I have been a mind-boggling basketball fan for as long as I can remember. I played guard on my grade school, junior high and high school teams and loved every minute of it. I remember sitting at the dinner table talking with my family when my Dad looked at me and said, “Is basketball the only thing you can talk about?” He meant please shut up about it. Basketball and fishing were my life.
Later I pursued a degree in history and coaching. In those days you had to teach history or math in order to coach at the high school level. Somehow I got sidetracked and became a psychotherapist. In spite of that I coached high school summer leagues and boys club leagues. Continuing my basketball career, I played at every opportunity for years and still would if an opportunity arose.
I remember watching the Boston Celtics on TV as they won nearly every NBA championship in the 1960s. Then the Seattle Sonics came along and became my team. I was there for every game at the Seattle Kingdome in 1978 when the Sonics lost to the Washington Bullets in the NBA championship series. I cried after game seven when it was all over. But then I was elated the following year when the Sonics beat the same Bullets in 5 games for the championship. In 1996 I watched every game of the championship series between the Sonics and the Chicago Bulls on TV from Arizona, Montana and Mexico. Michael Jordan won it for Chicago in game 7 of course.
Some business tycoon from Oklahoma City came to Seattle and stole my beloved Sonics away. He took them to Oklahoma and re-named them Thunder. Boo! That happened the year I moved back to Seattle. I would have bought season tickets. I am still angry and disgruntled about that theft.
There are many more disgruntled basketball fans these days. Yes, I am referring to the current state of affairs: The mind-boggling NBA Lockout. The Billionaire owners and the Millionaire players can’t agree on how to split the financial take from the fans. In the process they are losing fans, dollars and further damaging our economy. One or the other or both have to give in. We need basketball. Not only for the opportunity to watch superb individual and team efforts but many businesses in NBA cities rely heavily on the games for income during the 84 game season.
In the Miami area, where I am currently, the Heat fans were looking forward to the NBA season. Having lost out in the finals last year they wanted to see LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh come through this year. Also disappointed are many local hotels, restaurants and bars that have already cut staff, lost income and face more of the same.
Four thousand fans were able to see a benefit game last Saturday night…but when will it start for real? The benefit was at Florida International University where the head basketball coach is Isiah Thomas, former NBA star. Proceeds from the game went to Isiah’s foundation that serves disadvantaged youth and families. The teams were made up of NBA players. Miami Heat players actually played against each other. Also playing were such greats as Amare Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks. Also playing was Kevin Durant of the Thunder. I wish I had been able to get tickets but no such luck. Dwayne Wade’s team won 141 to 140 in overtime. I presume the focus wasn’t on defense. The point is these guys love to play basketball. Fans love the game and seeing them play. Come on Commissioner Stern. Make it happen!
But no, instead the Commissioner of the NBA, David Stern on Monday canceled the first two weeks of the NBA season that was slated to begin on November 3rd. The preseason was already canceled. That’s mind-boggling and crazy. It’s all about money. If this keeps up I might lose interest and turn to something else like fishing perhaps. After all, a day of deep sea fishing out of Miami Beach is about the same cost as going to a game at Madison Square Garden or Miami.
Stan the Man
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