Tough times
We’re on a three-game losing streak right now, but we’re still optimistic that we can turn it around. We’ve had a couple of injuries, but I’m sure we’ll improve.
My first four games, it was really a challenge for me to get acquainted to my teammates. Same thing with the coaching staff.
There’s still a lot of adjusting to be made. Now I feel very comfortable running the point guard position. I knew that it’s something I had to do apart from improving my jump shot.
Against Strasbourg, our next game, we have to be very vocal, more demanding on everybody. Putting extra work on defense, getting tougher on defense.
It’s been a month since I’ve been here at Besançon, but I honestly don’t know the city. It seems that it’s a nice place to live and the people I know here are great people, but I focus on my work. I have to get the job done, that’s why I came here. So it’s 24/7 basketball: in the morning me and Justin Hawkins shoot before pratice, then practice; then we shoot after practice. Before the second practice we lift weights, we practice and then after practice we shoot once again. When we finish, we eat some food and then I go to my house.
I know that my chance to get back to the NBA, especially now that I’m learning the point guard position, is to not sort of be a shooting guard who can also play the one but a point guard who can also play the two and the three positions.
It’s very important for me to knock down open 20-footer jump shots so everyday I try to work on my game.
Talking about the NBA, there were no blockbuster deals at the trade deadline but there was a big one for a NYC guy like me: Stephon Marbury wearing the green Celtics jersey. I’m happy for Steph. It’s good that now he’s got a chance to win the championship. He’s an icon for New York on a contender team. I’m a fan of Marbury since I was a teenager so I’m definitely happy for him. I’ve never been a Celtics fan, but If I had to be a Celtics fan, that would be now because of Marbury.
Finally, my take on the economy. Obviously it’s gonna affect players who are playing overseas and I have to take advantage of every situation. I have to make sure that I get better everyday. To win the mental war with my jump shot so when I get back to the States everybody will see that I improved a lot.
That’s all for now.
Bye!
Justin Said,
March 2, 2009 @ 9:28 pm
Any NBA team that doesn’t give you a look is foolish. You will lead vocally and by example, working harder than anyone else in the gym. Plus with your length and court awareness, you will give opposing point guards fits.
Can’t wait to see you get back to the League, Jules!
-Justin, NC State Class of ‘07
FORREST CRUNK Said,
March 3, 2009 @ 11:16 am
So….
How many more losses will it take for you to skip out on this team, Jules? Or, are you going to stick it out if things get tougher?
Your latest entry sounds like you are preparing your next excuse for when you inevitably let your teammates down again.
olivier Said,
March 3, 2009 @ 11:28 am
Well, i think these are hard words FORREST CRUNK, I don’t know a lot about Jules past, but as a french player, I see him playing in our championship and to be honest, this guy is good. Plus, looks like he consideres a lot his job, his teammates, coachaing staff etc.
Then he is honest, Besançon is not his dream, his previous team (the one you wish he never left) wasn’t either! His dream is being back to US and it seems like he is working hard for…
Thats all i’m looking at.
Go on Jules, and thanks for what u’ll give to France
Islam Shahid Said,
March 3, 2009 @ 4:15 pm
Julius, you a nothing as a player yet
J-Brom Said,
March 3, 2009 @ 4:22 pm
Jules,
lets just hope this team keeps failing with you on it, so you can walk out on another team and blame someone else…
At least you have stopped raving about that thing you call a jump shot, was making alot of people sick or at least giving them a good laugh daily…
Maybe take up soccer its huge in Europe and you don’t have to use your hands for anything which would be a huge bonus for u….
DaTruth Said,
March 3, 2009 @ 7:52 pm
Do some homework Olivier.
You will find Julius (and his manager) to only be about the money.
He has no love for the game, your team, or your country.
The moment things get too difficult, or he gets an even slightly better offer, he will be gone……and that dude is DaTruth!
TigersFan Said,
March 3, 2009 @ 8:13 pm
To all you h8trs….
I will get the last laugh when Jules is playing in a Melbourne Tigers jersey in the new basketball league down here in Australia next season alongside Ebi Ere as our 2 imports! Killer combo!
Nate Dogg Said,
March 3, 2009 @ 10:36 pm
Dang man, who are you people? I appreciate that Julius would take the time to write this blog for us. He’s obviously a very talented player who is on the cusp of being back in the NBA. Do any of you writing this stuff have any idea what it takes to play at that level? I’m seriously trying to understand…are you all fans of his previous team??
Anyway, thanks for the post Julius. I respect the hard work you’re putting into it and hope you get your chance to be back in the League.
Mack Said,
March 3, 2009 @ 11:59 pm
Haters everywhere we go!!! Those of you hating on this man would not be able to stand him on the court, so just shut the hell up. Julius Hodge might not be a superstar, but he’s better than you are, ever were, and ever will be. Just because he is getting paid to play basketball and you are not, don’t hate on him because you wish you could be doing the same thing. You couldn’t walk a mile in his Nikes. This man is doing something positive with his life, straight from the streets of NYC and now he is getting paid to do what he loves.
Posting negative comments and hiding behind them on the internet is garbage and you should feel less of a man for doing so. If you’re reading his blog, obviously he matters to you. You don’t matter to him, after all, he’s not reading your blog. That being said, Da Jules of Harlem! I read about you when you were still in high school in SLAM magazine, and I been following your career ever since. Keep working on your game man, hope you make it back to The League. 6-7 point guards that can play and defend 3 positions don’t come along too often. HATERS = MOTIVATION!
flash23 Said,
March 4, 2009 @ 12:10 am
don’t take notice of Australians (Australia is made up of mainly prisoners, murderers and ex convicts etc).
Keep grinding away and prove ur haters wrong…..play for the breakers if u come back the Australian league…….lol
Jelani Gardner Said,
March 4, 2009 @ 1:08 am
Julius,
What up man? I saw ur recent struggles wth ur bread in Australia, same thing happened to me in Greece. Being that I have a family like u, I think it’s totally disrespectful to the players family to be late with the $. I feel u man, looks like u work on ur game. You dominated that Austrailian league, I know cause I played in that league for townsville a year or @ before. Keep grinding! My opinion…..be a 2/3 that can play the 1, but that creates and shows complete game. Similar to walton….but more game, and lock down on D…thats ur ticket!!!! I know it’s tough, not playing in the league, bt u’ll really appreciate it, when He gives it back
A-Ray Said,
March 4, 2009 @ 2:01 am
Yo Hodge don’t listen to some of these fools….they on here talking trash on the internet and probably can’t hit a consistent 15 foot jumper….keep up the hard work, you’re definitely better than some of the cats getting playing time in the NBA today
Foolius Said,
March 4, 2009 @ 6:57 am
“I know that my chance to get back to the NBA, especially now that I’m learning the point guard position, is to not sort of be a shooting guard who can also play the one but a point guard who can also play the two and the three positions.”
I think its time for a reality check Julius….
You are not going back to the NBA.
You are a euroleague level player and thats about it.
Im not saying you can’t ball; Im just saying youre not skilled enough to play in the NBA.
Turning yourself into a point guard…..well….sorry…but thats just not going to work.
Youre not a good enough ball handler, or creative enough, to play the point in the NBA.
Must be atleast 100 genuine point guards ahead of you that an NBA team would sign.
So your best bet is play your natural position of SG in Europe, and become a local star in the french or italian leagues for the remainder of your career.
Marco Said,
March 4, 2009 @ 8:52 am
Jules-These haters are jealous of you. So you are not in the NBA right now. Big deal. You are still playing pro and getting paid to do it. How lucky are you to do something you enjoy and actually get paid for it (especially in this economy)? Skip out or stay you are living the dream that most of the haters will never have and will have to settle for playing on a local court chucking up balls and then getting ready to go to their regular jobs not involved in hoops. People actually posting with comments like “hope your team fails”. I guess when ones life is empty and unaccomplished one has to hope others fail in order to feel like they are not alone. Even if you never play in the NBA again you will have accomplished more than these bitter and sad sacks will ever achieve. Good Luck!
Jason Said,
March 4, 2009 @ 3:54 pm
Julius, I am from Ohio but watched a lot of you during your college days. Even though I am not the biggest college bball fan, I always seemed to watch your games when you were on tv. You were a grear college player and I wish you the best. I am confident your game will carry over into the NBA.
SheepShaggerzSuk Said,
March 4, 2009 @ 10:40 pm
“Australia is made up of mainly prisoners, murderers and ex convicts etc)”
Clearly no gerneralisation in the above comment, but if you want to play it that way cuz…
Hey Flash, you suggest Jules come play for the breakers…. my question to you is….why would hes want to go play in a country full of sheep shagging inbreed new zealanders?
Michael Said,
March 5, 2009 @ 5:37 am
Jules will be back in the NBA next season. Someone will pick him up. But the reason Julius will never play consistently in the Big League is because he doesn’t focus on defense and doesn’t seem to care about winning as long as his individual stats look nice. He doesn’t have a firm grasp of the finer points of the game: how to move without the ball, how to be an effective distributer without getting assists, and how to get his points without holding the ball too long. Fundamentals.
He’s an athlete first and a baller second. An anti-Larry Bird, if you will.
Good luck though man, keep working, but you’re gonna have to do more than shooting 20 footers. And don’t waste your time trying to be a point guard, Jules, you’re a 2 or a 3. It goes against all of your natural God-given gifts, your athleticism, rebounding ability and your length.
If anything, I’d be working on your post game to show that you can post up smaller defenders. The thing that separates the great twos and threes in the NBA (kobe, carmelo, truth) from the average ones playing in Europe or at a lower level in the NBA, is that they have a post game as fundamentally sound as a big man to complement their slashing game. It’s all about footwork, baby, and playing below the rim half of the time to save your legs.
But defense is what’s gonna get you a contract. You gotta play lockdown D ’cause you ain’t gonna be exactly slotting into an NBA team as a scoring machine. Use your length to your advantage.
Good luck man, work hard.
I criticize only ’cause I’m a fan.
Brett Maher Said,
March 5, 2009 @ 10:24 am
Lets Play A Game.
What Rhymes With Judas ?
FU36ersFanH8TrZ Said,
March 5, 2009 @ 9:40 pm
u 36ers fans are so bitter and twisted…its kinda funny
hey jules, u know we have much luv 4 u you down here in melbourne.
come play for the tigers next season.
you in the back court….ebi ere in the front court….and chris anstey at the centre…..damn….instant championship
Islam Shahid Said,
March 6, 2009 @ 6:13 am
Julius, why do wright this blog?
It’s not your business, are basket small market player, that’s all.
Do not pretend that you are Gilbert:))
Reggie Said,
March 7, 2009 @ 7:08 am
Way to quit on the 36ers.
U r such a professional.
Ur jumpshot is a joke.
Point Guard that cant shoot??
hater of flash 23 Said,
March 9, 2009 @ 2:10 am
flash 23,
you are a pig, you know nothing about our country. you should shut your mouth. hodge is nothing yet. why dont they let good players write blogs.
Big J Said,
March 9, 2009 @ 4:24 pm
Good luck Julius I hope that all your hard work pays off for you. I really appriciate your blugs I believe your future is bright and let the haters motivates you and make you better.
Jules2Tigers Said,
March 9, 2009 @ 5:45 pm
I agree with the guy a couple of posts above.
We would welcome you with open arms at the Tigers mate…..plus, unlike the 36ers, we would pay you in advance and on time!