Don't you get sick of hearing from coaches and players in all types of sports how they were flat. "We just weren't ready to play" a common excuse given after a game. What does this really mean? We have had a couple of occasions this year where we seemed guilty of this and also some opposition teams that would feel they were guilty of the same thing. While I am sure that sometimes it would be true and for what ever the reason a team is a little off color but there are plenty of times where I feel the opposition where just better in their play. So wouldn't it be nice to hear a coach or player say a little more often we where not good enough. Give the opposition credit where it is due.
Against the Heat last night I had a few players say we where flat in our warm up and didn't seem to be ready to play. Yet we scored the first few points and looked fine at the start of the game only to have Harbour then go about their business in dismantling us and giving us a comprehensive lesson on Championship play. Interestingly, I must say is it because we were flat that we failed to implement the game plan that allowed the Heat to then do what they wanted. I don't think being flat did that. So I don't buy into this whole being flat business. It is to quickly bandied as an excuse when things don't go well. Now I am not saying that on occasion we don't feel great but fair dinkum everybody has those days. The best teams overcome this and find a way to succeed. So I say stop making this excuse and prepare yourself and then grind it out and find a way to succeed.
On the Heat they certainly need to be placed as favourites. Having played the so called heavy weights except for Nelson they are the best we have faced. Their attention to detail is second to none and they play with an intensity that screams we want to be achievers. I hope our guys look at that and learn. As the late Skip Prosser (former coach of Wake Forest) says "Analyse success don't criticise it." I want our guys to look at what Harbour did and set out to take some lessons from the game. If we do that then we can continue to improve and make the Hawks a tough team.
With energy
SD
