How Rivalries have changed Over The Years

Back in 19993 I was watching some NBA experts talking about Shaquille O'neal's emergence as an NBA superstar. Former great Bill Walton was reffering to how Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlin were oddly together, laughing and kidding with one another during a get together for one of Shaq's first official commercial shoots. He talked about NBA rivalries and how when Russel and Chamberlan were competing they were not friends, but strictly rivals on a competitive level. He mentioned his rivalry with Kareem, "Jabar and myself, we weren't friends at all. Magic Johnson changed all that." Magic did change all that. He and Larry Bird reminised about recent battles for the title to the press over the course of their career in a heart felt manner to a degree. . Magic and the Pistons' Isaha Thomas once even kissed at a game..atleast Isaha Thomas kissed him and Magic apparently had no problem with it. But where are competitive rivalries headed now and in recent years. There have been more brawls between players than before. When Lebron james talked to his father about getting swept in the finals by Tim Duncan and the Spurs, his dad replied that he shouldn't have bothered to shake hands with him after it was all over. Does one really have to hate his competetor to win? Are we headed back to a mentality and influence associated with the Chamberlan Russell rivalry, the befriending Magic era, or are things in this perspective perhaps getting more balanced? For instance, many players who you'd think wouldn't be close are friends. Lebron james and Dwayne Wayde for instance, both shooting gaurds who have faced each other in the playoffs, are quite close. In the 2006 playoffs Lebron was even giving Wade tips on how to play against the Pistons, James having just lost to them in the prior round. What do you think?

Sentementality can't change that....however!

Larry Bird, Robert Parish, ainge, mchale, Walton, were all big names not just in the basketball world but in the city of Boston itself. They did commercials for local establishments such as tasteful steak house. I can't recall the name. They gave Boston the joyous gift of pride, strength, a little love, and most importantly faith. Eventually Bird retired. Mchale, Parish and Reggie Lewis helped keep the Celtics as playoff contenders for a little longer until Mchale retired, Parish went to Charlotte, and Lewis died of an overdose. When Mchale retired, I remember announcer Bob Costas doing a brief documentary on his career. In it he mentioned,"The Celtics are in the midst of a sorry season. Sentimentality can't change that...". He went on to talk about Mchale retiring his jersey at halftime. I have a vague recollection, but my point is is that fans and the city of Boston kept their sentimentality toward the Celtics and their history, and focused on the big picture. Fifteen years later, they have a team record regular season and win the championship against a team with the league's MVP, Kobe Bryant. It just goes to show that though sentamentality every now and then may not change things on a tangible level, it nurtures and invigorates the soul, wether it be a person, city, or sports team, or all three. To any team or person out there that is going through a negative transition in their career, or even in their personal lives, I urge you to soften your soul and see the big picture every now and then.....Peace out.

Obama and his pride

Barack Obama has his pride. He denied over seventy million dolllars from public funding, insisting he can gather up more money privately. Thus, he has gained a celebrity status with his charisma and good looks. Is this race between Obama a debate over the issues such as healthcare, the economy overall, etc. or has it become a popularity contest based on celebrity appeal. What do you think readers. Feel free to comment. I haven't gotten any in quite a while and I'd love to hear from all of you.