In many ways, sports are like life. Each game or season brings its share of triumphs and, in the case of really terrible teams, a long string of defeats and misery. It’s probably why so many of us love watching sports. The competition is exciting but we’re also able to identify with the effort and sacrifices made by individual athletes and teams in order to achieve their goals.
My father lived his entire life having never seen the Boston Red Sox or Chicago Cubs win a World Series. He didn’t necessarily like either team but he loved baseball. As a fan of the game, I have no doubt he would’ve welcomed the idea of the Cubs finally hoisting the trophy. Given he was a die hard Yankees fan, he had no problem with Boston living in misery forever, although he probably would’ve conceded their time had come. The point is, generations of baseball fans lived and died with zero championships for either of these teams.
The current NBA finals has the New York Knicks battling the San Antonio Spurs. Basketball crazy New York City hasn’t won a title in over 50 years. The Knicks last title was in 1973, which is the same year the Spurs joined the ABA prior to their inclusion into the NBA in 1976. In stark contrast to the Knicks, the Spurs have won 5 championships in total, with their last one occurring in 2014.
New York City is basketball crazy. I haven’t been in years but the last time I went, there seemed to be a basketball court on every street corner, each one of them packed with players and crowds cheering them on. The fact that the Knicks haven’t brought a championship to a city that’s literally littered with basketballs seems unfathomable to me.
And yet, perhaps that’s the appeal.
Sports, like life, is about longing and reaching for something that we perceive to be bigger and better. Instead of enjoying what we have at that moment, many of us are constantly looking for an upgrade. Whether that’s in the form of a car, house, clothes or vacation destination, we’re looking past our present into a utopian future meant to fulfill our dreams.
Let’s use the Charlotte Hornets as a good example. Since moving to the Charlotte area thirty years ago, I’ve been a fan of the Hornets. As the first pro franchise in the city, the support within the community was unrivaled. Even when they were terrible for the first few years, the Charlotte Coliseum was packed with fans and each game was an event.
The Hornets had a nice season this year but overall, they’ve been one of the worst franchises in the NBA. There’s something to be said about the pain associated with being a fan of a losing team or franchise. You know what to expect and although you’re let down year after year, there’s hope that it will get better. I’m talking to you Jets and Browns fans. I feel your pain.
What happens when that pain subsides? Does the team mean as much to you anymore? There’s a reason people say, “be careful what you wish for, it just might come true.” I’m not saying it’s a bad thing for your favorite lovable loser to win it all; however, reaching the summit after years of struggle can only lead to an inevitable drop.
Dynasties create fans for life and those same fans are clinging to championships from 10, 20 or 30 years ago. Perhaps being a fan of a team like the Hornets makes things a lot less complicated. It also sets realistic expectations while providing a sense of thankfulness for the wins along the way, no matter how small.
It seems to be a pretty good lesson for life.
Another good lesson is to steer clear of being a Jets fan. A loveable loser is one thing but a perennial loser is another thing entirely.
