Ok I admit it, I am having an affair and my wife knows. This love affair started at six years old when I played my first game of organized basketball. As you may know, I was a multi-sport athlete all the way up through college. I have been asked more times than I can remember whether I like football, basketball or baseball the best. I always gave the diplomatic answer that I liked them all for various reasons, but deep down I knew basketball had the edge. Why did I play them all you ask? Because no matter how much I loved basketball, I loved competing even more. I am a relentless competitor and like to win. I figured if I was good enough to compete, why would I not play. Ultimately as my college career came to an end, a choice had to be made and on to hoops it was.
While this love affair has been going on for years, I can remember exactly when I realized for myself that I was addicted. It didn't happen while cutting down the nets at the ACC championship or on a private plane in the NBA. It hit me on a normal January morning at 6:00 am as I sat in the Sioux Falls, SD airport while playing in the CBA with the Idaho Stampede. I was in the middle of nowhere with a foot of snow on the ground, waiting to jump on a tiny plane to play a game later that day in Grand Rapids. We were delayed and waiting for the snow to clear. As I looked around at my teammates sprawled out and asleep on the floor of the terminal, I asked myself "Why are you doing this?" And the answer came as clear as I am typing right now: "You are getting paid to compete, what could be better!"
Like any passionate affair there have been many highs and lows, triumphs and disappointments. But no matter what, the game was always there for me. There is something reassuring and almost spiritual about being in the gym all alone, sweat soaked and nothing but the sound of the ball bouncing. Fortunately for me the real love of my life for the last 26 years, my wife Tammy, is a competitor too. She has been there to cheer during the victories but more importantly, to pick me up when the game has let me down. So I have some advice for all you young basketball junkies out there looking for love. If she will rebound for you on Friday night, she is a keeper.
While this love affair has been going on for years, I can remember exactly when I realized for myself that I was addicted. It didn't happen while cutting down the nets at the ACC championship or on a private plane in the NBA. It hit me on a normal January morning at 6:00 am as I sat in the Sioux Falls, SD airport while playing in the CBA with the Idaho Stampede. I was in the middle of nowhere with a foot of snow on the ground, waiting to jump on a tiny plane to play a game later that day in Grand Rapids. We were delayed and waiting for the snow to clear. As I looked around at my teammates sprawled out and asleep on the floor of the terminal, I asked myself "Why are you doing this?" And the answer came as clear as I am typing right now: "You are getting paid to compete, what could be better!"
Like any passionate affair there have been many highs and lows, triumphs and disappointments. But no matter what, the game was always there for me. There is something reassuring and almost spiritual about being in the gym all alone, sweat soaked and nothing but the sound of the ball bouncing. Fortunately for me the real love of my life for the last 26 years, my wife Tammy, is a competitor too. She has been there to cheer during the victories but more importantly, to pick me up when the game has let me down. So I have some advice for all you young basketball junkies out there looking for love. If she will rebound for you on Friday night, she is a keeper.
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