Not drinking the poison
Hello everybody!
I just played against the Melbourne Tigers. We played really well, we battled hard, my mid-range jumper was working and we got a tough win.
Most importantly, my mindset while I’m playing here in Australia is that I look at the games to get a little more than the 25 points, double-digit rebounds and ten assists every game. My whole focus is not to drink the poison. I’m not going be the guy that drinks the poison. When I say that, I mean I’m not resting on my laurels, believing I’m really that good and I don’t have to continue to work hard and improve every day.
I’m out here working extremely hard before and after the game, before and after practice. I stay after every game and I make sure I do my five-spot shooting for about 40 minutes and then I lift weights for another 40 minutes.
Despite suffering a pair of narrow losses, I’ve averaged 26.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.0 steals and I was named NBL’s Player of the Week. Right now we are on two-win streak and hope to continue to roll… And not drink the poison!
Let’s talk a little bit about the NBA now.
I’ve been impressed with the Celtics again this season. KG is still doing it, man. With the exception of Magic Johnson, I can honestly say I’ve never seen anyone in my life as emotionally involved in the game while on the court or on the sideline as Kevin Garnett. Every night, every practice. KG is obviously a Hall of Famer and probably one of the top ten talents ever to play in the NBA. It would be great to watch a Lakers vs. Celtics rematch, because the Lakers are playing great too.
And how about my Nets? Devin Harris… Oh my goodness! The numbers he’s putting up are crazy. I saw it coming during the preseason. The way he creates the shot off the dribbe, how quick he’s changing direction… Very few players do it the way he does it. He should be an All-Star this year.
On a different note, it’s going to be cool to have a baller in the White House. I’ve seen Barack Obama play and he’s got a nice J! Obama can shoot it. I don’t know about his handling, but he’s got a nice stroke. It would be great if I could meet him one day. I’ve been a fan of him for the last two and a half years.
By the way, my daughter’s first word was Obama. Can you believe that? I think it’s great for the U.S. to have somebody who can change things and help our economy because right now we’re in recession and people are losing jobs.
That’s all for now, guys.
Bye!
J Lyles Said,
December 6, 2008 @ 1:33 pm
Thanks for taking the time to update us, Julius! Hope you’re having a fun time in Australia!
D Artest Said,
December 6, 2008 @ 2:34 pm
Jules.. keep grinding thun… you will be in the NBA in no time…. NY stand up!!!
Raymond Said,
December 6, 2008 @ 3:07 pm
Good job on winning player of the week. Your putting up some devin-like numbers as well! Wish you were on the nets man. Keep up the good work!
Spiral Galaxy Said,
December 6, 2008 @ 6:12 pm
You are doing a magnificent job representing new york city. let the world know where real ballers come from! and congratulations on your daughter….
Lucas Said,
December 6, 2008 @ 7:17 pm
Hi! I`m a big fan of you here from argentina.. in my list is Manu and below Julius! jaja please accept my request of facebook
good luck!
Joe Said,
December 6, 2008 @ 10:48 pm
Glad to see your working your butt off. It depressed me watching you on the bench for the nuggets. I’m sure you will find a team in the NBA. Keep kickin’ ass!
JWest Said,
December 6, 2008 @ 11:29 pm
Keep rocking in Australia and I hope to see you in an NBA uniform fulltime next season….maybe with the Celtics b/c we’ll need a backup PG when Cassell starts coaching and Pruitt is still raw…
Adam Said,
December 6, 2008 @ 11:45 pm
The breaker’s are gonna destroy you in the playoff’s Julius!! Ha ha nah just jokes but we will hopefully be in the champuionship game this year. Good luck mate and all the best with the rest of the season. Take it easy
shan Said,
December 7, 2008 @ 12:36 am
yo julius, go to kings cross if you havent already? LOL…they love us in austrailia
bubs Said,
December 7, 2008 @ 2:08 am
what’s up julius how u doing hope everything is well. next time i speak to cisco i will let him know u doing well. next time u speak to ur bother tell him i said what’s up. Keep working hard and enjoy ur up and coming hoildays
Aj Said,
December 7, 2008 @ 5:08 am
Great blogs by the way. Keep kicking butt in AUS, I remember seeing great flashes of defensive potential when you played in Denver. Offense will come and go, but if you keep at it on D, u’ll find a roster spot for sure on some NBA team. We support you bro, keep us updated.
Jewelz Said,
December 7, 2008 @ 8:04 am
Julius it’s great to see somebody like you not giving up on his dream, you are true inspiration for all the players trying achieve their goals! Keep doing your thing, I’m sure you’ll play in the NBA someday
Paul C. Said,
December 7, 2008 @ 8:08 am
Keep up the great work Julius. You’ve been playing great. I agree on your view of Devin Harris. I saw him play when he was with the Mavericks on November 28th, 2005. They played the Raptors at the Air Canada Center. It was my first ever NBA game. I remember being more in awe of Devin Harris than I was of Dirk Nowitzki. And this was 3 years ago! He’s much better now. You’re the man Julius!
TexasPete Said,
December 7, 2008 @ 4:09 pm
Been a fan ince the N.C. State days. glad your playing great, hope you get a shot at the NBA again. good luck from England.
JC Said,
December 7, 2008 @ 6:07 pm
Great stuff Julius, Loved it on Sat Night, the atmosphere was amazing and when you were pumping us up! What a game and What a result
Go the Sixers!
asaspace Said,
December 7, 2008 @ 7:02 pm
Hey Julius, here’s a few pics from your first game back in Australia - against Sydney (including the Dunk & Dann exchange)
http://www.asaspace.com/nbl/nbl-photos/168-bigpix-ballinhodger.html
JULIUS HODGE Said,
December 8, 2008 @ 1:49 am
Hey guys thanks for the positive feedback. I wanted to let you know I have a weekly video blog on youtube named “Drinking the poison pt1″ to show the necessary steps it will take to accomplish my goal; which is to be back in the NBA! A man on a mission to be continued…Thanks again everyone and may God bless.
Twins Said,
December 8, 2008 @ 5:59 am
ummm ummmmm.. julius have you been working out?? lol! nice blog and continue to keep at it you always been a hard worker.. me and my sister are huge fans of yours since your st. ray’s days..i went to Saint Catherine’s! “julius hodge drinking the poisonpt1″ pause lol.. ok we’re done keep it up bye now;)
Jay K Melbourne Said,
December 8, 2008 @ 8:10 am
Sup Julius, Been a big fan since ur NC State days.. keep up the good work here at home in aus. Hope u get back in the NBA.
sbanschi Said,
December 8, 2008 @ 12:32 pm
julius.i love what u are doing
stay focused
u will be back in this league and will be for good!!!!keep ur head up
George Said,
December 8, 2008 @ 5:58 pm
Keep doing your thing Julius! NBA or no NBA you are in a unique and privilged postion to play the game you love for a living. This is from one ex college baller, not super thrilled about his day job. You have great talent and I’m certain u work very hard. Do your thing man!
Andrew O'Grady Said,
December 9, 2008 @ 1:22 am
They say in basketball the difference between good teams and great teams is that great teams are the ones that can win when the pressure is on, and the game is on the line… with the clock ticking down at the end of the game…. the great teams hold their lead or find a way to come from behind to win, and they do it consistently, and those wins see them through to championship glory. Mr Hodge, having watched you in Adelaide, I believe you posses these gifts as a professional basketballer. Use them to take the 36ers to championship glory, but also keep in mind that this part of your game will not show as a statistic for NBA scouts to marvel at, but is still vitally important to your future success!!! Kind Regards. Andrew
Double Helix Said,
December 9, 2008 @ 6:48 am
Hey Julius,
Canada loves you man. Toronto Raptors fans were hoping for a guard with their second pick in your draft and our terrible GM at the time drafted Joey Graham ahead of both you and Danny Granger. Granger slid because they said he had knee injuries and Graham is only just now starting to show that he’s more than just muscles. Too many guys in the draft are drafted on physical attributes and not on skill. You had one of the most unique skill sets in that entire draft! Toronto loves a good story. We made Jamario Moon a starter after 7 years in the D-league and drafted former NBLer Nathan Jawai. I hope something can be worked out to make you a Raptor, Julius. We’re over the cap because of Bosh and O’neal but that’s exactly why I think it would be a nice match. Our guards are aging long-range shooters. We need more ball handlers. Get your rep to call Colangelo! Let’s get you in Toronto!
Double Helix Said,
December 9, 2008 @ 7:45 am
I read that you’re signed to a 2-year non-guaranteed contract with the Nets. Does that mean you can’t sign with any other NBA team than the NETS until the 2009-2010 season?
Dan'l Said,
December 9, 2008 @ 1:39 pm
KG top ten ever? lol
he’s a big game wilter..a paper tiger.
He’s great on the floor and for the game…but top ten all time is a joke.
James Posey made a bigger impact when it mattered during the finals.
Loved the Hodge-blog though…and I will read it when I see it from here on out.
Don’t see whay he isn’t in the rumor mix for a slot on the NY roster if/when one comes available.
INDIANA_ELITE Said,
December 9, 2008 @ 3:55 pm
hodge, your dream is over. Youre not cut for the NBA. Stick it out in Australia and maybe, just maybe , Lebron will have you as his bag boy by the time he gets to New York. Work on your mistakes and the skys the limit.
Michelle Said,
December 10, 2008 @ 9:02 pm
You don’t stop when one door closes, you keep it moving on to the next. With a GREAT attitude! Thank you for staying so positive! You are truly an inspiration!
Mark Said,
December 11, 2008 @ 3:50 am
Hope you’re doing fine with all those racists there!
Kipper75 Said,
December 11, 2008 @ 4:46 pm
hey if Obama keeps printing more and more money your dollar just becomes a worthless iou note. Stick to basketball, in 4 more years the States will be shaking their head at the unbelievable mistake they just made, VOTE RON PAUL!
J Lyles Said,
December 12, 2008 @ 6:17 pm
Great vlog, Julius, keep us posted man!
jaimonee Said,
December 12, 2008 @ 8:27 pm
The Raptors could sure use you right now.
JULIUS HODGE Said,
December 13, 2008 @ 2:37 am
usually i dont respond to some comments but these two got me extra-intrigued… dear mr KIPPER75
i suppose Sarah Palin would have been a better decision because of her intimate knowledge on foreign policy?? or better yet nevermind legislature woes, the horrible state of our economy and the winless/reason-wacked war in Iraq..four more years of Bush would of been GREAT I loved paying eight dollars a gallon for gas! yea and kangaroos can walk backwards i suppose..smh.. when obama change the current state of our “dollar” and make college more affordable which directly keeps us along the lines with uhh say CHINA in technological advances and we can exit this “winless” war R.I.P. to all the fallen soldiers.. in “8yrs” you’ll be on the OBAMA bandwagon too buddy..
-and if he has to tax me and others who make 250grand or more so be it its for the greater good, in order for America to prosper and everyone’s well-being so its okay with me..-
p.s some of us do sit in the front of the classroom and graduate..
p.p.s DAN’L paper champion Garnett??
paper champions are the selfish not the selfless..the unengaged not the hard-working..the guys who disregard practice and as I call them the AI-holes not the Garnett’s and the Duncan’s…hey he’s a ten-plus year all-star,gold-medalist, nba championship ringer,millions upon millions..AND LOOK WHAT HE’S DOING..Helping a young player along his journey!! still CARES after all the money made!!!Im the only one who loves his PASSION for the GAME??(As fans dont you guys hate when a guy gets his money and loses his passion??) still ENGAGED in winning.. what a paper champion huh??
thank-you for the responses I do appreciate your concern and I will continue to update you as I chase my dream. Thanks
J Lyles Said,
December 13, 2008 @ 4:34 pm
And that’s why you’re my favorite player.
Kipper75 Said,
December 14, 2008 @ 1:04 pm
I’m so thankful I’m not an American. First off DR J I didn’t say Mcain would’ve been a better choice, as if there really is a choice when it comes to who or what group is actually pulling the strings in the USA. It’s the same as electing a class president, looks like democracy, feels like democracy but in the end just a popularity contest.
I just read a really good book by Peter Schiff, it’s called Bull moves in Bear markets, it goes over the problems of the US economy. It really makes sense when he describes it as a false economy. Its because nothing is really produced, and you’ve become a nation of consumers and debtors. Have a look at it, in it he describes Obama’s policies would be good in the short term but horrible in the long run. I’m more inclined to believe him, he predicted the housing bubble and stock market crash before they happen. Although, he’s not a baller so what does he know?
You’re right about AI I’ll admit that The guys a waste of a talent, the only reason why his career ppg average is over 27 is because he takes close to 40 shots per game.
nba balla Said,
December 16, 2008 @ 11:19 pm
you should go to the d-league. is it an option?? you would get called up so fast man.
nba balla Said,
December 16, 2008 @ 11:23 pm
in double helix’s comment he said, Jermario moon was a starter after 7 YEARS IN THE D-LEAGUE. YOU COULD DO THE SAME THING MAN!!!!!!
J Lyles Said,
December 17, 2008 @ 5:23 pm
The D-League would be an option, but he tore it up this past year and didn’t get called up; going overseas and playing against professionals was the best option besides the NBA. Plus, they don’t get paid much in the D-League, so I’m sure that was a factor for Julius.
No matter what he does, there’s no denying that the man can ball, so no doubt we will see him on an NBA roster within a season or two.
nba balla Said,
December 17, 2008 @ 8:19 pm
he was playing so good. i went to all his games. he is the best player in the dleague if he were to come back. he is such a good guy. there are scouts at every game now. he would get a call up for sure. how many looks is he getting over seas by scouts in the stands…..zero. he needs looks to get back to the league……good luck juls