And I Love That Basketball. I Took That Basketball Everywhere I Went. You Know What? That Basketball Was Like A Basketball To Me
Went home for Thanksgiving. First time travelling away from the LA since residency started this summer. It was nice seeing family and friends. My mother had a birthday recently, so the idea was to take her to Powell's bookstore with a mandate to find books we would then buy for her. Of course, it had been a long time since I had wandered around the store, too. I found a handful of books related to the book I'm writing, and also this one:
Golden: The Miraculous Rise of Steph Curry by Marcus Thomson II had been a book I've been meaning to read. I was in the Bay Area for six years. When I arrived the Warriors were not good, at all. And other than the 'We-Believe' team with the Baron Davis dunk and dismantling of the number one seed Mavericks, had last had real success around when last the Trail Blazers won a title -- the late 70's. Keith Smart was the coach, with Mark Jackson soon to come. Andris Biedrens was still on the roster. Sniffing the playoffs would have been considered successful with this team. The number seven pick of the 2009 draft had glass-like ankles, seemingly. I went to a handful of games at Oracle Arena where the Trail Blazers were the visiting team, until the last year, when we were priced out of the arena. While it is fun to sit even in the nose-bleeds, I confess I much prefer to sit closer (duh) and would rather not spend way too much money to sit at the top of the gym. Regardless, between live games and streaming games, watching the Warriors become the most unlikely juggernaut, two championships in three years with a 73/82 win season. They won 89% of their games that season, and besting Jordan's Bull's team that had previously won 72 games out of 82. History would tell us that an NBA team that wins 50 games in a season is successful, most likely makes the playoffs, and may even be good enough to get hot at the right time and see major victories in the playoffs. And even now, they harbor superior talent and are the favorites to win the chip.
I am kinda tempted to turn this into a Steph Curry kiss-ass prop-piece. I don't know a lot of people that I would even consider doing that for. It's tempting to extol his virtues, of which there are many. Some of you may not know much about basketball, nor care about it. I get it. I don't really like the NFL, or the other major sports, in terms of rabid fandom. And while, yeah, I consider myself a "fan" of the Trail Blazer team based in Portland, Oregon, I do enjoy watching basketball. In general, if one spends time a bunch of time engaged in a certain activity, watching the best do it is fun -- the memories of what it was like to be able to run and jump with abandon force us to live vicariously through the professional athlete. I've played a lot of round-ball in my life. But what Steph Curry brought to the world of the NBA transcends the game of basketball and shines in sharp contrast too many in our culture who boast loud bullhorns and shy not away from abusing their position. In short, Steph Curry has positioned himself to widely considered the best shooter in the history of the NBA, and for those who argue he has not had the longevity to warrant such a title, I can't really argue with you, but, there is no sign of slowing down and we shall see in the next ten years what happens. This cat has won two MVP awards, and the second one was unanimous -- the first time that had happened. He is 6'3" on a hot day and does not have the chiseled, imposing and intimidating physique that many NBA players have. Much has been made of his light skin tone. He doesn't overpower people by smashing into them, but he does bend men to his will.
I think one of the reasons I've become fascinated with The Chef, is, like so many of us, imagine that his public persona and modus operandi is representative of what we would do, best case scenario, if we were in his position. Obviously he isn't some infallible deity, and of course I'm speaking in generalities, but the consistency is there, from childhood, through prep school and into and through college into the professional ranks. He was raised by a family with means; his father, Dell Curry was a bonafide sniper from 3 point range, for his time, at least. And while NBA players in the 90's were not making the kind of coin they do in this era, in no way was the family struggling to make ends meet. Furthermore, Steph grew up around basketball and NBA players, nevertheless, this has seemingly worked against him in that he wasn't ranked as a prep player, in his state of North Carolina or in the nation. He was not recruited by any major collegiate basketball programs; Duke and North Carolina had no interest in him; he ended up at Davidson, in part due to their academic prowess. While there he led the nation in scoring and led this small, otherwise unknown (at least in the world of NCAA basketball) school to the elite 8 of the Final Four tournament. And while he was picked 7th in the NBA draft, he was the third point guard taken. Through all of this he has taken every slight, underestimation and write-off and internalized it, and from a distant, outsider's perspective, has used that for fueling a healthy response. He does not speak ill of other players or past associates. The only negative thing I can recall him espousing is a contradiction of Under Armor's CEO praising our Tweeter in Chief, which I count as a positive thing overall. Other players, past and present have piled on in subtle and heavy handed ways over the past few years. Members of successful teams from the past stating that Golden State would not stand a chance against them in a hypothetical head-to-head match up. Players from the 80's and 90's have long since criticized teams and players for being soft in this modern day hand check free game. While I risk losing every reader if I go down the tangential rabbit hole that is "get off my lawn" attitudes of older people who love to denounce younger people practicing in the same field as they used to. One would be forgiven to think that Larry Bird never missed a shot, that Magic had a triple double every game and that players worked harder, smarter and were more efficient back in the day -- oh, and this was all done while being mugged by the defense. This assumes that the great players of today wouldn't adapt. That they are not tough enough to deal with hand checking. That they don't have superior technology and an improved, deeper pool of resources. Could a 30 year old Michael Jordan dominate in today's league? Yeah, I think so. Could Stephen Curry go into 1989 right now and battle the Piston Bad Boys and be victorious? Hell yeah.
All of that is besides the point. The demeanor in which Steph Curry, a leader within his field, treats those around him is a strategy that has, is and should be employed in every professional field. Boasting, in general, does the exact opposite of the boaster's intentions. Tearing down others in efforts to shine brighter serves to illuminate deficiencies in character of the 'tearer,' not the other way around. In general I feel like helping others succeed, whether it be teaching, encouragement or simply (trying) to set an example, is how I can be the best me that I can be (I write this knowing how cheesy this probably sounds) and often this means that glamour, glory and accolades are showered on others. Perhaps being an introvert plays into this dynamic -- anecdotally it seems to favor this type of disposition; I don't wholly buy into this but certainly it easier for those who shun the spotlight to allow others to bask. In my opinion (as if someone else's opinion would show up here) the largest element that allows one to willingly, or even, enthusiastically, desire those around them to succeed is simply contingent on a solid perception of high self-worth.
The summer before last saw the Warriors lose in the final series of the NBA playoffs to Lebron James' Cavaliers. That was the season Golden State earned the highest win total, ever, in the history of the NBA. The contrast in being the best regular season team ever, with then losing the 'ship was, I presume, painful to the team and their fans. A few weeks after the playoffs ended, free-agency started and Kevin Durant, a previous league MVP decided to leave Oklahoma City (can't blame him -- I spent 3 weeks there last year) and join the Golden State Warriors. Much has been said and Durant has been much maligned for this decision, but that is not the issue at hand. What is impressive is that Curry welcomed another MVP to his team, a team that had won a championship two years prior and followed that up with a record breaking regular season. Undoubtedly Curry's light would be partially hidden under a bush even in the best of circumstances. Durant is a basketball machine, at nearly seven feet tall and slim with quickness usually reserved for men much less his stature, might even have a more complete game relative to Steph Curry. Last year the Warriors made it to the championship series for the third straight year (as did the Cav's) but this time around the Warriors rolled with relative ease. Durant was named the finals MVP -- and he deserved it. Curry showed no signs of jealousy, remorse for having Durant join and at times, take up most of the spotlights shine.
For you or I, this might not seem like much. But in the world of professional athletes, especially NBA players, this is unique. Not all of these things are unique to Curry alone, but the way he consistently responds to judgements and evaluations deeming him less than worthy of not only his potential, but also his past works, is unique, I think, in his world. He has continued to assert his dominance, to put on display his superiority in ability to put a ball through a metal ring from a long ways away and this gives him rights that he doesn't exercise. Maybe because he grew up with the bright lights of the arenas and cameras that he doesn't seem fazed by them, maybe it is why he seemingly feels so comfortable under the lights. Maybe he knows that life requires human beings to be multifaceted, to be dynamic in their behavior and that one size will never fit everyone. Perhaps his upbringing taught him that despite what the columnists say and what the talking head television pundits spout off on, it is never all about him. The joy that the Warriors bench celebrates on court awesomeness is indicative of Curry's overall attitude.
I'm old enough to remember Michael Jordan when he played, and not just for the Wizards. WGN would broadcast all the locally televised games out of Chicago, and whatever cable service we had at the time carried WGN. It was exciting to watch him play -- what crazy thing would he pull off in this game? There have been plenty of stars in the NBA who approached this level of intrigue. But since Curry has come into his own the past few years, it is the first time I've felt that excitement about a player. Kobe, Shaq, T-Mac and Vince Carter were all exciting, but they all played within a certain framework allowing for sensational acts, to a certain degree. Kobe scored 81 against Jalen Rose's Raptors -- pretty damn incredible. But nothing has compared to Curry and his ability to invert the basketball court and allow his outside shot to open up his inside game, it has always been the opposite. Inside game allows for the outside game to develop.
Anyway, here's to a Kerr/Popovich ticket for the 2020 Presidential Election!
Golden: The Miraculous Rise of Steph Curry by Marcus Thomson II had been a book I've been meaning to read. I was in the Bay Area for six years. When I arrived the Warriors were not good, at all. And other than the 'We-Believe' team with the Baron Davis dunk and dismantling of the number one seed Mavericks, had last had real success around when last the Trail Blazers won a title -- the late 70's. Keith Smart was the coach, with Mark Jackson soon to come. Andris Biedrens was still on the roster. Sniffing the playoffs would have been considered successful with this team. The number seven pick of the 2009 draft had glass-like ankles, seemingly. I went to a handful of games at Oracle Arena where the Trail Blazers were the visiting team, until the last year, when we were priced out of the arena. While it is fun to sit even in the nose-bleeds, I confess I much prefer to sit closer (duh) and would rather not spend way too much money to sit at the top of the gym. Regardless, between live games and streaming games, watching the Warriors become the most unlikely juggernaut, two championships in three years with a 73/82 win season. They won 89% of their games that season, and besting Jordan's Bull's team that had previously won 72 games out of 82. History would tell us that an NBA team that wins 50 games in a season is successful, most likely makes the playoffs, and may even be good enough to get hot at the right time and see major victories in the playoffs. And even now, they harbor superior talent and are the favorites to win the chip.
I am kinda tempted to turn this into a Steph Curry kiss-ass prop-piece. I don't know a lot of people that I would even consider doing that for. It's tempting to extol his virtues, of which there are many. Some of you may not know much about basketball, nor care about it. I get it. I don't really like the NFL, or the other major sports, in terms of rabid fandom. And while, yeah, I consider myself a "fan" of the Trail Blazer team based in Portland, Oregon, I do enjoy watching basketball. In general, if one spends time a bunch of time engaged in a certain activity, watching the best do it is fun -- the memories of what it was like to be able to run and jump with abandon force us to live vicariously through the professional athlete. I've played a lot of round-ball in my life. But what Steph Curry brought to the world of the NBA transcends the game of basketball and shines in sharp contrast too many in our culture who boast loud bullhorns and shy not away from abusing their position. In short, Steph Curry has positioned himself to widely considered the best shooter in the history of the NBA, and for those who argue he has not had the longevity to warrant such a title, I can't really argue with you, but, there is no sign of slowing down and we shall see in the next ten years what happens. This cat has won two MVP awards, and the second one was unanimous -- the first time that had happened. He is 6'3" on a hot day and does not have the chiseled, imposing and intimidating physique that many NBA players have. Much has been made of his light skin tone. He doesn't overpower people by smashing into them, but he does bend men to his will.
I think one of the reasons I've become fascinated with The Chef, is, like so many of us, imagine that his public persona and modus operandi is representative of what we would do, best case scenario, if we were in his position. Obviously he isn't some infallible deity, and of course I'm speaking in generalities, but the consistency is there, from childhood, through prep school and into and through college into the professional ranks. He was raised by a family with means; his father, Dell Curry was a bonafide sniper from 3 point range, for his time, at least. And while NBA players in the 90's were not making the kind of coin they do in this era, in no way was the family struggling to make ends meet. Furthermore, Steph grew up around basketball and NBA players, nevertheless, this has seemingly worked against him in that he wasn't ranked as a prep player, in his state of North Carolina or in the nation. He was not recruited by any major collegiate basketball programs; Duke and North Carolina had no interest in him; he ended up at Davidson, in part due to their academic prowess. While there he led the nation in scoring and led this small, otherwise unknown (at least in the world of NCAA basketball) school to the elite 8 of the Final Four tournament. And while he was picked 7th in the NBA draft, he was the third point guard taken. Through all of this he has taken every slight, underestimation and write-off and internalized it, and from a distant, outsider's perspective, has used that for fueling a healthy response. He does not speak ill of other players or past associates. The only negative thing I can recall him espousing is a contradiction of Under Armor's CEO praising our Tweeter in Chief, which I count as a positive thing overall. Other players, past and present have piled on in subtle and heavy handed ways over the past few years. Members of successful teams from the past stating that Golden State would not stand a chance against them in a hypothetical head-to-head match up. Players from the 80's and 90's have long since criticized teams and players for being soft in this modern day hand check free game. While I risk losing every reader if I go down the tangential rabbit hole that is "get off my lawn" attitudes of older people who love to denounce younger people practicing in the same field as they used to. One would be forgiven to think that Larry Bird never missed a shot, that Magic had a triple double every game and that players worked harder, smarter and were more efficient back in the day -- oh, and this was all done while being mugged by the defense. This assumes that the great players of today wouldn't adapt. That they are not tough enough to deal with hand checking. That they don't have superior technology and an improved, deeper pool of resources. Could a 30 year old Michael Jordan dominate in today's league? Yeah, I think so. Could Stephen Curry go into 1989 right now and battle the Piston Bad Boys and be victorious? Hell yeah.
All of that is besides the point. The demeanor in which Steph Curry, a leader within his field, treats those around him is a strategy that has, is and should be employed in every professional field. Boasting, in general, does the exact opposite of the boaster's intentions. Tearing down others in efforts to shine brighter serves to illuminate deficiencies in character of the 'tearer,' not the other way around. In general I feel like helping others succeed, whether it be teaching, encouragement or simply (trying) to set an example, is how I can be the best me that I can be (I write this knowing how cheesy this probably sounds) and often this means that glamour, glory and accolades are showered on others. Perhaps being an introvert plays into this dynamic -- anecdotally it seems to favor this type of disposition; I don't wholly buy into this but certainly it easier for those who shun the spotlight to allow others to bask. In my opinion (as if someone else's opinion would show up here) the largest element that allows one to willingly, or even, enthusiastically, desire those around them to succeed is simply contingent on a solid perception of high self-worth.
The summer before last saw the Warriors lose in the final series of the NBA playoffs to Lebron James' Cavaliers. That was the season Golden State earned the highest win total, ever, in the history of the NBA. The contrast in being the best regular season team ever, with then losing the 'ship was, I presume, painful to the team and their fans. A few weeks after the playoffs ended, free-agency started and Kevin Durant, a previous league MVP decided to leave Oklahoma City (can't blame him -- I spent 3 weeks there last year) and join the Golden State Warriors. Much has been said and Durant has been much maligned for this decision, but that is not the issue at hand. What is impressive is that Curry welcomed another MVP to his team, a team that had won a championship two years prior and followed that up with a record breaking regular season. Undoubtedly Curry's light would be partially hidden under a bush even in the best of circumstances. Durant is a basketball machine, at nearly seven feet tall and slim with quickness usually reserved for men much less his stature, might even have a more complete game relative to Steph Curry. Last year the Warriors made it to the championship series for the third straight year (as did the Cav's) but this time around the Warriors rolled with relative ease. Durant was named the finals MVP -- and he deserved it. Curry showed no signs of jealousy, remorse for having Durant join and at times, take up most of the spotlights shine.
For you or I, this might not seem like much. But in the world of professional athletes, especially NBA players, this is unique. Not all of these things are unique to Curry alone, but the way he consistently responds to judgements and evaluations deeming him less than worthy of not only his potential, but also his past works, is unique, I think, in his world. He has continued to assert his dominance, to put on display his superiority in ability to put a ball through a metal ring from a long ways away and this gives him rights that he doesn't exercise. Maybe because he grew up with the bright lights of the arenas and cameras that he doesn't seem fazed by them, maybe it is why he seemingly feels so comfortable under the lights. Maybe he knows that life requires human beings to be multifaceted, to be dynamic in their behavior and that one size will never fit everyone. Perhaps his upbringing taught him that despite what the columnists say and what the talking head television pundits spout off on, it is never all about him. The joy that the Warriors bench celebrates on court awesomeness is indicative of Curry's overall attitude.
I'm old enough to remember Michael Jordan when he played, and not just for the Wizards. WGN would broadcast all the locally televised games out of Chicago, and whatever cable service we had at the time carried WGN. It was exciting to watch him play -- what crazy thing would he pull off in this game? There have been plenty of stars in the NBA who approached this level of intrigue. But since Curry has come into his own the past few years, it is the first time I've felt that excitement about a player. Kobe, Shaq, T-Mac and Vince Carter were all exciting, but they all played within a certain framework allowing for sensational acts, to a certain degree. Kobe scored 81 against Jalen Rose's Raptors -- pretty damn incredible. But nothing has compared to Curry and his ability to invert the basketball court and allow his outside shot to open up his inside game, it has always been the opposite. Inside game allows for the outside game to develop.
Anyway, here's to a Kerr/Popovich ticket for the 2020 Presidential Election!
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