NBA is more than sport
By Kim William Ho-joong
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is about more than the sport.
It is a collection of personal stories that basketball maestros have crafted. It’s not just the dazzling no-look passes and ferocious facial dunks that make the NBA so captivating. It is the heartfelt tales of overcoming hardships and taking on new challenges, and achieving success that resonates with fans all over the world.
When I was young, like any other teenager, it was the bright lights of the stadium, the glossy hardwood floor, and the mesmerizing plays that caught my attention. My perception has drastically changed after watching an unforgettable playoff game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Portland Trailblazers during the 2010-2011 NBA season.
This epic clash between two Western Conference teams enlightened me about the beauty of intangible stories hidden behind the flashy highlights the media broadcast.
For the first 36 minutes, the Mavericks dominated the game with their suffocating defense and coordinated set plays. By the end of the third quarter, the Trailblazers were down by 18 points and even the most faithful Portland fans doubted their home team’s possibility of pulling out a win.
It was amid such adverse circumstances that Portland’s franchise star Brandon Roy rose to the occasion. With 10 minutes left, he aggressively drove to the basket, converting on a contested lay-up that cut the deficit to 15.
This was the beginning of his personal rampage. After scoring a hook shot using a veteran post move against Jason Kidd, Roy made two additional fade-aways, closing the gap to 77:70. Amid cheering and chanting of the rejuvenated fans, the Portland Trailblazers were back in the game.
Although Maverick shooting guard Jason Terry silenced the stadium after making a three-pointer, it was too little, too late to stop Roy. His seemingly impossible four-point play executed tied the game at 82 with 1 minute left on the game clock.
While the Mavericks prepared themselves for a potential overtime, Roy had different plans. With a series of dribble moves, Roy got himself within comfortable range and banked in a midrange jump shot that completed the improbable comeback. It was one of the greatest turnaround wins in American basketball history.
He could accomplish this task even with a chronic knee injury that had plagued his career. After damaging his knee, Roy, who was once a perennial all-star, saw his minutes decrease substantially during the regular season.
Everyone said Roy would never become the player he once was. Yet Roy was not a quitter. Even though his role as a Trailblazer diminished, he never ceased working on his game.
In the end, his hard work and courage paid off for a historical playoff win that all fans would be remember.
What makes the NBA special is players such as Roy who, after months of doubt and frustration, had the willpower to carry his team to a dramatic victory.
Players such as Jeremy Lin, who led the New York Knicks through a legendary win streak, inspire international fans. Touching the fans is the joy Lebron James shed as he held up his first NBA championship trophy after years of being ridiculed and criticized for his inability to close out big games.
The "zero to hero” story of Gilbert Arenas, the shout of excitement as NBA’s minor league’s recruit Sundiata Gaines made the game-winning 3-point shot for the Utah Jazz: such are the intangibles that serve as the NBA’s lifeblood.
Many fans often undervalue such striking tales of courage, teamwork, and perseverance. Of course, it’s the fancy dunks, killer crossovers, behind-the-back passes, and clutch three pointers that get people interested in basketball.
But it’s important to see beyond merely the highlights and appreciate the genuine stories these basketball experts have to share. There’s more to learn from the NBA than one might expect.
The writer is a student of Cheongna Dalton School. He is a manager of Naver NBA Forum Café.