The Kingdom of the Game is Within You

At Be Like David Basketball, we have entered a new era of understanding. Our original definitions of skills and maneuvers, along with our 3 Tenets, were stepping stones—necessary, useful, and true for a season. But seasons change.

What once guided us has now been fulfilled, completing its purpose and carrying us into a deeper revelation of the game. Today, those principles have evolved into what we now call the 3 States:

1. Player

2. Hooper

3. Student of the Game

   
   

Let me explain how and why.

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Basketball Is Metaphysical

The more we studied, played, coached, saw, and submitted to this game, the clearer it became:

Basketball is not simply physical—it is metaphysical.

There are laws in basketball that govern play whether we acknowledge them or not. Just like gravity, they operate with or without our consent. To prosper on the court you must submit to these laws; to reject them is to struggle and perish in the game.

These laws are not new. They have always been there, whispered through the voices of coaches and revealed to those willing to observe and obey:

• The Law of Shooting

• The Law of Trajectory

• The Law of the Inside Drive

• The Law of Legal Guarding Position

• Even the Law of Traveling

(to name a few)

They are not suggestions—they are truths.

The game itself teaches these laws. But not everyone receives them.

Just as the gospel says, “many are called but few are chosen,” so too in basketball only a select few uncover its hidden wisdom. Why? Because this game rewards obedience, humility, and submission to truth—not pride, rebellion, or self-will.

Those who submit are revealed its mysteries.

Those who resist are humbled by the game.

Skill means Knowledge of the Laws

Our new understanding is simple and absolute:

In basketball, skill is knowledge of the laws on the court.

Your purpose on the court is also simple:

To know the laws and do them.

That is the whole duty of a player—just as Ecclesiastes tells us the whole duty of man is to fear God and keep His commandments.

Basketball mirrors the gospel. And the gospel points us to the path of mastery.

The Three States

In this metaphysical basketball world, there are only three states on the court:

1. Players

They know the law, but do not perform it in games.

They hear but do not obey.

They are destroyed by the game.

2. Hoopers

They lean on their own understanding.

They straddle the fence 'tween player and student.

They are lukewarm—neither cold nor hot—and are spit out by the game.

3. Students

They study the laws and play by them.

To them more is given.

They inherit mastery because they submit to truth.

As scripture says:

"To those who have, more will be given. To those who do not have, even what they think they have will be taken."

This applies to the court as much as life.

My Calling Revealed

For years I wondered why so few improved. Why so few truly practiced. Why only a handful pursued greatness with consistency. At first, I blamed the player. Then I blamed myself. But that never made sense—why would someone love the game deeply and yet not be effective in teaching it?

There had to be more.

And there was.

The deeper I drew into this game—the closer I came to its Creator—the more the truth unfolded. I saw the purpose of basketball. I understood why Be Like David was given to me. I understand what it means to face Goliath—not as a giant man, but as sin, rebellion, and lawlessness.

On the court, sin is transgressing the laws of the game.  The Goliath in Basketball. 

David defeated Goliath through obedience and faith. So must we.

Faith + Skill = Truth in Action

Skill is a player’s knowledge of the laws.

Faith means living by what you know.

But remember:

Faith without works is dead.

And likewise:

Skill without faith—knowledge without action—is dead.

To know the laws but not play by them is to be a non-believer in the game, a player. And every possession will tempt you to be a player, to do your own will instead of submitting to the will of the game.

There are many called to the game.

The chosen are those who perform the laws thereof.  That is the meaning of Be Like David!

And Zechariah 12:8 confirms what becomes of those who Be Like David.

This program was built on gospel principles. Therefore, it yields 100 fold.

Lastly,

Basketball is not a sport.

It is a teacher.

It is a gospel.

It is a calling.

And only those who submit to its truths will master it.

Many are called.

Few are chosen.

Be a student.

Be obedient.

Be faithful.

Be like David.

Shalom.