Luke Montilla: Arrogance tarnishes the virtue of a leader

ARROGANCE TARNISHES THE VIRTUE OF A LEADER
By: Luke Montilla

Coming in to my 3rd season as a Superstar player and 2nd season leading the Elements, it made me think about the past two seasons and how people thought of me as an arrogant player, a shoot-first outspoken leader who puts hiimself above his teammates. Funny how during all my life, people have always thought I was the nicest person in the world and for once, Superstar Basketball gave me a chance to feel what it's like to play out a villain, an alter-ego I've always wanted to mimmick. I always knew my hero, Kobe Bryant, was misunderstood but fortunately for me, I've never had the critics that he's had throughout his career. I always thought Kobe was an amazing player but never understood why he's had so many critics pin-point his flaws. Michael Jordan, perhaps the all-time greatest basketball player was at one point under scrutiny for taking too many shots and taking out from his teammates play. It wasn't until he started trusting his teammates that he started winning Championships and I know Kobe is on the verge of adapting the same concept of trusting his teammates.

During the winter break it dawned on me that it may have been Kobe's arrogance that also led him to so many critics. “Arrogance tarnishes the virtue of a leader.” The last two seasons I have tried to emulate Kobe by showing off and jacking up unnecessary shots (how critics view him, not my personal view of course). I was taking out my teammates from doing what they have to do and former teammates from Dynasty: Josh Rotcheck, Sealand Wu, and Albert Bustos, can attest to my behavior in season one. I understood that it was Kobe's work ethic that translated to his confidence and in my attempt to try to be Kobe, for 2 weeks, I did his regimen. In my Search and Redemption, I trained and made 500 jump shots and lifted weights. Like everyone else, I work and go to school and the regimen lasted for only 2 weeks. Despite the drop-off, I still had the confidence to shoot, and shoot, and shoot because I believed in myself.

In the span of a few months the people around the league helped me to realize that I cannot win a game by myself and that I had to trust the guy next to me to step up. It was amusing to "act like" Kobe but by no means am I saying that I played like him. It's amusing because this year, critics have finally given Kobe the benefit of the doubt now that he's trusting his teammates and obviously passing the ball more. Kobe passing up the rock to Smush against the Sacramento Queens, who would have thought that was even an option? Kobe trusting Sasha? Evaluating my team, I have a great tandem of players who have known each other for years and hustle on the court. Co-Captain James Bernardo, Noel, Ruan, Ryan are my Lakers on the court. They are truly my brothers in Arms. When we look back at the years of watching the Lakers play, we can actually turn to our very own highlight reels entitled Elements highlights. It's not by no means as great as the Lakers highlights but the experience is priceless.

Despite the humiliating loss to Aztec, Elements did not put their head down and we immediately watched the game tape to see where we went wrong and corrected it. Our win against Angkor Wat was great and it was remarkable how our team rebounded from a disappointing loss against a top-seeded team. The rants on Myspace was very entertaining and for everyone to comment on how we have PBA players is an honor, especially since they were our friends from grade school and they earned their status. It makes me proud as a Captain to see the growth in each individual player not only on the court but off the court. We understand it's only a game and performance isn't based only on the court but how you carry yourself off the court. Arrogance is of the past, it's a new humble beginning. Last season was just practice now it’s LIGHTS OUT!