The Irrational Confidence Guy

Joe's basketball team - the Bucket Squad - lost in the only game he played on Saturday to the Outkast, a rival team with semi-obnoxious fans that our boys are not quite good enough to beat.  Not yet, anyway.  going 1-14 from he free throw line didn't help their cause.  1-14.  Sheesh.

This is not a game recap, though I could write one.  It's a paean to Joe playing what - for me, anyway - might be his best game ever, all without scoring a point. 

Joe's shot was off all game.  He couldn't buy a bucket.  His best friend and teammate, Pike (a.k.a. "Pikael Jordan") was on, tough, and he kept the game relatively close for a while.  

What I loved about Joe's game, though, was his attitude and how hard he played.  Even though he was missing shots, he never got frustrated.  He never showed any negative emotions on the court.  He played defense and he rebounded well.  Defense and rebounding require effort and energy and, as I tell him, effort  and energy never take a game off.  

Late in the game, the Outkast has an insurmountable lead.  Our boys were pressing.  Joe was in the backcourt, guarding his man, when he noticed an open man nearby.  One of his teammates had missed his assignment.

"Whose man is this?!!?" Joe yelled at the top of his lungs, so loudly that several of the Outkast parents - the semi-obnoxious ones wearing Outkast hoodies and t-shirts - snickered.  His teammate who had fallen asleep hustled into the backcourt to guard the open man.  

I loved it because that one moment said so much about Joe and his burning desire not just to win but to compete.  He was going to play his ass off - and lead his ass off - until the last tick of the clock, because that's what Joe does.  Every single game he plays in every single sport.  Basketball.  Soccer.  Baseball.  He fights.  He battles.  He competes.  

Honestly, what more could a father want out of his son?

My other favorite play occurred midway through the second half.  Joe was bringing the ball up the court against a full court press.  He had been stone cold all game long and yet, when he crossed midcoast, he pulled up at the top of the key and shot a three pointer.  It rimmed out, almost going in.  I stood and cheered wildly.

Why?  Because so few players at age 10 have the confidence - the irrational confidence - to take a three pointer at a big moment in a big game on a day when he's ice cold.  Hell, few players at any age have that kind of irrational confidence.  He was convinced the shot was going in and damn, it almost did!  

In that moment, I was so proud of Joe for taking that shot.  He's got that shot in his game and he had the confidence - the irrational confidence - to take it.  I absolutely loved it.  

I'm not sure you can coach irrational confidence.  It's akin to leadership, I think.  A few kids -  not many - have it.  Most don't.  Joe has irrational confidence in spades, which is one of the things I love about him.  He may be 0-7 but he believes - no, he knows - the next shot is going in the basket.  Or, if not, the one after the next one.  

That's the irrational confidence guy.  That's Joe.