Michael Lay – Player Profile

 Age: 29    Nickname: All Day Lay, Mike, M. Lay, Mike Laaaaaaaarrry (like in the movie Bad Boys), M. Sleaze, and ML.

School: Concordia University

Why basketball? As a child, basketball was the only sport my father didn’t teach me. When he abandoned our family, I wanted to create my own identity so I chose basketball.

How many years have you been playing? I’m not that good at math but I started when I was 13 and am now 29. I guess that will be about 30 years of experience (ha-ha).

How has the transition to Team Hawks been? It’s sometimes difficult to relocate but everyone in the club and on the team have been very welcoming which has really helped. I know the Hawks are a highly regarded club, mainly because of their tenacity on the court and winning tradition, which is why I feel extremely privileged to now be a member. Coach Dennis is, without question, the best coach I have ever played for. It’s mind boggling to me how well he knows and understands the game of basketball yet very refreshing that we share the same passion for the sport. He has an uncanny way of bringing out the best in you, which is what I want and need.  

The trainings are well organised and the coaching staff have created a culture that holds every player accountable. There is a lot of attention paid to the detail coupled with explanations addressing why things should be done a certain way. I believe that clarification we receive is essential to our personal development and will be a key ingredient to our success this season. As a senior player, it is very refreshing for me to reacquaint myself with the same fundamentals that got me here. I’m not convinced that all the young players appreciate the knowledge of our coaching staff but I certainly do.

I understand the coaching staff are striving to restore the clubs tradition of strong defence that has brought so much success to the club in the past. We are going to keep working hard in training to improve the processes that will enable us to be competitive each and every game.

Favourite players/inspirational people: When he played for the Lakers, my favourite player growing up was Nick Van Excel. He had the best floater I’ve ever seen which is one of my favourite shots I like to shoot. Outside of my mum, Nelson Mandela is a very inspirational person to me. To me, his life is the perfect example of what it means to be hard working and humble.

Favourite moments playing: ha-ha, how ironic? One of my favourite moments last year (2012) was when I made the game winner against the Hawks. I was adjusting to playing the off-guard the entire season and only started to find my rhythm late in the year. Both teams were fighting for the final playoff spot. Making that shot was special as it kept our finals hopes alive.

Another favourite moment of mine was when the Buccs played the Cougars in the first round of the 2008 SBL Finals. CJ Jackson was the Cougars head coach at the time. It was a hard fought match but in the end we suffered defeat by 1 point in triple overtime. Although we lost, for me that was a memorable game.   

3 things you're good at other than basketball: 1. My wife says she loves receiving monthly excel spreadsheets about our finances so I must be good at that. 2. I like to think that I’m a good cook. 3. I think I’m the best dancer in Australia. Harlem Shake anyone? Ha-ha.

Name 8 of your favourite things you couldn't live without: 1. Faith 2. Wife 3. Family 4. Basketball 5. Money 6. Music 7. Mexican Food 8. Laughter & sleep

If you could hang out with any 5 people in the world, who would they be? 1. Nelson Mandela 2. Barrack Obama 3. Ellen DeGeneres 4. Kobe Bryant 5. Warren Buffet

Favourite quote: "Basketball is a gym of the heart in which the FUNDAMENTALS of success on the court are also the cornerstones of success in life" ~Adopted from "Basketball and Philosophy”

 

Article: Lani Munnee 

Photo: Clare Chappell