First off I want to thank my family, friends, and fans for the continued support means a lot to me and keeps me working hard everyday. Everyday when I wake up I think God for allowing me to do what I do for a living, thank my family especially my mom for raising me, all the people who believe in me and of course the fans who really enjoy my game.

I tell people all the time everyone goes through tough times, everyone experience stress, everyone has their own way of dealing with it. I just continue to put it in my head that I'm blessed, Dee stay focus and don't let anyone change what made you who you are. Things been going OKAY, yeah just okay over here

I think we are a good team, we could play better and win the championship. I'm really not playing the minutes I want. It's frustrating but I have learned how to control that. I just go to the gym everyday and try to get better and when my name is called I'm ready to go out there and do something productive for my team. Things could be worse. I promise that's what I tell myself everyday. One thing I'm learning about myself is how strong I am and how much I really believe in myself and my abilities. Without that I promise I don't know where I would be.

Since the last blog we are 2-1. We lost a big Euroleague game to Real Madrid at home. I was sick the whole week with a stomach virus which had me not eating, going to the restroom every 10 minutes and in the bed all day sleeping. I really was feeling bad, but still was able to practice the day before and felt like I could have played, but it was the coaches decision not to play me.

Then we had two Israel games and for those who don't know there is a rule that only allows 3 foreign players to be on the court at one time. Meaning we have 6 foreign players, 5 Americans and Carlos Arroyo who is from Puerto Rico so only 3 of us can play at one time. It's a problem at times for me because at my position the two guards play 30 plus minutes. I just got here and these guys are good and been putting in work so it affects my minutes a lot. But again I can only think positive and be a good teammate. Its tough only playing 3 minutes, or playing 2 minutes at a time because I know I can perform and make a difference while on the court. But again I just focus on going to the gym working hard and getting better. That's why I thank Carlos Arroyo everyday because he loves to practice, I love to practice and we go at each other everyday making each other better and I love that. He is a great player, great person and father. So to be on a team with a guy who has played in the NBA, made a lot of money, has had a great career is a blessing for me. These are the guys that I look up to and I have always looked up to these type of players.

Other than that, Israel has been good to me besides the food. The food is great but it just don't agree with my stomach right now... LOL and its bothering me at times. I love to eat and I have been to just about every good restaurant in Tel Aviv considering I can't cook. The nightlife is great its just like being in the states, but due to some events that just happened we are limited on going out which I can understand but that's when people have to draw the line with athletes. People say us athletes think we are above the world or better than people (maybe a few) but there are some great athletes out there who work hard, take care of home, and have a great time. People say we shouldn't go out, why should you go out, like we are not regular people.

Let me speak out because my family, friends and fans know I keep it real and give you my heart every time. When I'm not playing basketball and I put on my clothes leave the gym, I'm a regular person just like you are when you get off work. Some days work is stressful. Maybe you need to hear some music, maybe you need some love so why not go out and enjoy yourself, enjoy life. I remember my mom coming home everyday from work stressed, tired, and drained. I remember that look, the feeling I had when I saw that like I wish my mom could step out and relax, enjoy herself. I have to enjoy myself, life is short. This life I'm living goes fast. I'm really thinking about my family. I'm thinking about marriage so the fun and  the night life will stop one day, so why not live it up.

I'm in another country and travel all around the world which is a blessing many will never get a chance to do in their lifetime. So I have fun and enjoy myself that's all part of growing up and experiencing life. I work hard, I love my job, I put my life on that basketball court every time I lace up my shoes so I think I deserve to live and do what makes me happy. And for those who are reading, work hard for everything you have enjoy yourself and make sure you are happy first because you are the one putting in the work everyday.

Before I came over, people said Tel Aviv was like a small city in the states, its a very nice place and I'm really enjoying being over here even with the tough times. I just take all the positive out of the situation and smile. I have my two brothers over here with me and they are holding me down. Thats a good feeling to have people who really care about you and look out for your best interest. I just recently brought me a play station over here so you know my mind is on the video game now. I got that NBA Live 09, the new Mortal Kombat, and Soccer (now I see where my son Darrian gets this love for video games from). I love video games. I'm currently working on getting online so I can beat up on my guys from the states back home especially my big bro BUCK. He think he so nice.

But things are moving along we have a big Euroleague game tomorrow. I am currently in Germany and we still have a chance to move on to the top 8 with two more wins and a loss from one of the Spanish teams. We just have to take care of business here first. I'm feeling a lot better, I'm sleeping good and making sure I drink my fluids so when my number is called I'm ready to perform. For those who are curious about my music I been overseas for a little over a month and I have wrote a less 20 songs and currently working on my new project "New Lobby" my third mixtape and last one before my album finally drops late summer.

For those who want to know what a mixtape is, it's like a demo for people to hear what an artist can do in the studio, a preview of his/her album that's coming out. I have big plans for this summer, I have so many things I want to accomplish and get done. Things never stop for me, my mind is full of ideas, plans, goals. My love for music is growing because all of things that's happening to me and all of the things I been blessed with just sittin back and thinking about the last year and a half.

Yeah I know a lot of changes for me and my family. I have been blessed though so I just thank God for the opportunities, thank my family for the confidence in me and my friends and fans for the love. I'm working hard and I promise it will never stop, it will never stop because this is bigger than just playing basketball. It's life, it's waking up breathing, waking up to the sun, my sons, my MOM, it's bigger than anyone can imagine. I'm focused, I'm confident, I'm blessed and this is my SWAGGER... this who I am and I will always be Dee Brown.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my website and reading what's going on in my life its really appreciated. I will continue to write and let everyone know whats going on...much love and respect your boy


Quote of the day; "Never give up, continue to work and believe in yourself"

Dee Brown "Illini Prince"
One Man Fastbreak