Natasha Howard: I’m Going Back to Where I Started

I’ve simply introduced that I’m going again to the place it began and will likely be enjoying for Indiana. Mentally, I’m good. I’m glad. I’ve a tremendous household on either side, my spouse and my facet of the household and I’m simply actually grateful that I’ve the chance to nonetheless play basketball as a result of lots of people don’t have the choice to play the sport that they love. I’m glad that I’m in a position to nonetheless play and nonetheless benefit from the sport that I really like. 

I used to be drafted by the Fever in 2014 because the No. 5 choose. Trying again, I’d inform my youthful self to simply hold working as a result of that’s what acquired you right here. Don’t take no shortcuts. And I’m actually pleased with you for being affected person and having an open thoughts. Option to follow, solution to maintain your self collectively when it got here to powerful conditions. 

Again then, I acquired to play with the legendary Tamika Catchings, and I nonetheless bear in mind what she’d inform me, at the same time as a rookie: “Do every part game-like, as a result of while you do every part game-like, it’s going to be simple within the sport.” I nonetheless carry that with me, and every part that I do, I simply go onerous. Should you half a– one thing, excuse my language, you’re going to try this within the sport. So, my mindset is don’t lower your self quick as a result of the following individual will likely be ready to take your spot. 

My time spent in Dallas was cool. It was one thing completely different for me as a result of I’m so used to enjoying in arenas, so coming to Dallas was utterly completely different. Don’t get me unsuitable, individuals acquired to begin the place they do, however enjoying in a university enviornment, not even having your personal locker room, was utterly completely different. My first season was effective and I’m grateful for every part in Dallas. 

Now, going into my twelfth season within the WNBA, I do know what I’m about. Throughout Free Company, I used to be searching for a group that might admire me and what I carry to the desk and gained’t dim my mild. That’s the factor: I’ve to take care of that quite a bit. Although I bust my butt day in and time out, I nonetheless don’t get the popularity that I deserve. I really feel like, this time round, I needed a group that may give me the popularity that I would like and, on prime of that, simply ensuring that I’m glad. I wish to get up, like, Woo, I really feel good! Right this moment I’m going to work, I’m about to be with my teammates. I don’t wish to be dragging away from bed, looking for that power. Total, I actually simply wish to be glad, have nice individuals round me and teammates that wish to work and get higher. 

When individuals first meet me, we click on instantly. I’ve had individuals inform me, Tash you’re cool, however on the basketball courtroom, I believed you was an a-hole. It may appear that approach as a result of on the courtroom, we’re in-between the traces. There’s a distinction. After I’m on that courtroom, like, nah, we ain’t cool. We ain’t buddy buddy. You the enemy. You on the opposite facet. However off the courtroom I’m goofy, I’m myself. I’m a tough employee, too, and no matter I’ve occurring off the courtroom, I depart it there. I don’t carry it to work. After I informed Kelsey Mitchell glad birthday, she was like, “Thanks a lot. You’re a one in every of a sort on this League. That’s the rationale why you and I are cool.” I actually appreciated that as a result of I by no means actually hear different gamers say something about me. That actually touched my coronary heart. 

Proper now, I simply wish to get higher every single day and add one thing new to my sport every single day. Be extra constant on simply capturing the ball higher as a result of this previous season, I didn’t actually shoot the three ball that a lot. I wish to hold elevating my sport the easiest way I can so my profession can last more, but in addition simply being current within the second and having enjoyable. I don’t know once I’m going to hold it up, so I wish to simply take each second and take it daily. Don’t rush nothing. I’m simply going with the circulate. I don’t actually have any objectives set for myself this yr in addition to the group although. My focus is successful a championship and getting my fourth ring. That’d be pretty.

To do this takes dedication and onerous work. You may’t take days off for those who’re making an attempt to be on the mountain. That’s one factor that I didn’t do once I gained these three championships: I didn’t take days off. I didn’t care what number of minutes I performed, if I performed 5 minutes, I’m going onerous in these 5 minutes. These three championships didn’t come simple in any respect, we battled accidents left and proper, like when Lindsay Whalen was enjoying with a damaged hand. After we gained in 2018, Sue Chook broke her nostril. It was a freak accident.

I simply wish to simply hold working onerous, do the issues that I’d do once I acquired these championships and convey it to the following group. I take a look at my rings and I’m like, I would like one other one. I used to be exhibiting them to my son, I’m like, that is what it takes if you wish to get one in every of these. It takes onerous work. 

I’ve been counting down the times to announce the place I’m going subsequent. To Fever followers: I’m excited.