Boston: Get Ready for an A** Woopin'
By: Mark Joyner
First let me say, I love the city of Boston.
I spent a few months there early in my Army career getting some rather spooky and "bad a**" training in the wily ways of military intelligence. Every weekend I'd go hang out with the intellectuals in Harvard Yard.
I grew to love it and still do.
After I resigned my commission in the Army, I moved to Los Angeles and lived there during the famous "threepeat" - 3 NBA Finals victories in a row for the L.A. Lakers.
I was there to watch the amazing Kobe/Shaq dynamic at its peak, and there when their relationship disintegrated into rivalry.
I later met Shaq face to face and was awestruck by the obvious humility and class of this giant man.
After the despair of 9/11 that all of us felt in America (even clear on the "other" coast) the Finals gave L.A. a renewed sense of hope. You could literally see the city reawakening before your eyes as we inched closer to cinching up the threepeat.
I remember watching the 76ers, battle-worn with almost every key player injured, give the Lakers their best in 2001. We won, but everyone left with an immense respect for "Philly" and the mighty Iverson.
I remember watching and emulating the indomitable Phil Jackson marshall the Lakers to each victory, learning a little more about manhood and leadership along the way.
All this from basketball?
Yes, all from basketball.
Part of the game is also blustery talk about whoopin' the other team's behind.
To some this may look stupid. I get it. Macho men pounding chests. It just doesn't look good.
But to those who find basketball a source of inspiration ...
To those who see basketball as an art form that puts on display the greatness of the human spirit ...
The blustery talk is just a part of the dance.
So, nothing personal Boston, but we're gonna pound you into the dirt.
Comments
• Celtics have won 16 championships, most of any NBA franchise. Their last title came in 1985-86. Lakers have won 14 overall including three-in-a-row from 2000-02.
• Lakers and Celtics have met 10 times in the Finals, most recently in 1986-87, a 4-2 Lakers win.
• Red Auerbach won 9 titles as a coach, tied for most all-time with current Lakers coach Phil Jackson.
i'm affraid he"s right with that last one!
(damn, i'm a Lakers fan to)
This is Kobe's series to lose. Dont worry about game 1. He'll stick it to them in Game 2.
I was a die-hard Celtics fan in the Byrd/Ange/Parish days but have not felt the same since.
Why waste so much time glorifying sports stars/teams?
Do they really create more values for the world than Market Businesses do?
Here's the scoop from a b-ball player's point of view.
Growing up with this amazing game all my life - since
like 5 years old all the way into my 6-year stint as
a Cryptologist in the Navy - I've come to realize
one simple, yet timeless truth:
The 6th man (aka - "the bench" - yes, the reference
can encompass the entire cast of non-starters) is
what wins or loses games, more often than not.
With that said, here's some facts:
Lakers- young bench - vujacic, farmar, ariza, turiaf and etc
Celtics- experience and old- cassel, house, posey, brown,
davis and etc
Which is better???
L.A's bench is much better. Younger, faster, deeper, more durable.
Doc doesn't yet trust his bench in the playoffs. If the Lakers can
get the "Big 3" in serious foul trouble, then the Doc (Boston)
is in trouble.
Sorry, Mark, but I don't care one way or the other about basketball. Tennis, yes. Hockey, sometimes (but not as much since all they seem to do now is beat each other up instead of play when it USED to be evenly matched). World football (meaning soccer in this country) decidedly. Australian Rules Football -- man, that makes American sports look like kiddie games. So you and Bean rag each other as much as you want; I got no dog in this fight.
Cheers (wait, wasn't that a bar in Boston?)
Kyle
First of all, Mark, it's called an A** Whuppin', second, Kobe Bryant has great talent but no class, and if Manu Ginobili was healthy, the Lakers wouldn't be in the finals, especially after the blown foul call on Barry in San Antonio in Game 4.
Case closed!
Mark:
I'm not an avid NBA fan, but I can certainly relate to your winning aspirations and the sensationalism a great team can create.
I'm from the mid-west and can remember the Piston's good years in the early 90's. Dennis Rodman created some fan-loving showmanship, both on and off the court. A lot of wins during those years weren't pretty, but they had style.
Dennis liked to "dress for the press!" Sometimes he portrayed himself as a fashion cross-over between Elton John and Mr. "T;" yet, he even rode a Harley! The Piston's strategy then: let Dennis use glitter as the element of surprise.
Now that was kickin' butt - Rodman style!
I don't have a ability to say about basketball. But I'm familer with Chicago Bulls.
I love soccer which is more exciting(just my guess),and entertaining.
I am a Manchester United fan.
Sport is not wasting our time.
All the genius guys can make benefit from any fields they like.NBA,Premier League,Laliga,golf or any kind of sport can give not only entertaining also can make huge benefits.Depends on ..........
Moe Hlaing
12m3333333@gmail.com
We are at war and the economy is in dire situation and you guys are fixating on basketball??? Ok, I am from the other planet so I don't get it
:-) But I did learn from something at my son's basketball game: if he didn't practice, he won't perform well. If he felt like a loser, he will lose. And the guys who quickly forget that they missed their last throw perform better than those who are timid about their previous failure. Yeah, I guess I learn something from the game too, even though after a while it becomes boring to see men fight for the ball just to bring it back and forth to the basket. I wonder if they spent those energy in a lab...they might have discovered a solar-powered car.
Ok...have fun...but after the basketball season, you guys better think of something that can reduce the price of gasoline :-)
Mark....In Iraq currenty and no TV but I have to cover your 6 brother. Besides I'm from California. Barry Goss is right on. Bench is better and more durable. Starters are scrappers and won't cave in as long as they stay focused. Good rumble but at the wire it's Lakers
Game 1 was a fluke, Boston had to win that game. I think the Lakers will take Game 2 easily, and close out the "Big Three" in 5 games. I don't think the series gets back to Boston.
It all comes down to the inspiration the players receive from their coach. If all players' egos can be set aside, the team with the best coach wins. Who cares if it's xyz from who-cares-where?!?!
Phil Jackson is The Man, and results will speak more loudly than pre-game sand-kicking. Watch and see. This is all psychological, regardless of what you the individual might believe, and the athletes are the tabula rasa on which the underlying thoughts (context of the competition, or the come-from of the team)show up quite obviously. All trash-talkin' aside, the superior man will win. Set aside ego, stay present, give all, play for the vision/glory of the team, and the outcome is assured. Wanna bet?
There is no disbute...life
is all around us...all things are good...positive action..gets positive results. The politics...its
always politics. Find something you love. enjoying, it expressing it,
these things are all good. You don't need to agree, you just need to respect that you may feel differently than someone else.
How Bout Those Celtics!
i do not care sorry
P.......lease
I think the laker will lose this year.
Well I have read what you both have to say about "Basketball!" and really don't understand what all the fuss is about???? If you lived and England (As I do) then you would be talking about REAL sport "Football" "Cricket" even "Rugby" Union or League. Most of what you have to say is about "The Bench" What!???? Do you mean substitutes people who come on when someone is injured, cut, unable to play on or just having a bad game. Go for it guys its good to have internal battles anyway it keeps you on your toes. H
It is one thing to talk of bulls when outside Thee Arena. It is another when facing "WON" on Thee Sand.
Loosely 'interpreted and paraphrased' from a Spanish proverb.
I pretty much understand that sports teams bring a "community" together in a way no other phenomenon can (except something like 911).
And I love to see a company having fun.
Here's my dilemma - these die hard fans pay hundreds of dollars to see one game then protest when teachers get a raise.
Mark, I'd love to help you post some blogs about the great things teachers are doing everywhere in our great country. You wouldn't be writing any of this if it weren't for a teacher - nor would I.
Forget basketball, I get the same feelings from hockey. LET'S GO (next season) PENS!
Jazz, should of been there !
Micheal
Hey dreamer, cute story about the threepeat. When you get to an elevenpeat give us a call in Boston at 1 800 NBA Champs, or use the cell phone 1 800 NBA APEX.
This will come down to who wins the �war of wills�. If it is �show time� versus the �Brown Bag guys� I am with the Celts.
I understand that you did some time in the cranial atmosphere of military intelligence at Harvard. That is the show time crowd.
Me, I am old Air Mobile/Air Assault. So you will �pound us into the dirt�? How about if we save you the trip? We are coming for you.
Be advised purple is a base color of a deep bruise. Since you support the team from LALA land you may be happy that what is left of your body will be color coordinated with your uniforms.
Game on tough guy.
I do enjoy sports; however in the present society to see more info on those around the world who need our help from starvation, droughts, cyclone, war and the suffering of the CHILDREN, sports has become a very, very, very low priority.
Sorry guys basketball play-offs are not important here.
I would like to see the series match the media hype
and become a classic like many of the past Lakers-Celtics series. LA in seven.
Personally, I have never been a great fan of sports, have nothing against them except that they seem to be one of the great sedatives for the masses, in the US. Consider all of the time, effort and money that is devoted to sports, apply it to the ever so serious problems facing the world,
humanity and closer to home the constant loss of freedom. What would be the outcome?
I think we all know the probability of this.
Wow...Patricia....lighten up. Just because we talk sports doesn't mean we're against world peace...Sports are a refuge for many from the constant struggles we all deal with...from our families and communities and work and volunteering. All worry and no fun makes no sense.
AS I enjoy watching the lakers play, the lakers have not got a chance to beat boston, Kobe is not enough for boston. I do fell that the best 2 teams are in the finals, and you will see hope in game 2 when the lakers win, but your hope will be destroyed when the celtics take game 3 and 4 away in LA, then the lakers will win game 5 with a new hope and lead most of game 6 however the celtics will pull it out and win the series 4 - 2.
Sorry to all the lakers fans, this won't be your year either.
I think all sports are important, we need some different things to distract us from all the bad out there in the world.
We can't hang in the gloom all the time,we need to release tension and that is a good way to do it.
Wonderful blueprint,Mark......it's really enjoineable!
Who's right? Loaded question, don't you think? I think its wasted time to bicker, why not wager something PRICELESS on either side. This will then cause both of you to sweat the words you've posted and reflect positively.
If you meet the Buddha in the lane, feed him the ball.
-Phil Jackson
Hi Mark,
Sorry, but I don't as a rule watch any professional sports games, b-ball,v-ball, f-ball,soccer, tennis, etc. I'm not that much into any of the professional or college sports. I watch sports that my grandchildren, and eventually, great-grandchildren. and If I get a chance I will watch My kids play whatever games they re into. Mostly V-ball, that's VOLLEYBALL to you, Mark. So in answer to your question, It makes no heck of a difference to me who wins. Lakers or Celtics.
Boston to win in 6, but if they don't, it's because they won't play as a team.
Mark, being from Seattle, but now in Portland, I know the effects of the LA BBALL times, Past, Present, and Future. I have alot of friends who feel the same, and they see it too!
Guess What?
.
..
...
The new team to watch out for is the Portland TrailBlazers
Oh yeah, they even got my buddy, Nate McMillian as coach,
Boston, Boston, Boston...Now living in California....From Rhode Island, must look to the house of the rising sun, and that would be east...Boston, Boston, Boston.
Best team won :)
"YAY Celtics!" Awesome. Boston Rules OK!
They 'drained the Lake'!
How does that Crow taste? Given the regular collapse of the Lakers offense and their non-existent defense the ending was inevitable.