For the last 3-4 years I have been playing basketball every Thursday night between October and April. We rent a gym for that span, and play with the same core group of 12 guys. Lately it has been very difficult to be motivated to play. First, the level of play has deteriorated. Second, ever since my tooth incident, I don't play the same kind of game.
When I drive the lane, or am defending, I tend to shy away from contact, despite the fact that I am now wearing a mouthguard courtesy of the tooth injury. I'm sure similar things happen to people who suffer major injuries (ACL tears, achilles injuries), but this has been my only "major" injury so I this is a new experience for me. Couple that with my lagging physical condition (I don't have the speed/quickness that I used to have, I can't jump as high as I used to, my wind is significantly reduced), and it is very difficult to get out of the house to go.
In the past I used to be excited to playing, actually looking forward to it thoughout the week, but it has mostly felt like a job. I am toying with the idea of becoming a sub next season, just so that I am not obligated to play anymore, and can pick and choose when I play (to some degree).
