There are many things that I like to do. Among them are listening to music and being with my friends and family. Although I like many things, there is one thing that I love so much that makes me lose track of time. This activity is playing and watching basketball. Whether I am playing with someone, shooting around by myself, or watching a game on television, I like basketball.
I have been playing basketball since I was about four years old. Since then, I have been in love with the game. What I like the most about the game is the competition. I enjoy seeing players on television in street games competing and leaving everything on the court in an effort to be victorious. When I am playing, I like to compete with who ever I am playing against. I also like challenges and to prove people wrong. For example, if my team is weaker than the other team, I play even harder than usual just to prove everyone that my team is better. Another reason why I like basketball is the excitement of being on the court. I love running on the court and have everyone's eyes looking at me when I have the ball in my hands. What I like to do the most is pass the ball. I like to be unselfish and rather have the good pass and let my teammate make the spectacular shot.
Before I start playing, I always take a few warm-up shots to loosen up and get into a rhythm. As soon as the games starts, even if it is just with my friends, I get into a winning state of mind. I am always willing to do everything it takes to win, even if it is just a meaningless friendly game, but it is all about the competition for me. Although I am always trying to win I never get mad at my teammates if they make a bad play because I know that it is part of the game, and I realize that I make mistakes as well. Early in games, I am more unselfish than usual, especially if my shots aren't falling. I always have trouble on defense because I am not a good one-on-one defender, but I have good anticipation when it comes to stealing passes and blocking shots. On offense, I like to play either of the guard positions, even though I have the body of a forward, because it gives me more chances to touch the ball and make good plays. When the game is on the line, I always want to have the ball in my hands to take the critical shots. Even if I don't take the big shots, I always have confidence in my teammates and I allow them to take them.
Although I haven't played organized basketball on a team in two years, I still play and continue to improve in games in places like parks, gyms, and on the streets here and in Mexico. I played when I was in middle school. In 6th grade I was a starter on the J.V. team and in 8th grade I was a starter on the varsity team. Even though I never played on a winning team, and was never the star player, I always gave everything I had in each game and never lost my competitive spirit. The moment I remember the most from my two middle school seasons was when I made two big shots down the stretch of a very important game. With those shots, I sent the game into overtime where we won.
Basketball has always been there for me. Whenever something is bothering me, I play to distract myself from my problem. During the summer I plan to work very hard to improve my skills because I want to try out for the school's team in my junior year. If I make it to J.V. or varsity, I know that I will always do everything in my power to win and I will leave all my energy on the court because for me that is what it's all about, giving your best effort and trying to be the best at what you love to do.
