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Journal
Entry #1 cont…
by Tyrus Thomas
NBA ROOKIE PHOTO SHOOT
The photo shoot was like nothing I’ve ever experienced.
For six hours, the rookie class of 2006 took thousands
of pictures at the New York Knicks practice facility in
Tarrytown, NY. A variety of magazines as well as trading
card photographers were present. We took a variety of
action shots, including dunking, passing, shooting, and
we even took pictures while jumping on trampolines. I
think I speak for all the rookies that were there when I
say we all felt like big kids. I think it was the first
time in a while that many of us were able to just relax
and be ourselves. We also were able to play NBA Live 07
by EA Sports. It wasn’t the finalized version, but all
the rookies were on the game. After seeing myself on a
video game, I think I’m finally going to invest in
either a Playstation 2 or a XBOX 360 and put my Super
Nintendo in the closet for now. Although it was a long
photo shoot, it was very fun and exciting.
Journal Entry #2
ROOKIE TRANSITION PROGRAM (RTP)
Although RTP was five long days and put everyone back in
a classroom atmosphere, it was full of beneficial
information and also very exciting at times. The Rookie
Transition Program is a mandatory program for all of the
NBA rookies. Over five days, various speakers touched on
topics such as: money management, drugs, gambling, rape,
maintaining a good personal image and other issues they
felt we could possibly face during our career. During
this program, we listened to NBA legends including Bill
Russell and Kareem Abdual-Jabar.
The focal point of their messages was to get us to
understand that by being in the NBA we are automatically
in the limelight as role models and we should do
everything in our power to keep a good image for
ourselves. I found it amazing to hear the stories about
the guys who played 10 or more years in the league and
didn't know they were broke until they were done
playing.
Some of the former athletes had people "watching" their
money and assumed they didn't have to keep records
themselves and were taken advantage of. Others lived
such a glamorous and expensive lifestyle that they were
not able to save enough money to continue that lifestyle
once they were finished playing.
Overall I had a good time at the “Rookie Transition
Program.” I learned a lot of things about the NBA as a
game and the NBA lifestyle. Hopefully, I will be able to
use all the lessons I have learned to benefit myself as
well as my career.
--Tyrus
If you have any questions for Tyrus and would like them
answered in the next issue of B-NOW please send them to
questionsfortyrus@b-now.com
You can contact Tyrus @ TThomas@b-now.com |
