All Star Weekend

The above picture is of me and my eldest brother in 1975 in Baltimore. We were in front of the brownstone his family lived in. We were off to play church ball wearing our Pro Keds and Converse Chuck Taylors. Nike did not exist and Adidas Superstars were too ubiquitous. Dig the shorts, high socks and sweat bands.

I have always loved the game of basketball. The first basketball I owned was given to me by my Mom and Dad for Christmas when I was in third grade. From that day forward, I was hooked. I remember playing those cold winter days, out in the driveway on Harrison Boulevard, until I could not feel my fingers. I had an odd two handed shot as no one had ever shown me how to shoot properly. I was a sophomore in high school before I learned how to shoot textbook. But I did not care. I loved the game. Unfortunately, alongside me in the driveway, was a pile of power pole cross members full of nails. They were there to be used for firewood. Full of nails. My new ball sought out one of those nails as that is one of the forces in the universe...opposites attract. My ball was punctured and my Dad tried to patch it with some gooey black stuff but the magic in that ball was gone. My first remembered bout with my O.C.D.

I never made the varsity team in high school as a junior. Only J.V. as a sophomore. Not enough political clout in Buhl. Myself and three better players did not make the team as juniors. I took much satisfaction in the fact the team went 1-13 and the coach lost his job. I did not try out as a senior as I had moved on.

When I was 22 or so, my Will's Motor city league team won the City Championship in Twin Falls. We beat the team comprised mostly of the guys who beat me out in Buhl for the high school team. Please forgive me if I enjoyed that a little too much.

There is more history but I don't want to bore. Fast forward to last weekend which found me in Dallas Texas for N.B.A. All Star Weekend. The All Star game was held in the new Dallas Cowboy Stadium after a couple days of record snow fall in Dallas. There were 108,117 people in attendance. That is more than half the population in Boise in one building.

I was plying my trade as a security representative for the N.B.A. I had to complete mundane (ha ha) activities like escorting the All Stars to practices, rehearsals, interviews and The Game. This is my third All Star game in my four years as a security rep. Working for the N.B.A. Getting paid to hang out with positive, upbeat people and players. Getting paid to watch talented athletes play the game I love. Being totally appreciated by staff and players, envied by those who would love to be in my shoes. Surprising staff and scouts in pickup games who are fooled by the grey hair. Having Larry Bird shake my hand while introducing himself to me. Keeping Kevin Garnett from bumping his head on a crossmember under the stage and having him rub my head as thanks. Having Steve Nash pat me on the butt when I rescued him from some overly enthusiastic fans. Watching grown men enjoying the game like children. Not life and death. Total unbridled immersion in my Land of Oz.

Yeah, I know.