Mr. Cressey:
I see myself as one who must answer this call.
I’m a 45 year old who has continued to play basketball since my college days. I have participated in many other sports over the years, but the love for game has remained.
I played small forward, or what is now referred to as the 3, at the div 2 college level. I now play at a variety of gyms in my community here in Oakland, CA. Places where I know people and the fighting is at a minimum. Age leads to choices like that. In the past, I played in adult leagues but had to stop when my boys were born and I was in graduate school. Haven’t gotten back into that.
I’m 6-6 and a lean 215-220 pounds(don’t laugh). I know that’s skinny as hell for most people on this website, but I see myself as an athlete first. I made the mistake of bulking up to 239 at 13-15% bodyfat and found that the only thing it improved in my game was my ability to battle inside and watch in bewilderment as lighter players rountinely skyed over me for rebounds or ran around me on their way to yet another ankle bustin’ score! My joints also took a pounding at that weight.
So I decided to get as lean as possible while increasing/maintaining my power and max strength. This is working. I feel good on the court again. And although I have continued to be able to dunk over the years, it is a hell of lot easier now that I weigh in between 215 and 220 and can squat 165 kilos and dead 177.
I was turned onto lifting by one of my high school coaches. He played for a minute in the NBA in the mid-70s. He also turned me on to Dianabol. He said he used it college to help him recover from the year-round intense basketball that he played as a collegiate athlete and he knew I getting ready to play college ball. But I only used the D-bol for a couple of months. I stopped when an old-head at the gym told me what this stuff actually was and what it would do to my D(amn)balls (not that I am anti-steriod-just don’t have a need for 'em)!
Anyway, I know that lifting weights has been a major part of my ability to continue to play the sport I love and compete against younger opponents. And this website, especially your articles and those of CT and Joey D have really helped me make the most of lifting time.
Besides being able to continue playing into my senior years, I have a goal of continuing to be able to dunk at age 50. And if I die while balling on the court, I can think of no better way to go except while balling in the bed with my wife.
I know this website will continue to help me do what I love and do it to my potential, whatever that me be at the time.
