Last night was my first official NBA game. How could this get any better? I get a deal on tickets by knowing someone who knows someone, and in my mind I am going to make my way to the Palace of Auburn Hills to watch my beloved Detroit Pistons close out their playoff series versus the Chicago Bulls. My how things can change. The Bulls shot about 75% through three quarters, which is astronomical. To save myself any more embarrassment about the outcome of the game lets just leave it at the fact that the Bulls won 108-92.
My experience of this game went far beyond who was scoring and how much. I was enthralled by the amazing introductions of the Pistons, they have the best intro sessions I have ever seen. Flame throwers launch 25ft flames and steam whistles blast off like a Train. It is awesome. And then there is the amazing and world renowned voice of Mason belting: DEEEtroit Basketballlllll!!!!! It was great by any standard of a sporting event. By the way, I am fascinated by any stadium, any major sporting event...imagine if it is actually MY TEAM!!! Then I noticed something.
Somewhere during the last half of the 1st quarter a timeout was taken by the Pistons (as they were getting lit up like the fourth of July). At this juncture I was hit by what might as well been a punch to the stomach. I watched Coach Saunders give the reeling Pistons instruction, encouragement, and overall a moment to catch their collective thoughts. I then scanned down the sideline to take a look at what the Chicago coach was doing. About halfway down the sideline I see our superstar Rasheed Wallace sitting at the mid-court line on the scorers table. Instinctively I looked back to see if the huddle had broken out. No such luck. Rasheed was completely separating himself from the team. As someone who one day dreams of being a “big time” coach, and someone who more realistically has been involved in team sports my entire life, I was nearly sick to realize that these Pistons, who I endlessly hail as a great example of team in a sport that has gone madly individual, may have a glitch. This hurt. I watched this happen throughout the rest of the game, realizing that in some fashion, Wallace separates himself from the team. He does it with recklessness. Its not that he doesn’t pay attention in the huddle, or even that he argues with the coach…he flat out separates himself. Not only does Rasheed go on to have a horrible game, he revels in the amazing uproar after each shot he does make. The stadium was never louder than when Wallace would do his job.
As with most conversation, I tend to relate sports in some way, but what does this say for what our society has become? The person who takes themselves out of the team mentality in a team sport with an almost indignant attitude still receives the loudest cheer even when only producing results 40% of the time. All this at $11.65 million a year!
My experience of this game went far beyond who was scoring and how much. I was enthralled by the amazing introductions of the Pistons, they have the best intro sessions I have ever seen. Flame throwers launch 25ft flames and steam whistles blast off like a Train. It is awesome. And then there is the amazing and world renowned voice of Mason belting: DEEEtroit Basketballlllll!!!!! It was great by any standard of a sporting event. By the way, I am fascinated by any stadium, any major sporting event...imagine if it is actually MY TEAM!!! Then I noticed something.
Somewhere during the last half of the 1st quarter a timeout was taken by the Pistons (as they were getting lit up like the fourth of July). At this juncture I was hit by what might as well been a punch to the stomach. I watched Coach Saunders give the reeling Pistons instruction, encouragement, and overall a moment to catch their collective thoughts. I then scanned down the sideline to take a look at what the Chicago coach was doing. About halfway down the sideline I see our superstar Rasheed Wallace sitting at the mid-court line on the scorers table. Instinctively I looked back to see if the huddle had broken out. No such luck. Rasheed was completely separating himself from the team. As someone who one day dreams of being a “big time” coach, and someone who more realistically has been involved in team sports my entire life, I was nearly sick to realize that these Pistons, who I endlessly hail as a great example of team in a sport that has gone madly individual, may have a glitch. This hurt. I watched this happen throughout the rest of the game, realizing that in some fashion, Wallace separates himself from the team. He does it with recklessness. Its not that he doesn’t pay attention in the huddle, or even that he argues with the coach…he flat out separates himself. Not only does Rasheed go on to have a horrible game, he revels in the amazing uproar after each shot he does make. The stadium was never louder than when Wallace would do his job.
As with most conversation, I tend to relate sports in some way, but what does this say for what our society has become? The person who takes themselves out of the team mentality in a team sport with an almost indignant attitude still receives the loudest cheer even when only producing results 40% of the time. All this at $11.65 million a year!
4 comments:
My first reaction is, "What a jerk!" This is what I was getting at in my post concerning "King" Roger Clemens. You are either on a team, a part of the team, or you are not. The same applies in the Church. It is a community, although in most places it appears to be a pseudo community at best.
I am glad you got to attend this game though. Better luck next time!
This is definitely a small world! My husband does not remember Randy Schaetzle but he said it's very likely that he is our relative (as you said, there are not too many people with this last name around). That triggered his curiosity though, and he would like to know if you have Randy's e-mail address. Anyway, we've started attending the KNC about a month ago and we really enjoy the preaching. Pr. Monty is a wonderful instrument in God's hands. The Nazarene Church is my home church back in Brazil so it's nice that I found one here. By the way, do you speak a little Portuguese? Blessings on you Josh!
What's up Lucas? It's time for a reply or something!
Im on it Monty!!!
My main thought after having some time to think longer about this, is that I still love the Pistons, and after watching Game 6, I loved how Teyshaun Prince (my fav) really got in Rasheeds face when he was going nuts on the Ref, getting his normal one-per-game Technical Foul. I loved it.
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