for them.
They have been the recipients of his passes that arrive on time and in the right
place… They know that Tyler wants them to score even more than he wants to
score himself; he is a “distributor.” Many modern point guards are caught up in
the hype of scoring and it destroys their ability to have their “presence do
something for their team.”
Philippians
2:4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the
interests of others.
Game Management:
A great old school point guard understands the importance of every possession
and values the rock! He recognizes the game plan of the coach and carries it
out (often being referred to as a coach on the floor – or as Tyler was called a
“floor general.”)
Ephesians
5:15-17 So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you
get. These are desperate times! Don’t live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure
you understand what the Master wants. (The Message)
So do these attributes characterize your life?
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