The Real Athlete blog

I see nothing wrong with this message from LeBron James, especially since he appears to be answering the critics whose perspective was championed by Charles Barkley. I strongly disagree with what Barkley and his supporters were saying about the future implications of LeBron’s team selection, and I believe Charles’ reasoning was historically irrational and misguided. Essentially, Charles said LeBron should have chosen to stay with the Cavaliers primarily because that would’ve allowed him to be the undisputed leader rather than just a super cog. Furthermore, Charles argued that by not staying in Cleveland, LeBron was somehow dishonoring the cultural status of NBA basketball by rejecting the notion of competing with superstars like D-Wade for the top NBA dog spot. According to Charles, this was the true effect of LeBron joining a team that already featured another player of roughly equal star status. Never mind that Charles, who never won an NBA championship, was thinking about his own ego needs, and wasn’t really speaking from first-hand knowledge of what makes LeBron tick.

As I have mentioned numerous times, the game of basketball has afforded me the opportunity to meet some amazing people, travel to some amazing places, and have some amazing experiences. All of which I am thankful for.

MSN Money recently rolled out a new online reality series called The Invested Life. Over the next 9 months, it will feature the stories of 7 real-life investors who will be working with financial coaches to transform their portfolios and lives. Among these investors is former NFL linebacker Winfred Tubbs who played in the League for 7 seasons (Saints and 49ers) and retired in 2000. Tubbs is paired with his long-time confidant and Financial Advisor Ed Butowsky, and is on a quest to manage his money properly and have a balanced portfolio now that he is entering the married life and preparing for his daughter's college education.

“I always stress condition with my basketball players. I don’t mean physical condition only. You cannot attain and maintain physical condition unless you are morally and mentally conditioned.” —John Wooden, college basketball coach

It’s been awhile since the 2010 Winter Olympic Games and they were simply amazing to watch, weren’t they? I had so much awe and respect for these elite athletes as I watched them sled, ski, jump and skate, with speed, precision and grace.

It’s not just the Olympics; I have this same feeling when I see an amazing catch in football, or a precise move in dancing, or even an “invisible” technique in the martial art of Bujinkan.

In observing these elite-level athletes, their physical and technical prowess is glaringly evident, and their endurance and technical precision is obvious to anyone who watches their performances.

When it comes to scouting players either for your program, or to prepare for your opponents, there are many key tools I like to keep it mind when evaluating talent either on the high school or collegiate level. Here are a few key tips you can keep in mind this season with respect to how you should evaluate your players, or assess their future potential. Players should also use this as a template for what college and/or professional scouts may be looking for in determining your future potential.