Farewell, basketball.
Ok, this may be all talk for now. It's funny that I started this blog talking about basketball players that I can't stand, like Ron Artest, Ben Wallace and everybody else involved in that ridiculous fight at the beginning of the season. I''ve been slowly dismissing myself from pro sports for a few years now, and watching Reggie Miller's final game the other night pushed me even closer to becoming the sports fan that just watches the last 5 minutes of the final game of the year. I've had my day of being a sports fan. The other night I was valet parking and my friend Zeb and I were quizzing each other on batting stances of our favorite baseball players from the late 80's. I used to even know players' middle names. But now, I'm sorry but Reggie's retirement marks the end of my interest in basketball. I may watch a few games here and there, but I'll never be a fan again.
Did anybody watch the way the game ended the other night? The referee called a timeout before the clock ran out, just to give the players, coaches, and fans a chance to honor the last of the players who play with all heart, loyal to one team, who almost always pulled through in the clutch no matter how bad of a season they were having. All of the players just stopped what they were doing, faced him on the bench, and just clapped. Fans were crying, Reggie himself was crying, Larry Brown (Pistons coach) even crossed the floor to honor him. It was great, just the way a superstar like Reggie should go. I have to admit I had chills and almost tears just from the way they honored him. Reggie never put out huge numbers, but when it mattered, he scored. Remember the Pacers/Knicks rivalry from the 90's? Spike Lee taunts Reggie from the sideline and Reggie in response scores 25 points in the fourth quarter to make one of the most amazing comebacks in history, glaring Spike down with the stink-eye every time he scored. Some of the 3's that he made in that game should have been considered 4's they were so far behind the line. Anyway, this is my little farewell to Reggie Miller, along with my ever-growing farewell to steroid-greed-laden pro sports.
posted by Firelance @ 10:18 AM
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