When It Hurts

The true test of love is pain. If you love something, it will hurt when it is threatened or lost. This is never more true (exaggeration) than in sports.

A real fan is not someone who gets excited when his or her team wins. A real fan is someone who feels pain when their team loses. I live in Nashville and because of living in Nashville, I pull for and follow the Titans. I am not a Titans fan. When they lose, I feel nothing.

Yesterday, for the first time in a long time I felt it. (I really can't even remember how long ago it was - I think Sedale Threat and Nick Van Exel were Lakers the last time I felt it.) When the Lakers lost to the Jazz, it hurt. I felt the sting.

I know I've written about this more than anybody cares to read, but it is fascinating and exciting to me to care about the Lakers again. I have gone from wearing purple everyday to wanting the Clippers to be the team in LA and now the love is coming back. I can't deny the pain. It wasn't a deep pain. I didn't want to kick the furniture (see youtube - unaware bruins fan), but it was there. It was like the pinch you get when the needle pierces the skin. Over pretty quickly, but remembered and dreaded.

Not sure I'll ever be here again...



but it's nice to feel the hurt once more.

The Lull

My interest in sports lulls after March Madness. I will find the passion again. The Predators made a sweet and unintimidating little run in the playoffs. That was fun and kept me inspired for a week longer than usual. I'm following the NBA playoffs more than I have in years. I'm rooting for the Lakers, but very intrigued by Chris Paul. On a side note, I'm also intrigued by Ron Paul and am currently reading and recommending his book. LINK

I love baseball and have even been to Wrigley already this year, but I won't truly get into baseball until around July.

Spring basketball practice started last Wednesday and ended yesterday. We're installing a new offense. I've mentioned before on this blog that X's and O's aren't my strength. This is my third year with Drew and I am really excited as I see myself growing in that area. As he drew up the offense, I noticed intricacies of the game I normally wouldn't notice. It is pretty amazing to be growing so rapidly as his assistant. We're going to be very hard to guard next year. I'm hungry for basketball season.

All that to say, Coram Deo Sports has been a little slow lately. I hope to be more inspired in the next few weeks. Hopefully the NBA and NHL will be inspiring.

Something Is Happening to Me

I can't explain it, but I'm finding myself very interested in the Lakers. Old feelings are being rekindled. I ran across this video today. I posted on a Sports Illustrated message board defending Byron Scott's role on the 80's Laker teams. I looked up James Worthy posters on ebay. Something is happening. I think I'm forgiving Kobe. I think I'm cheering for the Lakers. I have wanted them to lose for so many years in a row. It feels so strange. But it is definitely happening.

I Wish I WIsh I Wish (from Sports Illustrated)

Rams owner denies LA move

Posted: Friday April 25, 2008 06:45AM ET

A recent proposal by California billionaire Ed Roski Jr. to build an $800 million stadium near Los Angeles, with the goal of attracting an NFL team, was met with raised eyebrows by concerned Rams fans here. Would Chip Rosenbloom, the team's new owner and a Hollywood filmmaker, shuttle the Rams back to his hometown? Rosenbloom on Thursday sought emphatically to allay such fears. "We have a lease (through the 2015 season), first of all. We have a commitment to St. Louis, secondly. We don't have any interest in moving to Los Angeles," Rosenbloom said at Rams Park. "Is that clear enough?"

Tapping Into Old Hatred - I Didn't Even Know

It turns out I still hate the Celtics. I didn't even know it. I had actually been happy for them throughout this year. They should be good. I like Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, and Paul Pierce.

But yesterday Sports Illustrated arrived and the Celtics shared the cover with the Lakers. Emotions I hadn't felt since 1987 were rekindled. For the first time since Shaq left the Lakers, I wanted them to win the NBA championship. I want them to play the Celtics, and I want them to win.

This is all very new. I may delve in a little more later. I was just told dinner is ready.

Let's go, Kobe.

Did I really just type that?

Top Ten

Wow - You Can't Make This Up

I just returned from the Predators 5-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings. It was without a doubt the most fun game I've been to. The hockey was fun. The fans surrounding me were unparrallelled.

About two minutes into the game I noticed the family of seven sitting behind me - four boys, mom, dad, and a nursing infant. I never actually saw the infant, but dad was holding something swaddled most of the game and occasionally mom would borrow the bundle for a few minutes.

Milk was not the only thing spewing from mommy.

The reason the family initially caught my attention was because their four year old kept yelling, "Detroit sucks!" Mom quickly countered with, "If you say that again we're leaving."

Now, I consider myself extremely blessed to be able to afford a single ticket to the playoff game. This family bought six tickets. The kid knew as well as I did that they weren't going anywhere. So about three seconds later, "Detroit sucks!"

It quieted down for awhile. I think I sensed a look from mom at that point. But then she gave the green light. The Predators weren't shooting the puck, and mom had had enough. She let them know it with a resounding, "Shoot the puck, dammit."

I could feel the giddiness resonate from the boys.

Mom has given up the high ground! Storm the castle! The words that followed are carved into my mind forever. I'm going to spare you. Just believe me, the baby was wincing.

Through all of this, I never saw dad say a word. He just held the baby until feeding time.

I think he was scared.