Puerto Rico...Game 1

Last night I made my debut for the Guaynabo Mets as we started off the series with a home win.  The game is much more physical than I was used to playing in the NBDL.  While handling the ball you can push, shove, smack, slap, etc and most the time not get called for a foul...although that works into my advantage on D it was definitely a drastic change.

I got to be matched up with Walter Hodge who I played against the NCAA tournament my freshman year as we lost to the eventual National Champions of Florida.  He has been tearing up the Puerto Rican league the past two years.  My teammates and I held him to 8 points and he eventually fouled out midway through the 4th quarter.

Offensively, I just tried to be a facilitator my first game and get other guys involved and see how the league was played and the refs called the game.  The stat sheet said I had 3 assists but I believe I had more than that, but the main thing is that we won.  I didn't take a shot from the field but was 5-6 from the free throw line with 7 rebounds, and 3 blocks.

All in all it was a good first game in the league.  Hopefully on Wednesday I will be able to contribute more on the offensive end and still be the same defensive player I have always been.  More to come on Thursday as we head to their place for game 2 of the best of 7 series.

On to the next one...

Boilers takin over Beantown!

Last night it was an unbelievable feeling for me just to watch and hear two of the all time Purdue greats get their name called in the 2011 NBA Draft.  It was an honor for me to get a chance to play next to them for three great seasons.  All the memories will be cherished forever.

I wish I could have been in Indianapolis anxiously awaiting JJs name to be called with the rest of his great support system.  He has always said that he wanted to play in the NBA and help his mom out.  His mom is an unbelievable lady who works hard to provide for her children....that trait obviously was carried on to JJ.  Now it is his turn to thank his mom and provide for her.

I have never necessarily liked Boston but definitely respected the way they took care of business.  As of last night, with the rest of Boiler Nation, I have a little more love for the Celts.  So, I just want to send out a special congrats to JJ and Smooge on making their dreams become a reality.

Best Wishes to both of you!!

Puerto Rico

Felt like last year as I was plane to plane and hotel to hotel.  That is what my last week has been like.  From Fort Wayne to San Antonio, San Antonio to Chicago, Chicago to Huntington, and Huntington to Puerto Rico in a 5 day span.  With all that travel comes lack of sleep which I got to catch up on during the 5 hour flight to San Juan.   I arrive to 95 degree weather and traffic that reminds me of LA or NYC.

Staying in a hotel for a few days until I get my apartment i'll be able to get my feet wet of this new place.  Good signs as I was on the way to the hotel though when we passed Burger King, McDonalds, Churches Chicken, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and best of all Subway.  I now know I will not go hungry while on this adventure to play the game I love.

First game is tomorrow even though I will not be able to participate I am gearing up for this playoff run.  Its not everyday you get a chance to play in the post season with a chance of contending for the championship.

There will be more to come after the game tomorrow.  Updates available twitter as well….@chr15kram3r.

Stay tuned my friends!

All-Star Break...at Purdue

Its been a few weeks since I have blogged.  Its been a long couple weeks with a lot of travel and errands to get done.  This week is All-Star break and that gives me time to rest my body and see some people that I have not been able to see much.

This weekend I am in Boilermaker Country prepping for the a huge game in the Big Ten on CBS.  Although, the Bucks got the best of the Boilers in the first matchup I am expecting a much better performance by the Boilers and also expect the Bucks to miss a shot this time around.

I wanna take this opportunity to wish my teammate Walker Russell Jr. good luck in the D-league All Star game.  Hopefully he brings home the MVP award and gets a W.

Next blog to come soon....no more weeks off.

Motivation...

In this weeks blog I am just curious to what motivates you.  I know a lot of people are different and different things motivate different people.  So my questions for everyone are....What motivates you? Why do you think different things motivate different people?

The thing that motivates me the most is people doubting me or telling me I cannot do something.  I have been proving people wrong my whole life.  Growing up and a kid from a small town in Indiana no one gave me much credit and they said I could never play D-1 basketball.  The next challenge however is proving people wrong that I can play in the NBA.  With a lot of work and some good coaching I think I will be able to make my ultimate dream come true.  Success is something that motivates me too, but doubters really fuel the fire for me.

I think a lot of people are motivated by money due to the economic standing we are in.  I am a firm believer that money does not bring happiness.  Some of the richest people in the world are not even close to happy.

Anyone have good responses Id love to hear them.

Follow me on twitter @TheChrisKramer

Day of hoops

College Gameday....what more is there to say?  A chance for the Boilers to knock off Sparty and get back on track.  Keys for the game in my opinion each way.

For Michigan State:
1. Equalize JaJuan Johnson
2. Rebounding
3. Find an X-factor

For Purdue:
1. Rebounding
2. Transition D
3. Bench play

From experience if you can win the rebound battle and keep State out of transition you are going to give yourself a great chance to win.  They run so many sets Purdue's D should be able to take things away or at least push State's offense out on the court.

The atmosphere is going to be unbelievable!  I wish I was able to be in attendance and watch the Boilers protect their home court.  If we get 70+ points we are a tough team to beat.  Look for Smooge and JaJuan to keep playing like senior All Big Ten performers and look for J. Hart, R. Smith, or L. Jackson to step up as well.

Prediction Boilers by 4

Follow me on twitter @TheChrisKramer

The Beginning

Hey! How is everyone doing? I am just starting a blog to talk about the things that are going on in my life, mainly basketball.  Other then that I will talk about things in my life and then try to challenge or motivate too.

I am going to start this first blog with the frustration that is going on in my basketball career.  I am playing for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants and we are struggling as a team right now.  We cant seem to put a full 48 minutes together.  After playing so well in the month of December, January has gotten the best of us.  Playing 14 of 17 on the road is obviously a tough task but we have lost some games we should have won.  It is back to the drawing board and we are going to get things turned around.  Have you came and saw a game?  If not I think you should.

To top things off it was a tough week for the Boilers this week.  Two road games in two hostile environments and couldn't get over the hump.  I will give credit where credit is due so kudos to Blake Hoffarber and Kevin Jones.  They made play after play to answer Purdue from taking complete control of the game.  I know a lot of people are going to jump off the bandwagon but I would never count out Coach Painter and his staff or the team lead by beasts JaJuan Johnson and Smooge Moore.  Look for the Boilers to turn it around this week and get back on track.

Basketball is life!

CK