Eagles’ Joe Chapman: Injury is in the past

Watching Joe Chapman on the court at Newcastle’s Sport Central, you would never have thought that less than a year ago his career was hanging by the same thread as the snapped tendon in his heel.  He’s still able to back his defender down, he’s recovered the ability to jump off of the same leg that sidelined him for six months and he’s making those fall away, fade away jumpers again – the ones that have become somewhat of a trademark of his game.  But despite all that, he’s not satisfied.

“I think there’s a lot more (to come),” says a confident Chapman.

“I really can’t attack the basket like I want to.  I’m still leading the leagu…” he stops himself mid-sentence.  On the day that I speak to Chapman, he isn’t quite leading the league in scoring.  He’s letting his thoughts get ahead of him when celebrating his achievements since his return. Understandable when you consider that during the rehabilitation of his injured limb, he had to focus on the future in order to keep his mind from concentrating on the present.

In his opinion he can become the league’s top scorer and who’s to say he can’t?  His 6’4, 220lb frame is big enough to bully most defenders down low in the block, getting him any shot he desires and his jump shot, as well as being one of the most aesthetically pleasing, is also one of the deadliest.

Chapman continues to speak but makes sure to correct himself “…leading the team in scoring* so from that standpoint I’m doing good.  But for me personally I know I can get a lot better.”

The man who wears number 32 has an almost unreal competitive drive, something his Newcastle coach, Fab Flournoy, highlighted as being a key reason for wanting him to return to the Northern club.  Simply being back in the BBL, starting for the best team in the league and being one of the premier scorers in the top division isn’t enough for Chapman. He wants more.

But even those with the strongest minds and determination can’t go it alone. “When I got home I really got into my coach and trainers and they really got me back going right away instead of waiting,” admitted Chapman. “I know a lot of guys that can’t bounce back from these type of injuries but I knew a couple of players at Marquette University that went through the same injuries so you just have to have faith in your own ability and what you can do. That was the best thing for me, just to know that I can do it.”

My time with Joe is short and his attention is divided between speaking to me and signing autographs for the endless stream of fans who have come to watch their hero.  And while some players may object to being bombarded with questions following a physically demanding and close fought semi-final game, Chapman answers every question with a smile even if his gaze is trained on the pieces of paper littered with autographs in front of him.

He cuts the image of a man who is grateful for the game of basketball, happy for a second chance in the BBL.  And maybe that’s why staying so long after the game to take photos and talk to fans doesn’t seem like a chore to him – it’s his opportunity to move away from the single-minded and selfish approach he had to take when recovering from injury and now he has a chance to think of others.

My final question to Joe is ‘when do you think you will be back to your best?’ at which point he stops signing the game ticket he has in his hand, raises his head and gives me his full attention:

“As long as we’re still winning games and we’re still number one, that’s all that matters.”

Joe Chapman’s focus is now solely on winning.  At the time of talking to him he has just helped his Newcastle Eagles side reach the BBL Cup Final, they sit atop the BBL and most critically, he has beaten the injury that was scheduled to rule him out of the 2011 season.

Regardless of what the Newcastle Eagles achieve this season, Joe Chapman will be the real success story.

*At the time of interview, Chapman was unaware of his numbers in the Eagles 71-63 win over the Riders and didn’t know that Charles Smith had moved above him in the league’s top scorers.  All statistics can be found here.