My coach and I thought I could swim a 57.3 if I executed the perfect race, but I did even better than that.
Coach Bo Pelini and coach Carl Pelini are two coaches I talk to on a regular basis, especially coach Bo. They are coaches I feel elevated my game.
It wasn't until I was about 16 that I began to grow and develop as a player.
I had this DVD that my coach in Cameroon had mailed to me when I first came to America. It was an hour-long tape of Hakeem Olajuwon and some other legendary big men. I probably watched that DVD every single day for three years.
I try to not to step on any coach's toes as far as what I'm telling the young guys or what I'm trying to give them.
The coaches are working with me every day. And if you feel like the coach is behind you, you'll take some chances.?
Growing up as an athlete, I started skating very young. My parents didn't know anything about the sport, so they went with the flow. I had two great coaches who gave great advice and gave guidelines for my parents. My parents let the coaches dictate what was going on on the ice.
It is up to the coaches to tell me how to play.
Mike Bibby was a huge help for me on the court, giving me advice pick-and-roll wise, where to get my shots, things to do.
Marco Silva is always talking to me in training; he is always giving me guidance on positioning in the area. His coaching is essential for me. He is training me with an eye to being in the right place at the right time when balls come into the box so I am able to score more goals.
Cologne was my big team, my favourite team. I trained one week in Cologne, and they asked me to sign for Cologne. At 17 or 18, the coach asked me to go the first-team training ground. I was lucky to have that coach.
With the inexperience I do have, I feel so fortunate to be around Wade Phillips.
I talked to the players and tried to make them aware of what was good and bad, but I didn't try to run their lives.
We need a club where there is a structure in place, with the necessary support a young coach needs. With a beginner, you need to be patient; there may be ups and downs.
As to adding variations to my white ball bowling, ever since I started playing IPL, I realised you need variations. You can't survive on line and length. You need coaches around you who can guide you to get there. I have been lucky that I have had seniors and coaches who have helped me get there.
I think everyone can have their own opinion. I think that all that matters is how I feel and my opinion, my coaches, and the people around me, like my family.
Some players get over-dependable on their coaches.
I watch a couple of fights to get a visual image in my head. I don't like doing a lot of research on my opponents; I leave that to my coaches.
