More Than a Sport: How Basketball Shaped Me

 

 

 

More Than a Sport: How Basketball Shaped Me

 

I knew what basketball was as a very young kid. I knew the names of Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson because they were everywhere. My upbringing did not consist of any sports. My dad wasn’t into athletics and thats okay..but that didn’t stop me from falling in love with the game of basketball. I was pretty young when I caught my first game on TV. I don’t know what it was. Maybe it was the pace, athleticism, dunks, or maybe it was the sound of the ball barely grazing the net. Basketball was beautiful and I fell hard for it.

 

 

 

Random Wednesday

 

Just about every Wednesday night, my family would go to a church that was across a dirt field from the house. Before we left on this particular night, I was flipping through the channels and came across KCAL 9. I’m from California and this Los Angeles based channel had a Lakers game going. I randomly made the decision to sit there and watch as everyone was getting ready for church. Both eyes were glued to the TV. I don’t remember who they were playing, but I think they lost. The Lakers losing didn’t matter though.. The broadcast on KCAL9 showed the upcoming schedule and I took a mental note and never looked back.

 

 

 

The 93-94 Los Angeles Lakers

 

I had zero influence from anyone as far as my fandom for the Lakers. Being a Lakers fan was pretty organic. The Lakers had a losing record that year, but I’m a loyalist to a fault. Chic Hearn and Stu Lantz called the games and it was a great time to be alive. I remember Elden Campbell, Doug Christie, Vlade Divac, Anthony Peeler, and my favorite player Nick “the quick” Van Exel. Despite this team going going 33-49, they were my team. Van Exel’s style of play was crafty. His handle and lay-up package was top notch, but what I really enjoyed was his fearless style of play. Nick Van Exel was not afraid to take the last shot or make “the play” happen.

 

 

 

All About The Game

 

I was about 9 when the obsession started. My parents eventually bought me a basketball and I’m sure I drove my dad crazy practicing my dribbling. Everyday I would play at school and later on, they bought a hoop that my dad attached to a square piece of plywood above the garage. My friend joined the YMCA youth league and my mom also got me in. That was the first time playing team ball. Again, everyday for at least a couple of hours, I was outside practicing basketball (insert Allen Iverson). During the summers, my cousin and I would walk to a nearby school and play 1v1 and he would beat me most of the time until one day, he didn’t.

By this point, I was collecting basketball cards and reading stat lines. I had a good grasp on the game. The next basketball team I played on was for my school through the Boys and Girls Club and this is where I felt that I was better than most in my age group. A couple high school coaches had come to my games and I was getting better everyday. I truly loved the game and the grind of getting better. I would play for a couple of AAU teams but when I got to high school, I went through a phase of severe anxiety which affected my grades. The poor grades would mean I couldn’t play for my school, but I was still putting in some work. Looking back, I get sad about it.

 

 

 

Life Changes Without Realizing It

 

My whole life and personality was about basketball. Without experiencing that love for basketball, I don’t know what kind of person I would of ended up being. The game helped bring me out of my shell. Basketball taught me how to dedicate, motivate, compete, work, and socialize. Being around hoops wasn’t just about putting the ball through the basket for me. And as much as I loved seeing the ball hit net or locking someone up, it gave me purpose. I love and appreciate it to this day. Life happens and we work jobs and develop other responsibilities and I’m not as good or as young as I once was, but the love and jumper never dies.

I hope that everyone had something they could lean on as they grew up. What was your hobby that helped you grow as a person or help shape you? Let me know in the comments.