Showing posts with label basketball. Show all posts
Showing posts with label basketball. Show all posts
City Or Country?

Is there a "better" place to grow up--city vs country--urban vs rural? I was born in the city--Washington, D of C. There was always someplace to go, someone to see, something to do.

I visited the country often. I spent entire summers in the country. But the whole time that I was there, I longed for the city. Not only was I bored, but I am/was scared of "critters." Not that the country didn't have it's good points. I liked the fresh air, the sound of roosters crowing in the morning, the slower pace. I had never seen cornfields in the city. I would have never seen water pumped from a well in the city. I never tasted North Carolina BBQ until i visited the country.

Instead, I was able to be one of the first riders on DC's subway system. I braved the brutal cold to see Jimmy Carter's inauguration parade. I saw Moses Malone play Urban League basketball the summer before he entered the NBA, straight from high school. I experienced my first musical, Purlie, with Robert Guillaume at the National Theatre.

I'm sure that I missed something by being reared in the big city, but I'm happy with the person that I have become. What about you? Where did you grow up? What are your fondest memories? Did you miss the "other" life?

Your comments--priceless!!

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The Lebron Lesson

My son, who is 12, has been following the NBA playoffs. He was rooting hard for Lebron and the Cavaliers. Of course, the Cavs lost big and were eliminated. As frustrated as he was with the loss, he was a lot more disappointed by the seemingly "sore loser" actions of Lebron.

While confetti rained down in Amway Arena, his teammates and Cavs' staff sought out the Orlando Magic and congratulated them on the advancement to the Finals. Where was Lebron? Well, when the final seconds ticked down, Lebron put on his poker face and left the floor. Later, when the press conference started, Lebron was a no-show, having chosen to don his headphones and leave the arena. My son was disappointed in a major way.

Now my son certainly understands losing and the feeling of defeat. You see, basketball is his favorite sport. He loves it. He gets to school an hour early everyday and plays basketball. He plays with his friends every afternoon. But, even with all of that practice, he's simply not that great at basketball. But he hasn't given up b-ball. In fact, he tries out for his middle school team every year, and has never made it. He hasn't given up. He says that he simply loves playing. But seldom is he on the winning team. He's used to it and it hasn't deterred him from participating. It's important to him, though, to congratulate his friends when they win. And it's important for him to encourage those friends that seem to have "the gift." Why shouldn't he? It's how sports are supposed to be played.

He knows that he may never be a great player and he's okay with that. Very few kids who love basketball actually grow up to play professionally. However, the lessons of sports should stay with them throughout their lives. The lessons of respect, honor, sportsmanship, etc. If it's all good when you win Rookie of the Year and/or MVP, then it has to be equally as good when your team doesn't play well enough to advance to the Finals. I hope this was just an isolated slip for Lebron, and that it doesn't become habit. I can say, however, that while my son is definitely still a Cavs fan, he's a bit disenchanted with Lebron.

Your comments--priceless!!

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