The Basketball Life and the Life
Disclaimer: Long post. There. I said it.
I'm not going to lie, Slam Dunk has started "it" for me. I am well aware, though, that the sport is huge in my family. (Heck, if that poster of Robert Jaworski back in the wall of our old house where I grew up is not much of a proof then I am at a lost) And every Filipino family, I believe. (Though of course, it varies on the level of interest.) We just love basketball. Football maybe slowly becoming a household name these days but with the easy access of resources, and because courts are practically everywhere, it still is basketball (for me). And who could resist an anime show featuring one interesting sport, right?
Flashback: My aunts love Vince Hizon back then so I grew up liking The Prince. He's really good but at some point, a kid is a kid and basketball is no biggies. It just doesn't make any sense to me then. I even get pissed whenever they would watch basketball on TV and I want my cartoons (I miss those times when they still show cartoons at night. Do you still remember? And sleeping at 8pm is already sleeping late. Heh.) It wasn't until I was on high school that I felt like, I want someone whom I can call mine. Nooooo it's not what you think. What I mean to say is that I want to find a baller whom I would admire not because of others' influences but because I think he's the best.
Then came the day when I saw this guy (on TV) and he runs so fast, he handles the ball well (man, he's a pointguard), he drives, spectacular drives. The way he passes the ball.. (it's called assist, and I don't even know that before lol). I can only see his rear side whenever he runs and stupidly, I could not read what it says. I watched a little closer and found out his perfectly toned muscles and the looks aren't even bad. He's dashing, even. Later that night, I learned his name and it was..
Jayjay Helterbrand.
That's when I have made up my mind... I love this game.
The fangirl is born.
I started to learn the game. The rules. Every single thing about it because I'm not into spending time about something that I don't really understand. Which is one of the reasons why I don't really get hooked with kPop (or maybe I'm just to lazy to pay that much of an attention to it). (Not to the point of greatness but) I even played the game.
Also, since Ginebra is a local club, I get the chance to go to their practices and even watch the ballgames live.
As a teen, we all went into a series of certain addiction, be it some flings/relationship, the untouchables (music/arts); to a certain fandom. No matter what it is, It has helped shape us to be who we are now. Basketball (sports) is one. Music is another. And books and movies too, too. (which gives me another blog post idea! Hah!). And we never really lose that interest while growing up. We just learn to sort out our priorities and focus on life more.
So having educated of the game, I learned that being the pointguard is one, if not the most difficult position inside the court. Not only are you expected to always deliver long range shots and provide a good screen or a drive, you must also orchestrate a play and pass and hold the ball real well. They are even coined as the extension of the coach on the court. I am pretty amazed. It may also be apparent how most of my favourites are actually pointguards.
Jayjay is one. And even then, I knew Jayjay is "the one". Even more so today that he is a changed man. ( A party animal no more, he's now a man of faith in Christ), all for the best.
As for the NBA, I have been a San Antonio Spurs fan ever since I laid my eyes on Tony Parker, also a pointguard. But seriously, it's not just about the beautiful face, but what's made me like him is his and Tim Duncan's powerful team up. Loved the two of them together. And they actually are very effective together. The Spurs maybe a boring team to some because of the way the team play -- they are pretty low-profiled (despite having superstars) and conventional but you see, that to me is what makes them the best team that is out there. And mind you, they may not create much buzz but they are constantly on the top of the teams' list, at least on the West, in the past few years.
Ginebra and Jayjay taught me to never say die and to give it your all, always. To value the love and support that you are getting from the people around you. To trust God and let Him orchestrate His best plays, on the court and in your life.
The Spurs made me realize that a team doesn't need to have superstars to score 50 plus points a game nor do trash talking with the opponents on and off the court; a team doesn't need to be flashy. They just have to go out there and play well. Played darn well, they did. And they taught me to stay humble and fight the battle, with class and respect.
A few years back, they both made it to the Finals and bagged the championship on the same year/conference on their respective leagues. I know, right? There's just too much feels when both your favourite teams are in it to win it and actually have won it.
And even though they both share the same fate on their respective Finals series this year (with the Spurs bowing to the Heat on a heart-pounding Game 7 and Ginebra, well, being swept by the Aces, a heartbreaking 4-0), nothing's ever going to change -- I love the game, and I'll continue to support these two.
Through and through.
XXX
ⓒ Photo credits to whoever owns it. I just cannot help but admire its beauty and of how it has captured these priceless moments of two of my favourite tandems in their respective leagues. I own nothing but the grid edit, and my words.
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld
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