I was at a wedding recently and the pastor who was marrying the couple told a great story about a conversation that he had with the groom that related to marriage being a lifetime commitment.  The pastor, who was a good friend of the bride and her family, met the soon to be groom after they had been engaged, in order to get to know him a little bit.  In that time, he asked him if he was going to be a chicken or a pig when it came to being married.  I was not there, but I can only imagine the groom’s reaction to this question.  On the surface, this is a strange question, but when you delve into it, the question truly makes sense to anyone who has ever had eggs and bacon (or any sort of pork product) together for breakfast.  The pastor continued with his story, explaining that the chicken is merely involved in this all-American breakfast because all the chicken has to do is lay the eggs which get taken from the nest and cooked while the chicken lives to see another day.  The pig, however, is committed to this breakfast relationship because in order to be a part of it, they are killed, cut up, and cooked, never to see the ligh of day again.  As I recall this story in my head, I cannot help but to laugh at the matter of fact truth of it.  The story really made so much sense to me when I heard it being applied to marriage and the more I think about it, the chicken and the pig story can be applied to your success as a basketball player, coach, or athlete of any sort.

As I think back to some of the greatest players that I have worked with through the years who have made it to the NBA, NFL, and all levels or college athletics in sports such as basketball, football, soccer, and gymnastics, they all had one common characteristic.  These athletes are committed to being great.  Geat players are not just involved, they do not just put in the time when they feel like.  Great players do not end up playing at such a high level by accident.  They are willing to go a step beyond everyone else.  They did not fear mistakes, they make them, embrace them, and learn from them.  These athletes are students of their sport, watching, listening, and learning at every opportunity.  They are all in the gym when others are home relaxing.  They are committed to being great athletes in their respective sports and do whatever is necessary to achieve success.  

Success does not happen as a result of luck.  I hear all the time how this person and that person is lucky.  A wise man once said that those who work harder tend to have more luck than others.  Consequently, success is a by product of commitment and the hard work it entails.  It is not a by chance that athletes achieve  success.  They achieve success because in the chicken and pig relationship, they are the pig…they are committed.

Dedicated to taking your game to the NEXT level,

Rich Stoner

USAW Sports Performance Coach

Elite Basketball Training, LLC

Ps. If you are a Pig and committed to being great, then you really need to check this out now at www.basketballspeedandagility.com.  Pigs may not be quick and explosive but you can if you use this product.