I have been a National Basketball Association fan for decades now. I can remember when I was young; I would just sit there on a Sunday afternoon and just stare. Stare without any interruption at my family’s television. Watching the greatness of Michael Jordan, who I watched, win 6 Championships.
The rivalry between the Miami Heat and the New York Knicks was one of the greatest series in playoff basketball in the history of the N. B. A. The love of basketball runs deep within me, not just with the sport but for all the other characteristics that it brings.I appreciate how it demonstrates that being a part of a team is crucial. How some people can be leaders and some will have to be role players.
It has been a true influence on my life as well as being a step in me growing up as a man. When you join the United States Army, you extend your family in a sense. You are put into a relationship with young men and women from all corners of the world. Some who I found that are profoundly in love with the sport just as much as I am.
Some who are more loyal to their team than to their own families. The sport of basketball, not only did it change my life, it saved it as well.Now you have read that I said I love the whole team concept of basketball. Not an individual will make any team great.
Although I truly believe that, you have to be able to put in your own spin on the team. Your work ethic, the countless hours in the gym, the millions of free throws, the thousands of jump shots, all in order to elevate your team and give them that much more of a chance to win. This is all done by drive and determination, the fact that you will have that type of character to know you have to do this, you want to do this, and I need to do this.I love that the game teaches a young person this early on in there young life. This is something that everyone should learn and experience in my opinion. I personally have spent countless hours in the gym during my high school years.
I believe that if I hadn’t committed to the sport. I would have been another statistic in city. I would have been perpetuating to the cycle of a young Hispanic youth, just as my brothers and cousins had. I wasn’t going to let that happen, not to me. I love the game and had more respect for it than to wash it all down the drain.
I learned from it, it taught me more than what I expected. What I also learned as that it can be a social tool as well. Everyone has their favorite team growing up. Mine was the San Antonio Spurs, still are.
Even to this day I find myself arguing with other soldiers about the dynasty that the Spurs are. If you think about it, they truly are. They have 4 Championships in the National Basket Ball association. They have 3 future Hall of Famers on the team now.
Not to mention David Robinson who is currently retired and did so while winning a championship.I argue this point until I’m blue in the face with everyone. I actually like to debate about this topic, it lets me interact with the younger generation about the definition of greatness. I get an in depth perception into a young mind. I get to try to understand what they are perceiving in this life.
It is sometimes crazy, but most of the time very insightful. I like to weigh that a great player isn’t just measured by how many rings they own, but what they have accomplished and given to the game.The younger generations like to tell me that it is measured by shoe deals and endorsements. This is where I say” young man, it has now and will always be a game of buckets”. The game has will always be a part of my life. When I have kids, I would want them to share in this love I have for it.
The not so hidden message I have found in it. The life lessons learned from it, the good as well as the bad. You can learn a lot from basketball, you just have to listen to the game.
