Call it ESP, 50/50 chance, purple being my childhood fave color, or L.A. being one of my best vacation spots… I knew they would do it, again… I said it at the beginning of the NBA season and didn’t waver. When you believe something and can’t shake it, go with it. Just go with it!

Congratulations, Lakers, on your win over the Boston Celtics for the 2010 NBA Championship!

It’s Play-off time for the NBA and the best of the best are shining! Teams are donning their fresh jerseys and they’re all out for blood, uh, or at least a chance to hoist the championship trophy over their heads (The blood thing was a bit too dramatic for me…).

One thing that’s both obvious and unusual is that a few of the superstar players for these teams aren’t playing, for one reason or another, or they’re on the floor, but just not showing up. The rest of these guys’ teammates are still playing and trying to take their team to the next level.

I wonder how the superstars, who are in these situations, feel. I mean, seriously. You know these guys have passion and heart for the game and the ego side of them must be saying, “this is my team”. Whatever the case, I’m sure there are an array of feelings going on. These scenarios got me to thinking of ‘real-life’ stuff…

Not real-life stuff like if I take a 2-week vacation from work the company won’t survive, because almost always a company will find a way to easily go on without you. No, I’m referring to real-life stuff like how a friend tells you he just doesn’t see himself in his marriage for too much longer or how your girlfriend is thinking of terminating her pregnancy. I think of the other side… You know, the grass-is-greener side and I imagine how that side will go on and if it can go on. Of course, there are real-life matters that aren’t earth shattering, but I know you can feel me on this. Just like the superstar feels like he is bigger than the team or is hurt by their success without him, surely real-life stuff forces you to look at your own reality to see how much you’re making an impact, if any. I hope for the sake of the championship, and the real-life stuff, that folks can get their heads back in the game and realize what’s at stake.

Okay, so for those who didn’t instantly get the title let me give you some background information… LeBron James is the NBA’s 2009 MVP and deemed by some as the next, next (the first “next” was Kobe Bryant, of course) coming of Michael Jordan. James has a slogan attached to him that “we all are witnesses”…

Now, to the story… James and his team, the Cleveland Caviliers, were just sent home by the Orlando Magic. End of story…

I’m not, by any means, a “hater” of LeBron (A.K.A. “LeGone”… I didn’t make it up.), I just cannot get with crowning him Jordan’s “next next” when he hasn’t even won a ring yet. We all know there has been several spectacular players who never experienced a championship… And at that point, the next level of honor would then be the Hall of Fame, but players would all tell you they’d still love to have a ring.

I’m just saying… I’m only witnessing James going home, again (I had to…). And, as great as some may be, within the context of the game, James hasn’t arrived… And, if you’re comparing someone to Jordan (Uh, let’s say like Kobe, who has three rings…), I’d think you wouldn’t want to insult Jordan’s legacy and the number of championships achieved (six to be exact)… I’d like to witness that first before becoming a true witness. I’m just saying…

Disclaimer: (You have to say it really fast in order for it to come out as it should. LOL!) LeBron is an outstanding talent who has no doubt excited the NBA culture; and has not in any way appeared in any light except for extreme gratitude to the comparison of the likeness of Michael Jordan.

Hubby came in and told me the funniest thing he heard on sports radio on his drive home. Apparently, the host asked if listeners, as Ravens’ fans, would now root for the Pittsburgh Steelers to win the Super Bowl since they are in the same division as the Ravens (You know, some type of division unity?)… From the deluge of appalled-by-the-question fans was a comment that made Hubby and I scream (literally).

“I root for two teams: The Ravens and who ever’s playing the Steelers”!

Priceless…

Tigers are considered to be the undisputed ruler of its domain (This is so going to be relevant later!). When hunger arises, they are extraordinary killers and their prey are left helpless to their undeniable prowess (Wait for it… Wait for it.). And, no matter the situation, they can almost always be found victorious.

These same characteristics are appropriately aligned with PGA’s very own Tiger Woods (See the name symbolism?… Work it. Own it. Love it.). Victor of the 2008 U.S. Open Championship at Torrey Pines, Woods defeated his opponent in a sudden death playoff after being tied at the end of the game.

Photo by Jim Epler. (CC)

Here’s the kicker!… he was hurt. Yep!

Woods had recently had surgery on his left knee, leaving him in an amazing amount of pain. Admitting that he pushed himself quite a bit, Woods (grimacing and limping all the way) found courage and pressed by his pain to achieve greatness, yet again… Definitely his most remarkable.

Where’s your symbolic Tiger? We all have one (I’ve had to pull it out a few times [smile])… and you know what? It’s okay! A little inner strength never hurts.