Everyone is Replaceable

Being an athlete of some sort most of my life...beer pong and flip cup do count by the way, this is one lesson I waited a long time to learn. And I have to say, as with most things, I learned it the hard way.

I was in college. It was my final year and I was a team captain. I was averaging 38 minutes a game, almost 30 points, over 10 rebounds, and shot a better than average percentage from the floor.  There were plays designed for me to get my shot off and defenses would send their best defender after me.  I even had an article published about me in the Dallas Morning News.  And with that came ego.  Yes, I was a good small college basketball player, but not irreplaceable by any stretch of the imagination.

I have no idea who we were playing, but it was mid to late season so it was probably a conference game.  A player had just joined our team after spending a semester in Rome.  She had only practiced with us for about a week or so, and her knowledge of our plays and defensive scheme was minimal at best.  As the game wore on, coach decided to put her in.  Other players were helping her get in the right position for plays and helping her out defensively.  As for me, I spent the same time on the floor frustrated and not helping in any way, shape, or form. 

We were down and needed some quick scoring so my play was called, a basic double down screen for the shooter.  I had some of the best screening post players that year and 9/10 times, I would be wide open for the shot.  On this particular play, I lit into the new player.  She had no idea what to do and just stood out on the 3pt line...right where I wanted to take the shot.  Consequently, we turned the ball over and I continued to gripe at her all the way down the court.  I made an ass out of myself.

The following day, I could not get that single moment out of my mind.  I went in and sat down in my coach's office and apologized for my behavior.  She accepted it but had not decided if I was going to start the next game.  With what pride I had left, I went down to the floor to shoot around before practice.  That one moment had taught me a very valuable lesson...I could be replaced, no matter what my stats were.  Needless to say, I busted my ass in practice, kept my mouth shut, and did start the next game, but my coach left me guessing for a week with plenty of time to reflect and get my ego in check.

Confidence in yourself and your abilities is one thing, but an ego driven, "I am the best and no one is better than me" attitude is pretty much a big fat lie you are telling yourself.  There is always someone out there that is bigger, faster, stronger, and will kick your ego in the ass.  If not today, then maybe tomorrow.  If not tomorrow, then maybe next week.  But it is coming...and usually from where you least expect it.

The games we play are forever evolving and so are the players.  Enjoy your moment because someone is coming up behind you ready to fill your shoes at any moment.