RE: Misc.

[D Parker <danp@town.ipswich.ma.us>]

On Tue, 3 Mar 1998, Sampath, Venkatesh wrote:

> 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? 

Ah, good point.  I love watching Arvidas Sabonis of the Trailblazers
because of his incredible feel for the game.  Even against the Celtics I
appreciate his court sense and good passing.

Bill Russell had similar sentiments (about appreciating your opponent,
not about Sabonis).  In an interview with him and Wilt Chamberlain, 
Russell said something along the lines of his victories were only
meaningful because of the quality of the opponent (i.e. Chamberlain).  If
he had won 11 championships against high school kids, who would care?

Dan



> 
> 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
> >>
> >
> >
>