THERE’S a saying that you miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take. I’ve also heard somewhere that we are a nation of bystanders.

Both sentences above actually have one common denominator that is most people today are more reactive than proactive. We merely watch rather than participate.

And why is this so? It’s not that we don’t want the spotlight focused on us. It’s probably because we think it’s too much hard work to begin with. That’s why when I checked the papers the other day, I totally agree that we have enough jobs but not enough qualified people to fill them up.

Why am I saying this? It’s because opportunities only come to those people who prepare themselves for it. Every step takes you an inch further to where you want to be.

We’ve heard all about street players, who were stuff made of legends and myths in sandlot basketball courts in the country. Yet the talent could only take them a few miles further, as they are saddled by lack of drive, hard work and the demands of having a family at a young age.

Out of basketball, they can’t even hold a decent job for a long period of time. They cashed their chips early and they had to pay the price of mediocrity.

These heartbreak stories can fill up a library. Every day, we hear someone say that things could have been better if they didn’t marry too young, or could have finished a degree or grabbed that chance to get a stable job. It’s the boulevard of broken dreams.

Same with basketball players, particularly those heavily touted to make it big at the onset of their careers. You find a road filled with wasted potential. Players who thought they are already too good to listen to the teachings of their coach. Players who thought they could forever latch on basketball and forget all about finishing school. Players who thought fame and fortune is all there is and became attracted to the lures of the flesh and greed prevalent in professional sports.

Believe me, only those who have the will could earn success to the highest level.

So you’ve got the skills? That’s not enough. Do an extra hour of practice. Shoot a hundred free throws or jump shots. Take time to listen and learn from your coaches. Jog several miles every day to increase your endurance and stamina. Steer clear of an unhealthy lifestyle. Read books about basketball after you’ve finished schoolwork. Outwork, outrun, outshoot and out hustle everyone.

That sure sounds like a lot of hard work, but for someone who is willing to pay the price, the world is their oyster.

Most of you perhaps heard about how Michael Jordan was cut from high-school tryouts. Had he accepted his fate, he would have joined the list of wasted potentials. When he made it to the basketball world, he didn’t really rely on his leaping ability and athleticism but added several more weapons to his arsenal that made him a better player and in fact, one of the greatest. Jordan could just let his talent do all the talking for him. But that wasn’t the case.

In the world out there, we see talented people outperformed by those with little talent but armed with lots of hard work. You can bet your rent money that the latter would always come out ahead at the finish line.

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THIS week’s e-mail is a reaction by Rommel Reyes (melcore1201@yahoo.com.ph) on the column the previous week. The letter was edited for brevity.

Greetings Coach Eric!

This is in reaction to your column. Although I am not an athlete, I am sad about the recent case in which a university was suspended for a year for fielding a basketball player who was not eligible to play. This reminded me of the movie Blue Chips, a movie where a losing basketball coach played by Nick Nolte allowed the “alumni program” of his school to recruit players by offering incentives that are fit for commercial leagues. This muddled his coaching ethics and principles that led to his downfall…I say that all athletes and officials should learn from this movie on how they could help young people become disciplined, team-oriented and responsible individuals.

Dear Rommel,

Thanks for the reaction, Rommel. It’s true that basketball has become so competitive today especially in the collegiate level that coaches, players, school officials would do anything even if it’s illegal just to win.

Anyway, I appreciate your e-mail. More power to you.

Coach E

(Original Article was published last May 2, 2007 at the Business Mirror Sports Section in the column Ask Coach E.)