The Breakup

The straw that broke the camel's back. It may have been a small straw, but nonetheless, it was the final straw. I don't like feeling mistreated. I think my loyalty should be rewarded and not taken for granted. But I don't feel that way. I feel hurt and nauseous. "This must be a dream," I keep thinking, "It can't be real."

Antoine Wright fouled Carmelo Anthony; that is fact. And there is no acceptable reason to justify why it wasn't called. In the grand scheme of things one could say that it was a minor mistake by the referees (although one with major ramifications), and that I am overreacting. But it has been a series of minor mistakes that has gotten me to this point. I've watched a lot of play off games this post season, and my opinion comes in a somewhat non-biased form. I'll admit that I am biased when I watch Maverick games(1), but I am virtually unbiased when I watch any other game. I can say that I have watched approximately half of the postseason games to this point, and I can say with complete confidence that the officiating has been inconsistent at best (and flat out awful at worst). And it's that inconsistency that has brought me to my decision. I'm through.

It frustrates me more than anything else to see bad officiating, in any sport. And basketball seems to have the worst. I'm not completely sure why that is. I realize that calling any sport must be difficult, but the same inconsistencies are not present in other sports. Football has the benefit of instant reply to get some things right(2), and maybe baseball is just easier. Maybe it's the fast paced, physical nature of basketball that makes it more difficult. I don't know. But I can't go on being a basketball fan if it's going to upset me this often. And so, I'm through.

It may seem irrational, but it really isn't. If my girlfriend angered me every time we were together, I'd break up. If a friend constantly upset me, they would cease to be my friend. So why should I continue my relationship with basketball when it always upsets me?

And for those of you who think this is temporary and that will be back together in a week, think again. I broke up with baseball back in '05 and only now have I started to care again(3). I have the will power to break up with the NBA, and once I break up, I through. Perhaps, at some point I will return to being a passive fan, following a team again, but for now, I'm through.

Of course it wasn't all bad times. There are certain memories that I will always cherish. The comeback against the Spurs in the 2006 finals, for example. Or the joy of watching a brilliant rookie season from a future star, like Josh Howard or Jason Kidd. I'll never forget hustle players like Eddie Najara, Darrel Armstrong, or Brandon Bass. And the thought of Popey Jones' ears will always bring a smile to my face(6).

Like the break up of any meaningful relationship, it's a little saddening. But I have to remember that in the end, its really the best thing for both of us. I'll always look back fondly on my time with basketball(7), and I wish it all the best in the future.


1. Bias aside, the final blown call is indisputable.
2. But so does basketball and it seems to be used more often.
3. I still wouldn't say that I'm back to being a "fan"(4) of Major League Baseball, but I am back to following the rangers again.
4. I mean 'fan' in the sense of it being the shortened form of the word 'fanatic'(5). I was at one point in time a fanatic about baseball. Same for basketball too. But I am no longer a fanatic and I can't ever really see myself become one again.
5. Of course I realize that the word fan has more than one connotation. So let me say, when I stopped being a fan of baseball, what I mean is I stopped following, I lost all interest in going to games, I stopped caring about the Rangers or any thing else with baseball. Only now am I becoming a passive fan, as the MLB has begun to make some attempts to correct the error of there ways.
6. Or Avery Johnson's voice, or Shawn Bradley's... ridiculousness.
7. I feel it necessary to clarify that this "breakup" only pertains to NBA basketball. I'll still enjoy playing basketball and may even pick up college hoops... well maybe, I don't think I ready just yet for a relationship with any organized basketball right now. I need to take some time for myself first.