Summer Schedule

It's been three weeks since the last time I posted, but from now on my posts should be on time each week.

I was really busy last month, with finals and lots of banquets.

But now is the time to get better.  This summer is the game changer.  It's grind time.

Last summer, I planned a summer long training regiment with alternating weeks.  Although everything was meticulously detailed, it was extremely hard to complete because I relied on a training partner who was out of town a lot.

Last Year

This year, I'll make the schedule much more flexible but still keep key components.   I'll still keep the alternating weeks, the test days, and the high volume workouts.

This should fit my busy summer schedule and help me get a lot done.

Now, I'm off to write it. :)

Aaron Chan

Friends Are a Mold in Which You Are Formed

1 point.

The difference between a win and a loss.  The difference between receiving or losing a scholarship.  The difference between being number 1, or being a nobody.

In a society like today's, where competition is so high, a mere second, inch, or step, forwards or backwards,  can be the life or death of your career.  You have to make the perfect read, at the perfect time, and execute perfectly.

A lot of people believe that practice is how you get better, but they miss the fact that games solidify your skills.  However, there are also people who believe in only playing games, that practice isn't important.
Recently, someone told me that all I need is practice, only to change his mind a couple of weeks later, telling me to only play games, yet I believe both are important, one must only find a balance.

If a player only practices, he'll panic in game situations, but if a player only plays games, he won't have good techniques.


This week, a close friend of mine decided to end our friendship.  I was shocked, as I had poured so much energy into trying to help him.

This made me think back to something someone once told me, "If you are extreme, those around you have no choice but to leave, or also become extreme."

I then realized that was why he left.  He didn't want to change, so he had no choice but to end our friendship.

This also brought a Kobe Bryant quote to mind.
"[My drive] has alienated me from the...people who are comfortable with second place...the majority."

It makes me sad sometimes, how you must push away some people you love, because they are detrimental to your life.  Every person you meet leaves an impression on you, but those who you spend the most time with exert the greatest influence on you.

Choose who you associate with wisely.

Aaron Chan
*I will be posting on Saturdays OR Sundays due to my busy schedule

Game Day

Game day.

This is what athletes live for.

And that happens to be today.

Game days are full of mental, physical, preparation, although they differ for each individual athlete.

For me, Sunday game days start with going to Church.  I get my priorities set, and I give myself time to mentally reflect.

Next, I eat a high energy, protein filled meal.  It will usually be a cheese ham double-egg omelet with spinach.  This way I can ensure I can perform at my best without a full stomach.

I take an hour or so to work on little details of my shooting form, but I take care not to exert too much energy before my game.

I then spend some quality time with my family, and finish off with some time by myself to meditate.

If I have time, I'll take a quick nap before I get on te road, but it's not extremely important because I should be getting enough sleep from the night before.

Now finally, it's game time.

This is the most important part of the day.

For you, it might be time to sit back with a bowl of popcorn and cheer, but it's execution time for me.

Everything in my day leads up to this, so when I finish this blog, it'll be grind time.

Starting now.


Aaron Chan

New Diet

It finally ended.

I ended my diet yesterday, and I've gained over 5 pounds and 2 inches on my vertical.  I didn't reach my goal but I did enjoy the process.  

I'm probably going to start a new training plan this month, but I need to set aside enough time to study for my final exams and AP tests.

I can't wait for the summer because I know I'm going to get so much done.  I'm planning to take SAT classes, hoop 24/7(duh), get my drivers license, and work.

Last week, I was interviewed by PepsiCo for a job this summer, and if I don't get it, I'll probably work as a lifeguard.  When I get my license, I will be able to drive myself to work, KD, and basketball.  That would be extremely helpful as I don't have to count on someone else to give me a ride.

So for this new training plan, I'm going to use it only until the end of this month.  Instead of focusing on strength, I'm looking to work on skill and conditioning.  That means more skill-based workouts and lots of running(uh oh).

I will still complete my strength workouts but keep them limited to 2 times a week.

I noticed that I've been feeling low on energy for the past week.  I believe it's a result of not staying hydrated and not eating healthier foods.  In order to perform well on my exams, I've decided to eat more vegetables and drink more water.

That's all I have for you today, I hope you come back next week!

Aaron Chan

European Basketball

I've realized something startling this week.  For some reason, overseas basketball just keeps getting more and more desirable.

Although my dream of the NBA still burns, a career in Europe sounds almost as great.

I like the fame and money that comes with the NBA, but sometimes I feel as if that will pull the focus away from the game, the ultimate love, the ultimate goal.  

Basketball in Europe isn't about the ooh's and the ahh's.  It's about team-work, and playing smart.  In stark contrast, the NBA is entertainment.  It's geared for the audience, so the more ankle-breakers, buzzer-beaters, and windmill dunks they have, the better.

So is my top goal still the NBA?

Yes, and it will most likely stay that way.

The problem is, everyone around me seems to want me to achieve other things instead of my number one goal.

Perfect PSAT and SAT scores, 5.0 GPA,  a clean room 24/7, a business or law degree in college, a IB diploma, the list could go on and on.

While I don't have an objection with that, I know I'm going to have a problem balancing all those with school, basketball, family, friends, and God.

Therefore, I've decided to sacrifice some things for the last six weeks of school.  I've recently deleted most of my social media on my phone, and I am cutting down on my sleep(Oh crap).  I'm going to follow a rigid schedule so I can get all my training done while still allotting time to study for my final exams.


For all of you who read my earlier blogs, you may remember my "diet".  Next week will be the last 7 days of my regimen, so I will post my results and my new goals next Saturday.

(Kale, spinach, raw egg, banana, milk, OJ smoothie)

Aaron Chan    

Family

Hey everyone,
Im sorry I forgot to post yesterday.

I spent a lot of time with my siblings and went to bed at 3:00 AM.

Yes, I did have homework and training I needed to get done, but I prioritize my family before all those.  So today, I'm cramming all my studying and training that I skipped from yesterday.  

This week as a whole was very monotonous.   Nothing really happened or changed, except that I was able to complete the training I hadn't been able to do before. 

I've been able to get up earlier before school and follow through on my daily schedules.

I might start playing for another basketball team in order to get more game experience. There are some things that can only be learned in game situations.  Not by training, not by film, and not by pickup.

I've also been eating better and doing recovery exercises more, and as a result I've been feeling much healthier and stronger.

So for this upcoming week, it's my goal to execute everything faster and better.  

Thanks for reading my 10th update, I hope to see you next week!

Aaron Chan

AAU 2.0

This weekend was one of the worst I've had in a while.  A lot of things have been going wrong, especially basketball and my grades.  My PSA team lost by a couple of points on Friday,  and I played almost 5 minutes total.
Things like that frustrate me.  I hate losing.  I hate sitting on the bench.  And most of all, I hate losing while sitting on the bench.

When I got home that night, I felt as if I was reliving last year's AAU season.

As one of the few freshman on my AAU team, I played a maximum of 5 minutes per game, and I clearly remember that one tournament where I played a stunning total of 0 minutes.   0.

So on Friday night, I felt the pain of losing but most of all, I felt the pain and anger from the fear and slow realization that my whole year of training was all for waste.

It was as if I could see AAU season 2.0 looming just over the edge of the horizon.  The incoming doom and helplessness I felt was an emotion I haven't felt in over a year.

It was especially disappointing due to the fact that I was one of the top scorers in every game I've played in for the past year.  Even in our PSA opening night, I had at least 10 points, and played at least half of the game, helping my team to a 62-24 win.

However, I've learned some very important lessons this weekend.

I learned a lot of my mistakes I've been making in games, and I set up a new schedule to fix those weaknesses this month.   I also learned that everything rests in God's hands, and I should put my trust in him for everything I do.

So this month I will be following a new strength and skill training schedule,  and I'll be spending more time with God.

Thanks for reading my update, please come back next week for more!

Aaron Chan