Yesterday was the official tip off for the N.B.A. N.B.A.? What is that? Nigerian Bratwurst Artisans? No Big Asses? Normal Brown Artichokes? Nasty Bitches Academy? Well, that last one is the alma mater of many an ex-girlfriend. No, it's none of them. It's the National Basketball Association, punks. You knew that though, didn't you? I told you, you're getting smarter and smarter the more you read my daily musings. Go ahead. Test it out. I'll be seeing you at Mensa meetings in no time. And if you don't know what Mensa is, then you are not worthy enough yet.
"Basketball is my favorite sport. I love the way they dribble up and down the court." Not the finest rap lyrics ever, but Kurtis Blow was just giving some props to the sport back in the 80's. Still, he had a point. I do so like how they dribble up and down that court. I played all in my youth. Oh yes, you can feel it. We're going back in time, kids. Hold on!
I started playing ball when I was 4. Well, then it was just playing with a ball, not really anything else. By the time I was 6 or 7, I was playing regularly. We wuz poor and my moms sent my big bro and I to The Boy's Club during the summer. She'd drop us off early in the morning, go to work and come pick us up after 5. Long, fun days. My brother and I were the only 2 Filipino's. Everyone else was of the African American descent. And one white dude. We were a family. We took care of each other and I always had my back covered. No one screwed with me when I had Big Rog as my Black Big Brother! I started playing on the playground and the Boy's Club court early. Then, they started doing a league and moms joined me up! 
Check it...I was point guard at 8 years old! I was top scorer as well. Oh yeah, I could ball. I continued to play almost every day. On my own after school. Giving myself goals to make a certain amount each day. I'd stay there until night fall and get in trouble with moms quite often. "I'm trying to be like Dr. J!", I would cry. She would reply, "You're gonna be like Dr. Dead if you don't watch it!" Not the most clever with the retorts, but she got the point across. I never thought of playing in school, then one day during gym in 7th grade, we were playing ball and I was rocking! The coach of the 7th grade team approached me and asked me to come play for the team. Moms was against school teams, but would let me play in leagues outside of school. Never quite got that logic. But, with much coaxing from the coach and myself, I got to play.
The season had already started and the team was miserable. After 2 games I was starting as point guard. Upsetting the starter who often cried like a little bitch on the bench when he couldn't play. But, I couldn't find my mojo. I had lost my game. I was still a mad passer and could call out plays and was the top assist man. I just couldn't score. I rarely shot. I remember my first point was a free throw. A FREE THROW! What the hell happened to me? All I could chalk it up to was that I was used to playing street ball and all these new fangled rules were getting in the way. The only foul on the streets was actually punching, kicking or tackling someone on purpose. You could shove all you want. Take shots all you want. Whatever. Had I played my style, I might have taken more shots on my own, but I had to follow the coach's playbook. Curse him! He ruined my career! We ended up winning about 2 games that season. 8th grade, I was out with an injury, but then got back to playing in 9th grade. I was not big on the growing and my coach was a dick. He recruited tall boys just because they were tall. Some had no skills at all. I was bench sitting often and when I did get to play, it was at little amounts of time. For some reason, I scored a lot. Probably because I was so pissed at the coach that I would go out and play my style. And then get benched for leading a comeback because I didn't use his plays. What an ass. By 10th grade, I realized I probably wouldn't be playing much since I wasn't growing much. So, I just contented myself to playing after school with friends. My N.B.A. career was over before it started. Why did my frickin brother get to be 6'? I was better than him and I could have used the height! Damn you Gregor Mendel and your Punnett Squares!
Which brings us back to the N.B.A. See how I do that? Right back to where I started! Season opener. I followed a lot of teams as a kid and loved different players. I never really had a home team.
Then, I moved to New York City in '94. I had been watching the Knicks before that and really liked the team and coach Pat Riley. '94 was the year they went to the finals and lost in game 7 to Houston. It was that close. Even though they broke my heart right off the bat, I stuck with them like that ex-girlfriend that knows how to get you going, but continually disappoints you. They officially became my team. I go to games, I got jerseys, I know players, etc. I love going to games, but don't get the fans who boo their own team. What is that? Let me see you get YOUR fat ass out there and try to drive past Shaq! Shut up and eat your hot dog, ya moron! Sure, they can suck and it's frustrating to watch. But, they are still better than you! I had high hopes when Isaiah Thomas took over, but he hasn't made the best choices in players either. We'll see how this season goes.
Oh, our season opener? We lost to Boston in over time. Hey! At least we got them to over time! They got big stars on that team. Our biggest name is still Stephon Marbury. And new coach Larry Brown. I gots high hopes for you boys! Don't let me down! Again. We're only 0-1. *sigh*
If I wasn't getting old and fat and injured, I'd take your ass to the hole and drop the rock on you! Take you to flight school and kick you off at the first floor. Show you how to jam, suckas! I guess we'll never know. Unless you want to meet at the park for some one on one. Play to 15. 1 point per basket. Half court. Bring it.
Mini-Aquino! That is some old school uniform. And your hair style is kickin'!
Posted by: Joe | November 08, 2005 at 09:49 AM