Why I Don't Watch Basketball...

I suppose I should start with a couple of points, such as I was never any good at it, it never really interested me beyond the Harlem Globetrotters, and because, frankly, the few times I've watched men's professional basketball, it seems to be a game being played on a far too small court with baskets very much too low.  It seems to encourage stupidity, more than athleticism.  

Mind you, the one women's professional basketball game I've gone to really impressed me.  The teamwork was exceptional, lots of passing and shooting - not galumphing down the court and banging the ball into the hoop.  Though frankly watching the last 2-3 minutes of a basketball game is all you really need.  You see who wins.

I did see the last few minutes - of clock time - of the Women's NCAA championship.  More disclosure - my wife grew up in Iowa, and I've really grown rather fond of the place.  But to watch the end of the game was really a prime example of why I won't be watching too much more.

I didn't see the whole game, but I did hear that some of the officiating was suspect.  I for one found it rather odd when the LSU coach, who was wearing some form of Halloween Costume on the sideline was walking ONTO the court while the ball was in play.  I don't know all the rules of basketball, so I suppose this may be allowed.  

However, I do know that regardless of the sport, the real display of sportmanship (or sports woman ship, if you'd rather) comes after the game.  Both the winners and losers can reveal their true character in those moments.  Sure, it's wonderful to win.  It's terrible to lose.  But character isn't what happens when you know people are expecting you to behave a certain way.  Character is what is revealed when you're under stress - positive or negative stress.  I'd like to say that most winners have been gracious, most losers have been honorable and respectful of their opponents.

But this is the 21st Century where trash talking and braggadocio is the point of the exercise - which is probably why I've stopped paying for and watching most sports.  Hell, even Baseball's fallen to the "hurryups" with their new "pitch clock."  I'm sure that, since the games are shorter, there will be a commensurate reduction in ticket prices, since the games are shorter - and a reduction in prices of the concessions, as well, because they've got to move more products to make money, right?

Oh, I know, stop laughing.  I saw an article on CNN about one of the winners from LSU pointing to her empty ring finger as if that will make her a more classy individual.  I get it - the prizes are smaller for women's sporting events, so to win any sort of tournament is a big deal, but if, in your moment of victory, the first thing you think to do is to brag to the losing players that you're getting a ring of some sort, well, back to the whole discussion of class, there's a definite measure which gets applied when someone does that to a defeated opponent.  Not only do they show their lack of respect for their opponents, they also show the lack of respect for themselves, their teammates, their coaches, and everyone else who helped them get there.  

Most of the professional team sports aren't won by a single player.  Single players do and can have a huge influence on the outcome, but last time I checked, there were five people on one team on a basketball court.  Not one.  So if, in the moment of winning a championship, your first thought is of yourself, well, then we know what sort of character you are.

And yeah, before you get all bent out of shape and point out that I've never won a championship, well, partially true.  Most of my grade school and high school victories came from things like Marching band and music competitions, not contests of skill, strength, or ability.  Sure, I held my high school's record for most situps done - yeah, that was me with over 700 in less than an hour.  I beat most of the athletes.  Because I could.  Because I wanted to.  I could lift the entire stack of weights on the weight machine (over 800 pounds) with my legs - because I had strong legs.  And drank lots of milk, drank water that was pretty heavily loaded with iron, so I'm guessing some of that helped.  And yeah, I've been in situations where we put together a hell of a lot of work - only to lose.  And I've been in situations where a team of over 100 people put in another bucketload of work - and won.  

So I know what it feels like.  And you know what?  The first thought that went through my mind when we lost was that I'd somehow had a small part in letting down some people whom I respected, for that was their last chance at a big win.  And the first thought that went through my head when we won, 3 years later, in another international competition?  We - not just me, but all of us We - had done our best.  And my folks would be proud.

So I was mostly right.  As to whether I would wave the trophy in the face of the other folks whom we beat?  No.  It was their preparation and their skill which made our goal that much bigger - because I'd much rather compete and win in a competition where everyone did their best, than in one where everyone broke a bone, a tool, or worse.  

So, yeah, character.  If you have to brag after you win something big, well, look in the mirror - you're still the same, small little character who has accidentally accomplished something big, rather than an accomplished individual who managed to excel in a challenge.  But yeah, I know, that's just my opinion.  But it's also why I don't bother watching most sports on TV.  It's not enjoyable.  It's excruciating, it's boring, and it's a total waste of time.  It's got nothing that interests me.  When it comes to professional sports, it's rich people playing for themselves.  They don't represent a town, a state, a region, an idea, or a thing.  They're just out for themselves.

As am I.  But I'm not a team sport.  I'm just an adult.  I guess.