The Beauty and Curse of Sports
- Myles Gasmin
- Mar 22, 2019
- 2 min read
Sports is a beautiful part of life. It's generally seen as an escape from reality and a stress reliever. My love for sports, basketball in particular, is so deep that my dream is to make a career out of it. Basketball fulfills this role for me; it's my safe haven where no matter what's going on in my life, it has the power to remind me of how truly blessed I am to be able to be apart of it.
It all started with one man who graced my television screen approximately 15 years ago: Kobe Bean Bryant.
As a young child, I may not have been able to completely understand everything I encountered nor explain it. I sure as hell could recognize beauty just by seeing it though. When I first started to really consume basketball, Kobe was at the genesis. The way he played the game and carried himself was extremely captivating. He was everything I wanted to be growing up, but he wasn't perfect. Guilty or not, an accusation of this nature cannot be overlooked. This incident was the first of many unpleasant experiences associated with basketball.
As a Laker fan born and raised in the Bay Area, I've had my fair share of rivalries with friends and family who support the Warriors. Playful banter would be exchanged over the years, but at some point that banter turned into genuine hate. I'm not exactly sure at which point this happened, but I can pinpoint the first time I recognized it.
This moment in 2015 was another distasteful one for me, but for different reasons that are completely irrational. I was genuinely upset and devastated that many of my loved ones were ecstatic. Many of these relationships even suffered for a period of time. The game that I love with all my being can cause me pain just as must as it can bring me joy.
Why is this the case? Why do I let a simple game affect my life so drastically? Even this current season has caused me great stress. For as long as I can remember since becoming a basketball fan, Laker games would either make or break my mood. We all know the adage: "Too much of anything is bad" and it's true. Water is essential for human life, but drinking too much could cause death. Conversely, I realize that I love basketball too much and this often results in me getting harmed. There's a reason why we're called "fans"; it's short for fanatic.
I understand what too much investment in basketball does to me. Thankfully, I have been able to both accept what's happened to my beloved Lakers this season, and move on with my life; that is, until next season. Anything worth having is worth fighting for. As much grief basketball gives me, it gives me exponentially more joy. I'll continue trying not to take it so seriously, but who am I kidding? At the end of the day, I'm a fan.
(500 words)
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