The method of choice is definitely force when playoffs come around. Did you catch Game 2 of Lakers vs. Houston in the 2nd round of the 2009 playoffs. Derek Fisher was ejected for an intentional elbow to the head of a Houston's Luis Scola who was setting a dirty screen. Then Von Wafer was sent to the showers by his own coach for basically being a bad employee and giving too much lip on the sidelines. Then Ron Artest was told to pack it up when he claimed Kobe elbowed him in the throat and got chest-to-chest with our team leader.
Physicality was at max levels with more than a little shovin' going on. Testosterone personified is what we experienced last night. Toughness came into discussion in other blogs and people said everything from, "The Lakers are dirty" to "It's all in the game". But two questions: #1 What's in the game that belongs there and doesn't? #2 What does the elite athlete really use as a motivator? My senior year in college (I think....it's been a while) I caught an elbow to the left eye socket during a game. My eye swelled nearly shut and coach sat me down because I was having trouble seeing the forest for the big puffy tissue obstructing the view. I never thought the guy who gave the elbow was dirty though. It just wasn't on my radar. Nor did I muse about vengeance. I took my lump and sported a black eye for a few weeks.
I think more important than the pushin' and shovin' is the motivation for wanting to win the NBA championship. Are Kobe and the gang keen on being the champ for bragging rights and another banner in the rafters of Stapledom or is it superficially the playoff bonuses players get for advancing deepest into the playoffs? Pros are so passionate, almost superfluously. Scratch that. They are definitely over the top but when the scratchin' and clawin' of NBA post-season begins (and it has) what's the reason? I play pick up hoop a lot and guys hold, push and trip. Let's just say when it comes to that littany of tactics, I'm not a fan. There's a definition of competition that rears its head every year about this time. Guys are exhibiting divine-like physical grace in nose-to-nose battle and then ruining the display with taunting of opposing players. Then afterward, both teams calmly and with erudite delivery address media as if they've just been out in the garden trimming a few prized roses. Duplicitous is a word I want to use but then I would sound like I think I'm anything better. I'm not. I just want to know to what extent the grappling affects society. I'm willing to fight over a few things but I'm not sure sports is supposed to be one of them.
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