(I don't know if Jim Halpert would agree, but I think this guy is pretty classy!)Yesterday I read one of Bill Simmons newest articles in which he chronicles Game 1 of the Lakers-Rockets second round playoff series in the West. While his article was filled with pop culture images of Audrina and Brody that made me giggle and a snappy little poke at Luis Scola and Sasha Vujacic and their ugly hair that made me literally LOL, there was one part of his article that brought those goose bumps to my arms that only sports lovers can know. Here goes:
Bill writes: “9:37: Kobe tries to go baseline on Shane Battier, who forces him under the hoop and strips the ball from him as he heads out of bounds. Lakers ball. Is there a better one-on-one matchup in basketball right now than Kobe versus Battier? It was already good, then the great Michael Lewis blessed it, and now it's like watching a basketball chess match every game. I love this series just for Kobe-Battier. Kobe might get his points, but he's gonna have to work his butt off for them. This much we know.”
I was really proud of Bill for acknowledging my favorite player, Shane Battier. I am a Celtics fan for my husband, a die-hard Cameron Crazy for myself, cheer for all the Blue Devils in the NBA, and of all my Blue Devils Shane is my favorite. Maybe it’s because he is the single most decorated college basketball player ever or because he stayed all 4 years to earn his degree in Religion. Maybe it’s because he helped the Blue Devils get another championship or because he’s a solid family man who married his high school sweetheart despite being a “college athlete in the spotlight” or an “NBA player”. Maybe it’s because he does all the dirty work. He’s the defensive force behind the Rockets: taking charges, getting blocks, and guarding the Lebrons and Kobes without much recognition. But mostly it’s for all those reasons. All those reasons and a lot more… Sure some people think I’m crazy because, come on, I’ve never even met the guy. Shane has always been my favorite because he just seems so classy. (The recent Office episode where Jim is wearing the tux and discussing “classy” with Michael may have just ruined that word for me, but oh well I’m using it anyway because it’s the right description.) Anyway, even just watching him on TV I could always tell. He was a hard worker. He gave 110% to everything. Every class. Every team member. Every practice. Every game. Every play. Everything.
Or maybe I love Shane because he always has just seemed like such a well-rounded individual, and that is what I have always aspired to be. He seems like the perfectly combined balance of premiere athlete, scholar, family man, religious student, philanthropist, and all around good guy. If someone called me the female Shane Battier it would be one of the biggest honors of my life. It’s refreshing to see him be recognized by Rylee and I’s favorite writer, Bill Simmons, and it’s funny how satisfying it is to see him work Kobe Bryant over and make him work for each point he gets.
Man, I love the playoffs! I didn’t realize how much I’ve missed them, but going from watching over 60 regular season games and EVERY playoff game last year to watching almost no NBA at all this year has been sad. I’m a college girl at heart, but the NBA is slowly gaining a bigger place in there. I’m itching for the 2011-2012 season when we will have League Pass again. There’s always a perpetual GO CELTICS in my voice, but as for the West-
Bill writes: “9:37: Kobe tries to go baseline on Shane Battier, who forces him under the hoop and strips the ball from him as he heads out of bounds. Lakers ball. Is there a better one-on-one matchup in basketball right now than Kobe versus Battier? It was already good, then the great Michael Lewis blessed it, and now it's like watching a basketball chess match every game. I love this series just for Kobe-Battier. Kobe might get his points, but he's gonna have to work his butt off for them. This much we know.”
I was really proud of Bill for acknowledging my favorite player, Shane Battier. I am a Celtics fan for my husband, a die-hard Cameron Crazy for myself, cheer for all the Blue Devils in the NBA, and of all my Blue Devils Shane is my favorite. Maybe it’s because he is the single most decorated college basketball player ever or because he stayed all 4 years to earn his degree in Religion. Maybe it’s because he helped the Blue Devils get another championship or because he’s a solid family man who married his high school sweetheart despite being a “college athlete in the spotlight” or an “NBA player”. Maybe it’s because he does all the dirty work. He’s the defensive force behind the Rockets: taking charges, getting blocks, and guarding the Lebrons and Kobes without much recognition. But mostly it’s for all those reasons. All those reasons and a lot more… Sure some people think I’m crazy because, come on, I’ve never even met the guy. Shane has always been my favorite because he just seems so classy. (The recent Office episode where Jim is wearing the tux and discussing “classy” with Michael may have just ruined that word for me, but oh well I’m using it anyway because it’s the right description.) Anyway, even just watching him on TV I could always tell. He was a hard worker. He gave 110% to everything. Every class. Every team member. Every practice. Every game. Every play. Everything.
Or maybe I love Shane because he always has just seemed like such a well-rounded individual, and that is what I have always aspired to be. He seems like the perfectly combined balance of premiere athlete, scholar, family man, religious student, philanthropist, and all around good guy. If someone called me the female Shane Battier it would be one of the biggest honors of my life. It’s refreshing to see him be recognized by Rylee and I’s favorite writer, Bill Simmons, and it’s funny how satisfying it is to see him work Kobe Bryant over and make him work for each point he gets.
Man, I love the playoffs! I didn’t realize how much I’ve missed them, but going from watching over 60 regular season games and EVERY playoff game last year to watching almost no NBA at all this year has been sad. I’m a college girl at heart, but the NBA is slowly gaining a bigger place in there. I’m itching for the 2011-2012 season when we will have League Pass again. There’s always a perpetual GO CELTICS in my voice, but as for the West-
GO ROCKETS! GO SHANE! Take Kobe down…