Blogging the Journey #1: Deron Williams

01 October 2008

Tags: blogging the journey, deron williams, usab men


What’s at Stake: This week, Deron writes about the goals, sacrifices, and ultimate challenges of the 2008 National Men’s Team.

The Dream Team was probably the best team ever assembled on one court. Those guys were legends. Growing up, they were who you looked up to and tried to emulate. Just watching that was special, and it made Americans proud to be Americans.

I think it is time to get USA Basketball back to the top where it belongs. You know, I think we have the best team out of anybody by far. It is just a matter of us going out there and competing together and playing together and getting it done.

Guys on the team are super competitive, but we did a good job last year on the team that won the FIBA Championships in Vegas. I thought we did a great job of gelling early, guys were focused, guys were unselfish. And I think that was a big key for us is how unselfish guys were, because we have a lot of scorers on the team. Some people had to sacrifice their scoring for the greater good, and I think guys did a good job of that.

Everybody helped. Everybody played defense, which was one of our stronger points. That is what we are going to need if we want to win over there, to compete against teams that have been playing together for ten or twelve years.

For me, I am definitely honored and I feel privileged to have a chance to compete for a gold medal and represent my country. I feel I can help this team. But at the same time, I have been told that I am the future, part of the future of USA basketball. So I am patient and I am taking my time, just trying to go in there and win. I know I am still young and whether I get to play five minutes or 30 minutes, I am going to be there.

This year, anything less than gold will be disappointing. Everybody involved with USA feels that way. All the players on the team feel that way, and I am sure the fans feel that way. But every day, guys are bringing it. Everybody’s mind is on that gold medal. And I just really, really look forward to it.

Comments (0)
FreeMarker template error!

The only legal comparisons are between two numbers, two strings, or two dates.
Left hand operand is a freemarker.ext.dom.NodeListModel
Right hand operand is a freemarker.template.SimpleScalar
The problematic instruction:
----------
==> switch format [on line 116, column 73 in nikebasketball:/template/includes/macros/commenting.ftl]
in user-directive displayComments [on line 20, column 9 in nikebasketball:/template/includes/macros/commenting.ftl]
in user-directive commentingSetUp [on line 155, column 33 in nikebasketball:/template/blogs/view-blog-post.ftl]
----------
Java backtrace for programmers:
----------
freemarker.template.TemplateException: The only legal comparisons are between two numbers, two strings, or two dates.
Left hand operand is a freemarker.ext.dom.NodeListModel
Right hand operand is a freemarker.template.SimpleScalar
at freemarker.core.ComparisonExpression.isTrue(ComparisonExpression.java:182)
at freemarker.core.SwitchBlock.accept(SwitchBlock.java:101)
at freemarker.core.Environment.visit(Environment.java:196)
at freemarker.core.MixedContent.accept(MixedContent.java:92)
at freemarker.core.Environment.visit(Environment.java:196)
at freemarker.core.IfBlock.accept(IfBlock.java:82)
at freemarker.core.Environment.visit(Environment.java:196)
at freemarker.core.MixedContent.accept(MixedContent.java:92)
at freemarker.core.Environment.visit(Environment.java:196)
at freemarker.core.ConditionalBlock.accept(ConditionalBlock.java:79)
at freemarker.core.Environment.visit(Environment.java:196)
at freemarker.core.MixedContent.accept(MixedContent.java:92)
at freemarker.core.Environment.visit(Environment.java:196)
at freemarker.core.ConditionalBlock.accept(ConditionalBlock.java:79)
at freemarker.core.Environment.visit(Environment.java:196)
at freemarker.core.Macro$Context.runMacro(Macro.java:164)
at freemarker.core.Environment.visit(Environment.java:537)
at freemarker.core.UnifiedCall.accept(UnifiedCall.java:128)
at freemarker.core.Environment.visit(Environment.java:196)
at freemarker.core.MixedContent.accept(MixedContent.java:92)
at freemarker.core.Environment.visit(Environment.java:196)
at freemarker.core.Macro$Context.runMacro(Macro.java:164)
at freemarker.core.Environment.visit(Environment.java:537)
at freemarker.core.UnifiedCall.accept(UnifiedCall.java:128)
at freemarker.core.Environment.visit(Environment.java:196)
at freemarker.core.ConditionalBlock.accept(ConditionalBlock.java:79)
at freemarker.core.Environment.visit(Environment.java:196)
at freemarker.core.MixedContent.accept(MixedContent.java:92)
at freemarker.core.Environment.visit(Environment.java:196)
at freemarker.core.IfBlock.accept(IfBlock.java:82)
at freemarker.core.Environment.visit(Environment.java:196)
at freemarker.core.MixedContent.accept(MixedContent.java:92)
at freemarker.core.Environment.visit(Environment.java:196)
at freemarker.core.Environment.process(Environment.java:176)
at freemarker.template.Template.process(Template.java:232)
at com.jivesoftware.community.web.webwork.FreemarkerResult.doExecute(FreemarkerResult.java:97)
at com.opensymphony.webwork.dispatcher.WebWorkResultSupport.execute(WebWorkResultSupport.java:143)
at com.opensymphony.xwork.DefaultActionInvocation.executeResult(DefaultActionInvocation.java:313)
at com.opensymphony.xwork.DefaultActionInvocation.invoke(DefaultActionInvocation.java:208)
at com.opensymphony.xwork.interceptor.AroundInterceptor.intercept(AroundInterceptor.java:31)
at com.opensymphony.xwork.DefaultActionInvocation.invoke(DefaultActionInvocation.java:190)
at com.opensymphony.xwork.interceptor.AroundInterceptor.intercept(AroundInterceptor.java:31)
at com.opensymphony.xwork.DefaultActionInvocation.invoke(DefaultActionInvocation.java:190)
at com.jivesoftware.community.web.webwork.JiveSecurityInterceptor.intercept(JiveSecurityInterceptor.java:32)
at com.opensymphony.xwork.DefaultActionInvocation.invoke(DefaultActionInvocation.java:190)
at com.jivesoftware.community.web.webwork.FlashInterceptor.intercept(FlashInterceptor.java:40)
at com.opensymphony.xwork.DefaultActionInvocation.invoke(DefaultActionInvocation.java:190)
at com.opensymphony.xwork.interceptor.DefaultWorkflowInterceptor.doIntercept(DefaultWorkflowInterceptor.java:175)
at com.opensymphony.xwork.interceptor.MethodFilterInterceptor.intercept(MethodFilterInterceptor.java:86)
at com.opensymphony.xwork.DefaultActionInvocation.invoke(DefaultActionInvocation.java:190)
at com.opensymphony.xwork.validator.ValidationInterceptor.doIntercept(ValidationInterceptor.java:115)
at com.opensymphony.xwork.interceptor.MethodFilterInterceptor.intercept(MethodFilterInterceptor.java:86)
at com.opensymphony.xwork.DefaultActionInvocation.invoke(DefaultActionInvocation.java:190)
at com.opensymphony.xwork.interceptor.AroundInterceptor.intercept(AroundInterceptor.java:31)
at com.opensymphony.xwork.DefaultActionInvocation.invoke(DefaultActionInvocation.java:190)
at com.jivesoftware.community.web.webwork.JiveObjectLoaderInterceptor.intercept(JiveObjectLoaderInterceptor.java:55)
at com.opensymphony.xwork.DefaultActionInvocation.invoke(DefaultActionInvocation.java:190)
at com.opensymphony.xwork.interceptor.AroundInterceptor.intercept(AroundInterceptor.java:31)
at com.opensymphony.xwork.DefaultActionInvocation.invoke(DefaultActionInvocation.java:190)
at com.opensymphony.xwork.interceptor.AroundInterceptor.intercept(AroundInterceptor.java:31)
at com.opensymphony.xwork.DefaultActionInvocation.invoke(DefaultActionInvocation.java:190)
at com.opensymphony.webwork.interceptor.FileUploadInterceptor.intercept(FileUploadInterceptor.java:171)
at com.opensymphony.xwork.DefaultActionInvocation.invoke(DefaultActionInvocation.java:190)
at com.opensymphony.xwork.interceptor.AroundInterceptor.intercept(AroundInterceptor.java:31)
at com.opensymphony.xwork.DefaultActionInvocation.invoke(DefaultActionInvocation.java:190)
at com.opensymphony.xwork.interceptor.AroundInterceptor.intercept(AroundInterceptor.java:31)
at com.opensymphony.xwork.DefaultActionInvocation.invoke(DefaultActionInvocation.java:190)
at com.opensymphony.xwork.interceptor.I18nInterceptor.intercept(I18nInterceptor.java:151)
at com.opensymphony.xwork.DefaultActionInvocation.invoke(DefaultActionInvocation.java:190)
at com.jivesoftware.community.action.LocaleInterceptor.intercept(LocaleInterceptor.java:111)
at com.opensymphony.xwork.DefaultActionInvocation.invoke(DefaultActionInvocation.java:190)
at com.opensymphony.xwork.interceptor.AroundInterceptor.intercept(AroundInterceptor.java:31)
at com.opensymphony.xwork.DefaultActionInvocation.invoke(DefaultActionInvocation.java:190)
at com.jivesoftware.community.web.webwork.JiveIOCInterceptor.intercept(JiveIOCInterceptor.java:719)
at com.opensymphony.xwork.DefaultActionInvocation.invoke(DefaultActionInvocation.java:190)
at com.nike.sso.NikeAuthInterceptor.intercept(NikeAuthInterceptor.java:94)
at com.opensymphony.xwork.DefaultActionInvocation.invoke(DefaultActionInvocation.java:190)
at com.jivesoftware.community.web.webwork.JiveLoginInterceptor.intercept(JiveLoginInterceptor.java:42)
at com.opensymphony.xwork.DefaultActionInvocation.invoke(DefaultActionInvocation.java:190)
at com.opensymphony.xwork.interceptor.AroundInterceptor.intercept(AroundInterceptor.java:31)
at com.opensymphony.xwork.DefaultActionInvocation.invoke(DefaultActionInvocation.java:190)
at com.opensymphony.xwork.interceptor.AroundInterceptor.intercept(AroundInterceptor.java:31)
at com.opensymphony.xwork.DefaultActionInvocation.invoke(DefaultActionInvocation.java:190)
at com.opensymphony.xwork.interceptor.ExceptionMappingInterceptor.intercept(ExceptionMappingInterceptor.java:186)
at com.opensymphony.xwork.DefaultActionInvocation.invoke(DefaultActionInvocation.java:190)
at com.jivesoftware.community.web.webwork.ModuleCheckInterceptor.intercept(ModuleCheckInterceptor.java:49)
at com.opensymphony.xwork.DefaultActionInvocation.invoke(DefaultActionInvocation.java:190)
at com.opensymphony.xwork.DefaultActionProxy.execute(DefaultActionProxy.java:116)
at com.opensymphony.webwork.dispatcher.DispatcherUtils.serviceAction(DispatcherUtils.java:225)
at com.opensymphony.webwork.dispatcher.FilterDispatcher.doFilter(FilterDispatcher.java:202)
at com.jivesoftware.community.web.webwork.JiveFilterDispatcher.doFilter(JiveFilterDispatcher.java:53)
at org.apache.catalina.core.ApplicationFilterChain.internalDoFilter(ApplicationFilterChain.java:235)
at org.apache.catalina.core.ApplicationFilterChain.doFilter(ApplicationFilterChain.java:206)
at com.opensymphony.module.sitemesh.filter.PageFilter.parsePage(PageFilter.java:118)
at com.opensymphony.module.sitemesh.filter.PageFilter.doFilter(PageFilter.java:52)
at org.apache.catalina.core.ApplicationFilterChain.internalDoFilter(ApplicationFilterChain.java:235)
at org.apache.catalina.core.ApplicationFilterChain.doFilter(ApplicationFilterChain.java:206)
at com.jivesoftware.community.web.JiveActionContextCleanUp.doFilter(JiveActionContextCleanUp.java:46)
at org.apache.catalina.core.ApplicationFilterChain.internalDoFilter(ApplicationFilterChain.java:235)
at org.apache.catalina.core.ApplicationFilterChain.doFilter(ApplicationFilterChain.java:206)
at com.jivesoftware.community.web.filter.JiveCacheFilter.doFilter(JiveCacheFilter.java:220)
at org.apache.catalina.core.ApplicationFilterChain.internalDoFilter(ApplicationFilterChain.java:235)
at org.apache.catalina.core.ApplicationFilterChain.doFilter(ApplicationFilterChain.java:206)
at com.jivesoftware.community.web.filter.JiveDynamicResponseHeaderFilter.doFilter(JiveDynamicResponseHeaderFilter.java:70)
at org.apache.catalina.core.ApplicationFilterChain.internalDoFilter(ApplicationFilterChain.java:235)
at org.apache.catalina.core.ApplicationFilterChain.doFilter(ApplicationFilterChain.java:206)
at com.jivesoftware.community.web.filter.PresenceFilter.doFilter(PresenceFilter.java:106)
at org.apache.catalina.core.ApplicationFilterChain.internalDoFilter(ApplicationFilterChain.java:235)
at org.apache.catalina.core.ApplicationFilterChain.doFilter(ApplicationFilterChain.java:206)
at com.jivesoftware.community.web.filter.JiveCompressionFilter.doFilter(JiveCompressionFilter.java:99)
at org.apache.catalina.core.ApplicationFilterChain.internalDoFilter(ApplicationFilterChain.java:235)
at org.apache.catalina.core.ApplicationFilterChain.doFilter(ApplicationFilterChain.java:206)
at org.directwebremoting.servlet.DwrWebContextFilter.doFilter(DwrWebContextFilter.java:91)
at org.apache.catalina.core.ApplicationFilterChain.internalDoFilter(ApplicationFilterChain.java:235)
at org.apache.catalina.core.ApplicationFilterChain.doFilter(ApplicationFilterChain.java:206)
at com.jivesoftware.community.web.filter.MaintenanceFilter.doFilter(MaintenanceFilter.java:81)
at org.apache.catalina.core.ApplicationFilterChain.internalDoFilter(ApplicationFilterChain.java:235)
at org.apache.catalina.core.ApplicationFilterChain.doFilter(ApplicationFilterChain.java:206)
at com.jivesoftware.community.upgrade.UpgradeFilter.doFilter(UpgradeFilter.java:43)
at org.apache.catalina.core.ApplicationFilterChain.internalDoFilter(ApplicationFilterChain.java:235)
at org.apache.catalina.core.ApplicationFilterChain.doFilter(ApplicationFilterChain.java:206)
at com.jivesoftware.base.plugin.PluginFilter.doFilter(PluginFilter.java:77)
at org.apache.catalina.core.ApplicationFilterChain.internalDoFilter(ApplicationFilterChain.java:235)
at org.apache.catalina.core.ApplicationFilterChain.doFilter(ApplicationFilterChain.java:206)
at com.jivesoftware.base.database.dao.DAOContextCleanUpFilter.doFilter(DAOContextCleanUpFilter.java:32)
at org.apache.catalina.core.ApplicationFilterChain.internalDoFilter(ApplicationFilterChain.java:235)
at org.apache.catalina.core.ApplicationFilterChain.doFilter(ApplicationFilterChain.java:206)
at org.apache.catalina.core.StandardWrapperValve.invoke(StandardWrapperValve.java:219)
at org.apache.catalina.core.StandardContextValve.invoke(StandardContextValve.java:191)
at org.apache.catalina.core.StandardHostValve.invoke(StandardHostValve.java:128)
at org.apache.catalina.valves.ErrorReportValve.invoke(ErrorReportValve.java:102)
at org.apache.catalina.core.StandardEngineValve.invoke(StandardEngineValve.java:109)
at org.apache.catalina.connector.CoyoteAdapter.service(CoyoteAdapter.java:286)
at org.apache.coyote.http11.Http11Processor.process(Http11Processor.java:845)
at org.apache.coyote.http11.Http11Protocol$Http11ConnectionHandler.process(Http11Protocol.java:583)
at org.apache.tomcat.util.net.JIoEndpoint$Worker.run(JIoEndpoint.java:447)
at java.lang.Thread.run(Thread.java:619)

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What’s at Stake: This week, Deron writes about the goals, sacrifices, and ultimate challenges of the 2008 National Men’s Team.

The Dream Team was probably the best team ever assembled on one court. Those guys were legends. Growing up, they were who you looked up to and tried to emulate. Just watching that was special, and it made Americans proud to be Americans.

I think it is time to get USA Basketball back to the top where it belongs. You know, I think we have the best team out of anybody by far. It is just a matter of us going out there and competing together and playing together and getting it done.

Guys on the team are super competitive, but we did a good job last year on the team that won the FIBA Championships in Vegas. I thought we did a great job of gelling early, guys were focused, guys were unselfish. And I think that was a big key for us is how unselfish guys were, because we have a lot of scorers on the team. Some people had to sacrifice their scoring for the greater good, and I think guys did a good job of that.

Everybody helped. Everybody played defense, which was one of our stronger points. That is what we are going to need if we want to win over there, to compete against teams that have been playing together for ten or twelve years.

For me, I am definitely honored and I feel privileged to have a chance to compete for a gold medal and represent my country. I feel I can help this team. But at the same time, I have been told that I am the future, part of the future of USA basketball. So I am patient and I am taking my time, just trying to go in there and win. I know I am still young and whether I get to play five minutes or 30 minutes, I am going to be there.

This year, anything less than gold will be disappointing. Everybody involved with USA feels that way. All the players on the team feel that way, and I am sure the fans feel that way. But every day, guys are bringing it. Everybody’s mind is on that gold medal. And I just really, really look forward to it.

Tags: blogging_the_journey, deron_williams, usab_men


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FreeMarker template error!

Error on line 96, column 45 in nikebasketball:/template/blogs/blog-tracking.ftl
Expecting a string, date or number here, Expression blog.message_email_adm_txt_path is instead a freemarker.ext.dom.NodeListModel
The problematic instruction:
----------
==> ${blog.message_email_adm_txt_path} [on line 96, column 43 in nikebasketball:/template/blogs/blog-tracking.ftl]
in include "../../blogs/blog-tracking.ftl" [on line 77, column 9 in nikebasketball:/template/decorator/default/template.ftl]
----------
Java backtrace for programmers:
----------
freemarker.core.NonStringException: Error on line 96, column 45 in nikebasketball:/template/blogs/blog-tracking.ftl
Expecting a string, date or number here, Expression blog.message_email_adm_txt_path is instead a freemarker.ext.dom.NodeListModel
at freemarker.core.Expression.getStringValue(Expression.java:126)
at freemarker.core.Expression.getStringValue(Expression.java:93)
at freemarker.core.DollarVariable.accept(DollarVariable.java:76)
at freemarker.core.Environment.visit(Environment.java:196)
at freemarker.core.MixedContent.accept(MixedContent.java:92)
at freemarker.core.Environment.visit(Environment.java:196)
at freemarker.core.Environment.include(Environment.java:1378)
at freemarker.core.Include.accept(Include.java:155)
at freemarker.core.Environment.visit(Environment.java:196)
at freemarker.core.MixedContent.accept(MixedContent.java:92)
at freemarker.core.Environment.visit(Environment.java:196)
at freemarker.core.Environment.visit(Environment.java:233)
at freemarker.core.CompressedBlock.accept(CompressedBlock.java:73)
at freemarker.core.Environment.visit(Environment.java:196)
at freemarker.core.Environment.process(Environment.java:176)
at freemarker.template.Template.process(Template.java:232)
at com.jivesoftware.community.theme.ThemeFilter.applyDecorator(ThemeFilter.java:95)
at com.opensymphony.module.sitemesh.filter.PageFilter.doFilter(PageFilter.java:59)
at org.apache.catalina.core.ApplicationFilterChain.internalDoFilter(ApplicationFilterChain.java:235)
at org.apache.catalina.core.ApplicationFilterChain.doFilter(ApplicationFilterChain.java:206)
at com.jivesoftware.community.web.JiveActionContextCleanUp.doFilter(JiveActionContextCleanUp.java:46)
at org.apache.catalina.core.ApplicationFilterChain.internalDoFilter(ApplicationFilterChain.java:235)
at org.apache.catalina.core.ApplicationFilterChain.doFilter(ApplicationFilterChain.java:206)
at com.jivesoftware.community.web.filter.JiveCacheFilter.doFilter(JiveCacheFilter.java:220)
at org.apache.catalina.core.ApplicationFilterChain.internalDoFilter(ApplicationFilterChain.java:235)
at org.apache.catalina.core.ApplicationFilterChain.doFilter(ApplicationFilterChain.java:206)
at com.jivesoftware.community.web.filter.JiveDynamicResponseHeaderFilter.doFilter(JiveDynamicResponseHeaderFilter.java:70)
at org.apache.catalina.core.ApplicationFilterChain.internalDoFilter(ApplicationFilterChain.java:235)
at org.apache.catalina.core.ApplicationFilterChain.doFilter(ApplicationFilterChain.java:206)
at com.jivesoftware.community.web.filter.PresenceFilter.doFilter(PresenceFilter.java:106)
at org.apache.catalina.core.ApplicationFilterChain.internalDoFilter(ApplicationFilterChain.java:235)
at org.apache.catalina.core.ApplicationFilterChain.doFilter(ApplicationFilterChain.java:206)
at com.jivesoftware.community.web.filter.JiveCompressionFilter.doFilter(JiveCompressionFilter.java:99)
at org.apache.catalina.core.ApplicationFilterChain.internalDoFilter(ApplicationFilterChain.java:235)
at org.apache.catalina.core.ApplicationFilterChain.doFilter(ApplicationFilterChain.java:206)
at org.directwebremoting.servlet.DwrWebContextFilter.doFilter(DwrWebContextFilter.java:91)
at org.apache.catalina.core.ApplicationFilterChain.internalDoFilter(ApplicationFilterChain.java:235)
at org.apache.catalina.core.ApplicationFilterChain.doFilter(ApplicationFilterChain.java:206)
at com.jivesoftware.community.web.filter.MaintenanceFilter.doFilter(MaintenanceFilter.java:81)
at org.apache.catalina.core.ApplicationFilterChain.internalDoFilter(ApplicationFilterChain.java:235)
at org.apache.catalina.core.ApplicationFilterChain.doFilter(ApplicationFilterChain.java:206)
at com.jivesoftware.community.upgrade.UpgradeFilter.doFilter(UpgradeFilter.java:43)
at org.apache.catalina.core.ApplicationFilterChain.internalDoFilter(ApplicationFilterChain.java:235)
at org.apache.catalina.core.ApplicationFilterChain.doFilter(ApplicationFilterChain.java:206)
at com.jivesoftware.base.plugin.PluginFilter.doFilter(PluginFilter.java:77)
at org.apache.catalina.core.ApplicationFilterChain.internalDoFilter(ApplicationFilterChain.java:235)
at org.apache.catalina.core.ApplicationFilterChain.doFilter(ApplicationFilterChain.java:206)
at com.jivesoftware.base.database.dao.DAOContextCleanUpFilter.doFilter(DAOContextCleanUpFilter.java:32)
at org.apache.catalina.core.ApplicationFilterChain.internalDoFilter(ApplicationFilterChain.java:235)
at org.apache.catalina.core.ApplicationFilterChain.doFilter(ApplicationFilterChain.java:206)
at org.apache.catalina.core.StandardWrapperValve.invoke(StandardWrapperValve.java:219)
at org.apache.catalina.core.StandardContextValve.invoke(StandardContextValve.java:191)
at org.apache.catalina.core.StandardHostValve.invoke(StandardHostValve.java:128)
at org.apache.catalina.valves.ErrorReportValve.invoke(ErrorReportValve.java:102)
at org.apache.catalina.core.StandardEngineValve.invoke(StandardEngineValve.java:109)
at org.apache.catalina.connector.CoyoteAdapter.service(CoyoteAdapter.java:286)
at org.apache.coyote.http11.Http11Processor.process(Http11Processor.java:845)
at org.apache.coyote.http11.Http11Protocol$Http11ConnectionHandler.process(Http11Protocol.java:583)
at org.apache.tomcat.util.net.JIoEndpoint$Worker.run(JIoEndpoint.java:447)
at java.lang.Thread.run(Thread.java:619)