RE: Misc.

["Sampath, Venkatesh" <Venkatesh.Sampath@microcell.ca>]

To answer one of your earlier questions, I do play organised sport
(tennis - doubles as well as singles). As a youngster, I used to play a
different type of organised called cricket - each team had 11 players on
it. I don't really see what that has to do with Walker's trash talking,
other than the fact that if one of your team-mates indulges in
trash-talking, it makes you squirm. Yes, I can well believe that Mercer
squirms when he sees Walker's wiggle and Walker's trash-talk. 

Personally, I don't see any reason to push your superiority down your
opponent's throat. If you win on a given day, fine. It doesn't make you
a superior human being, however. You Cecil, and I (and Dorine and
everyone else on this list who hates trash-talking) belong to a
different mentality (perhaps a different generation). For example, at
tennis, when my opponent makes a good shot, I applaud it. I am
sufficiently confident of my manhood that I don't see my opponent's
calibre and quality of play as a threat to it. 

Let me ask you a simple question - how many of the home team's fans are
willing to applaud when the visting team makes a good play? (In cricket,
they still do). I agree you want to see your team win, but does that
negate the quality of play your opponent brings to the court? In fact,
it is this very quality that forces you to improve your game. Why the
devil, therefore, can't you appreciate it? 

Anyways, I am beginning to preach. 'Nuff said.

venkat


>----------
>From: 	Cecil Wright[SMTP:cecil@hfx.andara.com]
>Sent: 	02 March 1998 23:19
>To: 	Shailendra K. Mishra; celtics@igtc.com; dsbubar@mail.hac.com
>Subject: 	Re: Misc.
>
>But all it does in most cases is serve as ammunition for the opponents.  I
>realize that this is a new breed of athlete, but defending his wiggling is
>hard for me.  My coaches, back in the dark ages I guess, the 70's, would
>never allow it.  I do not allow it on my teams.  Instead I believe in the
>principle of praising and showing the utmost respect for the opposition,
>never giving them the chance to use anything we say or do as a motivating
>tool.
>
>Yes you see that euphoria in other players like those you've mentioned, but
>there are plenty of stars who don't rant around like a nut after a nice
>play.  Men like David Robinson, Vin Baker, Grant Hill, Steve Smith, Tim
>Duncan, Hakeem, Drexler, Sabonis, Smits, Mullin and Stockton are doing just
>fine.
>
>There is nothing wrong with a dash of individuality, but I guess it's the
>brashness, when we haven't proven that we can back it up which should be
>discouraged IMO.
>
>Cecil
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Shailendra K. Mishra <skmishra@dlsun660.us.oracle.com>
>To: skmishra@dlsun660.us.oracle.com <skmishra@dlsun660.us.oracle.com>;
>celtics@igtc.COM <celtics@igtc.COM>; dsbubar@mail.hac.com
><dsbubar@mail.hac.com>; cecil@hfx.andara.com <cecil@hfx.andara.com>
>Date: Tuesday, March 03, 1998 12:05 AM
>Subject: Re: Misc.
>
>
>>> From cecil@hfx.andara.com Mon Mar  2 18:54:04 1998
>>
>>>
>>> I'd like to ask how many readers on this list have played any organized
>>> sport?  Of those who have, explain how it feels to have the showboater
>rile
>>> up an entire team with silly gyrations and actions, which serve no useful
>>> purpose.
>>
>>It does rile up another team but it's very much a part of today's game. It
>is
>>there, when Shaq has a monster dunk or when Deion or Hanks have an
>interception
>>or when Jordan hits a buzzer beater etc.
>>
>>                                     - Mishra
>>
>
>