“I’m Back.”

From the seedy underbelly of society back to inside the lines I go. Basketball has always been life, but now, I feel more connected with it than EVER.

Two years ago, I was forced to ‘retire’ due to a culmination of personal reasons and issues. I’ve spent that time healing, reflecting self-searching and restructuring my entire existence for my next move.

Every legend takes an unexpected hiatus to face their life’s fork-in-the-road… So, what’ll it be? Career and lifestyle or family and freedom? How about both and autonomy? Good health, positive daily habits, a winning energy that carries through every day and an attitude that smoothly confirms that I CANNOT AND WILL NOT be stopped in life no matter what you circumstances get put in front of me?!

The masquerade is over and so is the hiding that followed. The darkness has come to light and my shadow is begging me to do the same.

It has become apparent, after “not hooping” (or so I thought) for handfuls of months at a time [uncharacteristically] that without the love of my craft, life is an empty hallway where the walls are filled with untapped potential and memories of what “could’ve been” had I continued to pursue this silly interest of mine. I must walk this hall and ask myself daily whether I did enough for the game, others, myself, or my family by merely touching the tip of the iceberg and backing off as soon as the water got too deep and cold. Perhaps in another dimension, I gave up when the pressure rose and plain chose not to deliver on executing my reality or vision.

Not in this lifetime.

I’ve won big, taken L’s and learned major lessons.

Why stop?

I’ve made mistakes/hurt those I love, and I’ve sacrificed everything I have i life [literally] along my journey.

I’m sorry for the trouble I caused. As for the sacrifices? There’s more.

My [continued] experiences in my craft propel me to a life of freedom (or so it seems).

To every “failure” - I take it personal.

To every “missed” opportunity will - It WILL in time become a triumphant memory.

If you are confused or upset at me, now is the BEST time to be.

Enjoy it and kiss it goodbye.

To say the very least.

I’m not MJ, but…

I’m back. Enjoy the Show.

~Jamel “Showtime” Jones