Levels of Hoop

In younger days I played a lot of basketball.

I used to think that I was a decent player. I could always shoot and pass the ball.

And look like I knew what I was doing and doing it with a little style.

I could play a little defense when the inspiration hit me .... though I could have used a bit more inspiration.

There was a word I heard a coach use once that I always thought was my greatest weakness ..... "INTENSITY!!!"  

I could though, usually hold my own on the court and not walk away totally deflated.

But every once in a while, you'd cross paths with someone that was at a higher level.

And you could see it in their athleticism, power, finesse and overall skills.

It was obvious that I was overmatched and out of my league.

And then to realize that there were two or three or more levels of hoopsters above that person.

And maybe you don't recognize it as easily when you're watching from the sidelines but when you are actually on the court with that person and running and jumping and moving about and it was so apparent that you had no chance when it came to hanging with them.

That to them, it was like you were invisible.

Like you'd be standing there between that person and the basket, attempting defensive measures.

Then a second later, you'd still be in that same spot, but the other person would be gone ..... past you, around you or above you. 

Or they'd bump you aside like you were less than a lightweight minor annoyance.

Not the slightest concern on their part of your ability to disrupt what they were trying to do.

And I would just marvel at how easy they made the game look.  

And that there were guys even more advanced. 

Then I watch an NBA game and the guys in that league that struggle to keep up with the stars and the superstars who reside above the stars ..... those struggling NBA guys would overwhelm the guy that is overwhelming me. 

And I felt small again. Put in my place. 

And it all was/is so wildly fascinating to me.

And it's why I love basketball.

Because I can watch a college and professional football or baseball game and not see much difference in athletes.

But in basketball, I see and feel it. 

I can't drive by an old outdoor basketball hoop without stopping and taking photos from different angles and wondering about all the games played there and baskets shot alone in the rain. This is where I feel the presence of ghosts.