Sports. I have never dedicated to engaging in playing, watching or even caring about them. However, it is absolutely impossible to be a TRUE Memphian and not become overjoyed by the reality of the Grizzlies in the playoffs and the prospect of them going all the way. Memphis is aching for positive publicity and the way the city has rallied behind this team is tremendous. For the past 8 years, I’ve lived in foreign lands (foreign lands: outside of Memphis, yet on American soil) where I’ve been mocked for unashamedly claiming my home sweet home. Apparently the world believes only small things and people come out Memphis. I’ve been called names like lil’ North North and lil’ First 48. I’ve been accused of lying about my origins because I don’t have gold teeth and/or a jheri curl. I even met someone from DETROIT, of all places, who was afraid to come to Memphis. I’m not even sure that birds feel safe enough to fly in Detroit. I’m joking, but really, Memphis is not ‘the gutter’ as many would like to call it. There are great people in this city, cool things to do if you’re willing to find them, a ton of finger licking, leg shaking good places to gain weight (or, eat), and now, the relentless Memphis Grizzlies are becoming the al la mode to this city.
These games have had me all in! Maybe too much. I now see why some people have fasted from sports. While watching Game 3, I developed a pulsating headache when the Grizzlies lost hold of their 18 point lead over the Thunder. The gap made me calm. But, when the Thunder got just a one point lead a vein in my neck began to twitch. It continued if the Grizz did something silly. In contrast, when they did something fantastic, I leaped up and yelled, making this uncontrollable hardcore gansta-like sound, “Uugh,” followed by the words “Yea boi! Or a “That’s what I’m talkin’ bout baby!” These are definitely not normal responses for me. I was on an emotional rollercoaster and in the words of Vivian Green, “loving [the game] ain’t nothin’ healthy.”
However, in those moments of irrepressible reaction, I discovered the “big deal about Sports” that I have never understood. If you’re really serious, the team you hope to win is actually ‘your team.’ I have never understood why people who can’t run half a mile would include themselves in speaking about a sports team, they’d say, “We are going all the way.” In fact, it used to anger me. I’d say to myself, “Shut up FOOL, you ain’t on no team!” Intense inner monologue, I know. But now, I get it. I am a proud Memphian, which makes me a Grizzlie. I’m telling the world, “Never call me lil First 48 again! Call me Big Grizz!” Not really, please, no one do that. But I do enjoy this game and will be watching every last one of them. I will be using my new sports alter ego. And WE are going all the way! Go Grizzlies.
