Guest Post: Tre Whitted blogs life in the D-League

Ed.’s note: We’re pleased to welcome a guest voice to D-LeagueDigest for a special Tuesday post. Tre Whitted began his quest to make the Springfield Armor roster in local tryouts this fall and has since made his way into the starting backcourt in the team’s inaugural season. As the 25-year-old makes his way through his rookie campaign, he has agreed to correspond with us for an occasional inside look at life in the D-League. His first installment focuses on the Armor’s home-and-home set with the Maine Red Claws this past weekend. Take it away, Tre.

My first year in the D-league has been a roller coaster ride for sure, not just for me individually but for my team as well. This past weekend, my personal “Space Mountain” thrill ride did not disappoint. Let’s pick up in the action in Portland, Maine…

It was our third time playing the Maine Red Claws in a week. The game started off great. As a team, we were playing well: We got off to a great start, I had a good rhythm for the most part, I played within the offense, made sure I was where I was supposed to be on defense and played with a lot of energy overall. However, just like on any roller coaster, we hit an unexpected drop. What was once a 14-point lead was soon a tie ballgame with two minutes left in the fourth quarter. I sat on the bench cheering my teammates on, trying to stay mentally prepared as well just in case Coach called for me to enter the ballgame.

The call from the coach came sooner than expected. I entered the game with 1:30 on the clock; we were down by one. I knew Coach Brown put me in the game to make great decisions, not to make huge plays but to be solid and make good reads on both ends of the floor.

Well, I let him and my team down. The first time I touch the ball, guess what I decide to do? I literally give the Red Claws the ball with an errant pass to the post. They return the favor by driving the length of the court and scoring a lay-up. We are down by three with less than a minute remaining. The following possession, I am stuck with the ball again in a situation where I have to make a good read. I penetrate to the lane and make a fundamental jump-stop…and I pass the ball right out of bounds.

By this time, I’m shaking my head and asking God, “Why is this happening to me?” I press forward, and my teammates do, too. We fight hard, and with 15 seconds left, we are down by one point. After a missed shot by the Red Claws, we are off and running in transition. The thought of calling a timeout does not enter our minds. I sprint hard to the right corner and plant my feet behind the three-point line. I am prepared: This is a shot I practice everyday before and after practice. I AM READY!

JamesOn Curry penetrates and dishes the ball to me. This is my time. This is a chance for me to right every wrong I did prior to now. The ball feels amazing as it leaves my hand, but it looks horrible as it bounces off the back of the rim. Again, “God, why is this happening to me?” Yet again, my team fights back. This time, we are down three with five seconds left. Guess who ends up with the ball in the corner with his feet set for another attempt at a three-pointer? You got it, Tre Whitted!

The shot didn’t even touch the rim.

I can not describe the feeling of disappointment I felt at the end of the game. I felt like I let my teammates down and more importantly my coach, because he had enough faith to have me in the game during crunch time. On the ride home, I reflected on something I had read in a book entitled It’s Your Time by Joel Osteen. I had to reflect on a palm tree. Yes, a palm tree. See, I’m a very spiritual guy, and I have a strong belief in God. In the Bible, God mentions his followers flourishing like palm trees in one of David’s Psalms. Palm trees were not built to break. In hurricanes, severe thunderstorms, and high winds, palm trees may bend and fold, but they will not break. No matter how high the winds may get, the palm trees stay strong. In fact, studies have shown that while a palm tree is being bent and shaken through the storm, its root system is actually being strengthened. Friday night, I was a palm tree in a wind storm. Friday night, the wind was blowing extremely hard on the outside, but little did I know, my character was growing stronger on the inside.

Although I thought about the palm trees, I still took a horrible approach into Saturday night’s game against the Red Claws. It was challenging for me to shake off my flaws from the previous night. I allowed it to affect my game, and that is something I will continue to work on.

However, my teammates put on a gut-wrenching performance. We played solid basketball for 48 minutes and came out of the MassMutual Center with a win Saturday night. That’s the most important part.

I’m learning that the D-League is not all about skill development but also about character development. How well do you bounce back after a tough game? How do you handle adversity? These are not just basketball lessons but life lessons as well. I am thankful God created me like a palm tree. He created me to bend but not break.

This week in practice, I will continue to work hard, continue to shoot my corner shots and continue to work on my decision making. One day, I repeat, one day, it will all come together.

Until next time…