What a Difference a Freakishly Long, Ungodly Talented, Defensive Wizard of a Man Makes
By CHUCK KLOSTERMAN
New York Times
There are many things that N.B.A. players excel at doing. Running, Jumping, Selling shoes. At these specific skill sets, N.B.A. players rank among the world’s elite. But there are other things that N.B.A. players consistently struggle with, and talking about their feelings is one of them. This should not be surprising: there is not a lot of motivation for professional basketball players to explain the texture of their existence. Self-actualization does not help you get an offensive rebound. In fact, it’s possible that pondering the nature of one’s life might be detrimental to success in the N.B.A.; happiness (or the lack thereof) is just one more thing that can shut you down.
I am reminded of this as I sit on a bench with Rajon Rondo and Leon Powe, two members of a Boston Celtics team that, as of this moment in late January, sustains the best record in the league. Afternoon practice has just concluded. Rondo is the club’s point guard; Powe is an undersize power forward who logs about 10 minutes of playing time on any given night. Their lives, obviously, appear wonderful: they play for the league’s most storied franchise, they rarely lose (their 30-4 start tied a team record and was the fourth best in league history) and they’re making lots of money while doing so. It is a dream scenario.
Yet just one year ago, these two were mired in the N.B.A. equivalent of a night tremor. During this same juncture last season, the Celtics were in the midst of an 18-game losing streak. They finished the year 24-58.
(Continued here.)
New York Times
There are many things that N.B.A. players excel at doing. Running, Jumping, Selling shoes. At these specific skill sets, N.B.A. players rank among the world’s elite. But there are other things that N.B.A. players consistently struggle with, and talking about their feelings is one of them. This should not be surprising: there is not a lot of motivation for professional basketball players to explain the texture of their existence. Self-actualization does not help you get an offensive rebound. In fact, it’s possible that pondering the nature of one’s life might be detrimental to success in the N.B.A.; happiness (or the lack thereof) is just one more thing that can shut you down.
I am reminded of this as I sit on a bench with Rajon Rondo and Leon Powe, two members of a Boston Celtics team that, as of this moment in late January, sustains the best record in the league. Afternoon practice has just concluded. Rondo is the club’s point guard; Powe is an undersize power forward who logs about 10 minutes of playing time on any given night. Their lives, obviously, appear wonderful: they play for the league’s most storied franchise, they rarely lose (their 30-4 start tied a team record and was the fourth best in league history) and they’re making lots of money while doing so. It is a dream scenario.
Yet just one year ago, these two were mired in the N.B.A. equivalent of a night tremor. During this same juncture last season, the Celtics were in the midst of an 18-game losing streak. They finished the year 24-58.
(Continued here.)
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