Story:Rough Beginnings Pt.2
Rough Beginnings Pt.2
Written by 0utFox
Since the new year, Wojtek has become quieter. He knew beating himself up over and over in the locker room wasn't going to solve anything. He kept looking into which areas he should be focusing on to improve, but over time it became apparent there were a LOT of areas that needed focus, and that it would take YEARS to get them all improved to a desired level. The more the bear analyzed his performance, the more depressed he got. He kept thinking to himself: "How did I get drafted 6th? I didn't deserve to even be in the first round..." There were many nights where he went to sleep with tears in his eyes, disappointed in himself. That carried over to the matches. In January things looked a bit up, but since then he played worse and worse, and was getting less playtime as a result. One word kept reappearing in his mind: liability. Without him, the team would surely do better.
That didn't mean he didn't try things to get better though. He worked harder than ever in practice, he started going to the gym more regularly, worked with coaches Lawson and Kincaid to improve his strength and athleticism, but his mind was never really there. He pushed hard, he wanted to get better, but progress didn't follow. Everything he tried felt like a waste of time and energy...
Wojtek didn't tell anybody how he felt. Not that he tried to hide it, but he didn't show it either, it was difficult for others to notice. He was very stoic, emotionless, whatever he did, whatever the team did. Didn't talk to anyone, kept to himself more and more. Secretly he hoped that one day, his fortune would turn around, but that glimmer of hope was getting overshadowed by feelings of disappointment and worthlessness. He even thought of leaving FBA completely and going back to Poland... The season could not end soon enough.
The Moonshiners had made it to the playoffs, facing the Firestorm. Wojtek was still playing, but only picking up the scraps, only a few minutes per game. Tennessee lost the series in a heartbreaking way in Game 7, and with it, the team would now begin to relocate to Texas. Despite the disappointment of being eliminated, Wojtek was secretly glad the season was over. He desperately needed to get his mind off of basketball. The next day he set up a video call with his parents. He was bottling up a lot of thoughts that he felt he couldn't talk about with his teammates or coaches, he was very insecure… and hoped talking about his problems with someone he could trust would help.
“...yeah dad, I'm ok. We lost, but gave it our all”
“We keep reading about you in the news, Wojtek. You're barely playing. What's happening?”
“...I think I'm not as good as I thought I was.”
“Nonsense, you're the best center in Polish league's modern history! You were like a brick wall last year!”
“But the FBA is something else. Players here are on another level, the tactics and playstyles are a lot more focused on offense, so shooting is crucial. And because I can't shoot that well, I was moved to the bench… and now I fear I’m not good enough…”
Then Wojtek’s mom raised an important point: “...and why would that stop you?”
“...huh?”
“You're the grandson of a national hero, Wojtek. He never let any setbacks stop him. We all know how much of a role model he is to you.”
Wojtek began to think: “...you're right. Why would that stop me?... I've been dragging myself down all this time. If I want to make it here, I need to earn it.”
“Yes, keep up the good work. I know the first year was probably confusing as a newbie, but we believe in you, Wojtek.”
“Thanks, mom…thank you both. I needed to talk about this… it was too much…” Wojtek was on the verge of tears.
“We're here for you, son. We'll always have your back.”
“Thank you, truly… I should get going, need to get some things sorted, but I'll work hard in the off-season to improve. For you, for Polska… for granddad.”
With that and some goodbyes to end the videocall, Wojtek felt like his life force came back. He felt a lot easier, the worries and stress falling off his soul like a huge rock. He felt determined. The first year was a hard crash with reality, but life was never easy. And the bear wasn't gonna stop at anything in order to make his family and his country proud.
Featured Characters
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