WHY ARE MANY NBA
PLAYERS AFRICAN
AMERICAN AND FROM
THE INNER CITY?
A REASON TO MEDITATE
A Theory by Dr. Kim Byrd-Rider
TOP 6 NBA PLAYERS
OF ALL TIME
1
4
2
5
3
6
NBA All Time Statistics. (n.d.). Retrieved June 15, 2012, from NNBA website, http://www.nba.com/statistics/default_all_time_leaders/AllTimeLeadersPTSQuery.html?topic=4
3 CAUCASIANS IN THE TOP 20
GREATEST PLAYERS OF ALL TIME
12
15
19
NBA All Time Statistics. (n.d.). Retrieved June 15, 2012, from NNBA website, http://www.nba.com/statistics/default_all_time_leaders/AllTimeLeadersPTSQuery.html?topic=4
PHYSICAL DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN RACES?
Controversial
• Same basic physiology: According to
DNA the average African American
is 17-18% White
• Each muscle:
fast twitch (explosive) fibers and
slow twitch (endurance)fibers
• Geographical regions may have
more of one type than the other
• Critical organ: the brain
African American Population. (US Census 2011) Retrieved June 15, 2012, from Blueprint of Black America website, http://www.blackdemographics.com/
Entine, J. (2000). Taboo: Why Black Athletes Dominate Sports and Why We Are Afraid to Talk About It. NY: BBS Public Affairs.
WHAT IS THE X-FACTOR FOR
INNER CITY BLACK MEN
• Kids from all backgrounds
work hard to go to the
NBA
• Over coached kids should
be better, but there are not
many in the top 20
• INTUITION is the x factor
INTUITION
• Webster’s Dictionary:
the ability to have
insight into a matter
without conscious
thought
• Dictionary.com:
pure, untaught
knowledge
INTUITION VS TECHNIQUE
Intuitive
movememt
does not
require
conscious
thought:
faster, f luid
Labron James
Intuitive
Movement
Technical
skills
require
conscious
thought:
slower,
robotic
Jason Richardson
THE BRAIN THAT CHANGES ITSELF:
BY NORMAN DOIDGE, MD (2007)
• Maps are not
• Brain plasticity exists
universal, individual’s
from cradle to grave
vary in their map
• Brain creates operating
boarders and size
maps
• Brain can reorganize • Map size depends on
what we do over the
its maps throughout a
course of our lives
lifetime
Doidge, N. (2007). The Brain that changes Itself. London: Penguin Books.
INTUITION BRIAN MAPS
Strong Brain Map:
Reliable
Weak Brain Map:
Unreliable
MANY AFRICAN AMERICAN ARE
INNER CITY KIDS
• Green denser
populated areas
are urban
• Rural South and
Urban areas
difficult for
minorities
• Additional
minority of
being very tall
African American Population. (US Census 2011) Retrieved June 15, 2012, from Blueprint of Black America website, http://www.blackdemographics.com/
BURBERRY
• 4th fastest growing
global brand
• International Retailer
of the Year 2011
Burberry (n.d.).
Retrieved June 17,
2012.
http://www.burberr
yplc.com/about_bur
berry
• Mission statement:
rely on the intuition
of the staff for
making decisions
SOLUTION
MEDITATION
MEDITATION
• Detach from
distracting thoughts
and feelings
• Focus on the present
moment
• Listen
Medical Dictionary (n.d.). Retrieved June 17,2012. http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/meditation
• Gain insight and
awareness
KARATE
• Uses meditation as
part of the training
•
•
•
•
Defy g rav i ty
S p eed
Qu i ck i n tu i tive p r o ces s in g
A mazi ng feats
SURVIVAL ENVIRONMENT
VS. MEDITATION
Can have negative
No negative side
psychological side
effects
effects
Medical Dictionary (n.d.).
Retrieved June 17,2012.
http://medicaldictionary.thefreedictionary.
com/meditation
CONCLUSION A
•
Daily
meditation
would benefit
aspiring
athletes
CONCLUSION B
• Daily mediation
would benefit
everyone for:
1. Better Health
2. To reach higher
levels of
performance in
any work