Hoops.

Yesterday was a day of hoops. Andrew took a break from our regular life and high-tailed it up to Philly with his Dad to see the Temple-Duke game.

Max and his “Georgia Tech” team took “Maryland” by 20 points. Great game for a bunch of 7-year olds. They played their little hearts out. Reed and his “Michigan” team played a great game, but were outplayed by the 8/9 year old “Georgetown” team.

The kids’ season is almost over. It’s been a lot of fun – particularly since the boys play basketball with essentially the same boys they play baseball with…so they know each other really well and the parents are becoming friendly, too. It’s very pleasant (albeit hectic) and most of the time, I enjoy it.

Yesterday, the “Georgetown” dads disappointed me, though. They didn’t say anything bad or mean to the “Michigan” kids. That would really suck. But they did shout and scream and really bordered on icky sports dads. I was bumming. I mean, who would yell at the ref for calling traveling or pushing or whatever when the kids are clearly doing their best and still learning? Ewww.

I have never been a big fan of the sport. Since Andrew is a huge fan, I try. Well, sometimes. But at any rate, I am learning more about the rules – the calls – the details of play. And the more I learn, the more I see that basketball is a lot like life in general.

• You are either in control, fighting to get control, backing up your colleague who is in control, choosing not to have control, or spacing out.
• You have to seriously watch your step — people are watching you.
• If you have control, someone wants to take it from you.
• Strength isn’t everything. Out-thinking works too.
• Speed is only important if it’s combined with control.
• Once you’ve committed to an action, you’d better follow through.
• Getting pissed off doesn’t help. It detracts from any progress you might have made.
• You have to trust your team. You can’t go it alone.
• Do your job. People are counting on you.
• Glory doesn’t last long.
• You can’t take yourself too seriously. Keep a good attitude. No one wants to play with a sore loser.
• It’s just a game. Have fun.
• You’ll get another chance.