by Tariq al Haydar
Sports don't matter.
They just don't. Not in the big picture.
To me, they're a mere diversion. A hobby. There is no real importance tied to it.
But in the summer of 2008, basketball and life intersected for me. All of a sudden, inexplicably, I found myself at a critical juncture in my life. It was a strange experience. I can't really delve into what happened to me, because it would seem crazy from the outside looking in, but the protagonist of that personal experience was... the Los Angeles Lakers.
Prior to that experience, I hadn't really thought about basketball in terms of teams. I always rooted for players. So for the entirety of the 2007-08 season, I was pulling for the Boston Celtics, simply because one of my two favorite players, Kevin Garnett (the other being Allen Iverson), was abruptly thrust into contention. For the entire season, I didn't even think about the Lakers. I was only worried about the San Antonio Spurs, in fact.
And then my life changed.
And abruptly, with KG up 3-1 in the Finals, I found myself rooting for the Lakers.
I was exhausted when they lost.
In the summer, I rested. (And watched the Dark Knight on IMAX).\
This season, I just have this feeling. I don't think the Lakers will win because they have the best player on the planet (they do), or because they have the best bench in basketball (they do), but because I feel they're destined to win, if only to give yours truly a nice little wedding gift.
So does the fact that Andrew Bynum is out alter their destiny?
Only one thing alters destiny: prayer. So get on your knees, Eboy.
I am destined to be happy this summer.
P.S.
I realize I'm merely superimposing narrative onto my personal sporting experiences, but sue me; it's fun. Sports don't matter.
28 comments:
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This again?
OK, OK, I hear what you're saying, Tariq. But I just have this feeling, too. This is completely unbiased. I'm not saying that the Celtics are going to win because they're my team (I don't even know if they will), but I just think that the Lakers aren't what they're cracked up to be. I feel that if the Lakers met the Cavs in a seven game series, Cleveland would come out on top. I just don't think the Lakers can do it. Lakers or Celtics? I can't say that one. This comment was completely unbiased and without intention of an argument.
And just saying: Can we keep the "sports don't matter" thing out of these blogs please? No offense to you Tariq, it just makes me feel like a loser.
Oh, and just because I've wanted to know this for a while.....TAD, what is TADOne a reference to? What's the meaning behind your online name?
Moose, the Lakers are better than the Cavs, period. I won't change my mind.
and true, in life overall, sports don't matter to the world's big decisions and troubles. but they matter to me, because I'm not the world. I'm a simple fool, in love with a game :D
Tariq is Shawn Kemp's smartest kid. Oh yeah, I've been dying to ask Tariq about this. What do you think about Busta Rhymes "Arab Money" song?
personally, I think "arab money" is a horrible attempt to get someone from the south, like me, attention. but back to the realness, I love this riq. you can't stop destiny man because it is already written. while I won't say that it is already written like nas for the lakers, I will say that I have faith in them no matter if bynum is in the equation or not.
B.Long:
Busta's song is too generic to be offensive, really. It's like...yawn. Plus, Bling bling is so turn of the century, isn't it?
Actually, "Arabs" are pretty poor per capita. People in Egypt, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon aren't particularly affluent on average. It's only in the Gulf countries where oil is a major source of revenue that you find "Arab money", in countries like Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. And even though citizens in these countries live relatively comfortable lives from a financial standpoint, the vast majority of oil revenue goes into the pockets of princes. So that's why you MAY see a fair amount of young Arab jagoffs spending obscene amounts of money in casinos or nightclubs in LA or Paris: they're spending money which isn't rightfully theirs.
Dang, what an incisive take on a Busta joint!
I'm glad I amused you, Eboy! ;)
Moose: TADOne stands for Tim A. Darga 1. A highly imaginative psuedonym...not.
Moose.....you're incorrect about one of your comments. The Celtics will smash the Lakers too if they meet again in the Finals. Stick with the old man on this.....I'm always right when it counts. Slurper 1 and Slurper 2 should remember the error of their ways from last season when they, you know, guaranteed nothing worth a shit, kind of like the Heat last year.
Damn Riq, thanks for putting my government out for public consumption. Not that i'm wanted or anything. Besides, i've never claimed to be clever...
Thanks for the clarification, Tariq. And Eboy...great to hear your perspective...but I'm scared. On another note, with the Jameer injury, the Magic are officially out of EC contention in my book.
The Lakers are sinking quick. They need to start dominating.
Nice post. I put one up a lil while ago in a similar vein, check it out when you can and let me know what you think.
http://double-technical.blogspot.com/
they most certainly do not have the best front office 'riq. Yall give away Vlad Rad (who had 21 points last night) FOR ADAM FREAKIN MORRISON. Mitch must be a sucker for trading Laker-role players-turned contributors on other teams for pure trash (see Caron Butler for Kwame Brown) or we just raped yall. Either way...HA
BET:
Yeah, the Kwame-for-Caron trade was a tragedy. Imagine if Tuff Juice were still a Laker!
However, the Vlad Rad trade was made because the Lakers' front office wanted to shed his salary, not because they were so enamored with Adam Morrison's play. I doubt Morrison will see any significant playing time.
In other words, they traded Vlad Rad for $8 million, not for Adam Morrison.
well i am just saying:
Radmanovic has hit 8 threes in the last 2 games.
Morrison has hit 8 threes in the last 31 games.
well i am just saying:
Radmanovic has hit 8 threes in the last 2 games.
Morrison has hit 8 threes in the last 31 games.
double post!
double post!
Again!!!
Again!!!
Again!!!
BET:
I don't think anyone, except maybe for a syphilis-infected monkey, would say that Adam Morrison is better than Vlad Rad. Morrison could very well be the worst player in the NBA.
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