Friday, January 30, 2009

The most importanta basketball game EVER? shut up

I was just on the can and I read an article in the recent Esquire about Michelle Obama's brother Craig Robinson. He is the current coach of Oregon State, but Chuck Klosterman (I usually love his writing) decided to ask about a game of one-on-one he played with Barack when he and Michelle started to date. He was vetting Obama if you will and apparently decided Barack was a good enough guy to date Michelle. Well this story has spread like wildfire (Thanks to Stuart Scott of ESPN in that GROUNDBREAKING interview)and Klosterman called it the most important basketball ever. Apparently the game "partially and supposedly explains who Barack Obama is."

Huh? Really? this one-on-one game is THE most important game of basketball EVER played? Seriously?
Moreso than the Dream Team in 1992 which brought basketball to Europe and got Euros interested in the game?
Moreso than the Redeem Team that faced China in the recent Olympics which set an ALL-TIME record for viewers? The entire country of China was watching it and it was America reasserting itself as the head dog of basketball.
Moreso than when the USSR stole the 1972 medal from the USA? They had three cracks at a last show with two do-overs to final steal that game.
Moreso than Michael Jordan's 63 in the playoffs?
Moreso than MJ winning a sixth title with that last second shot?
Moreso than Wilt's 100 point game?
Moreso than the first game at MSG after 9/11?
Moreso than Texas Western knocking off UCLA?
Moreso than Dean Smith breaking the all-time wins record then Bobby Knight breaking that record?
Moreso than Duke over UK thanks to Christian Laetner (spelling)?
Moreso than Bird v Magic in the NCAA finals then meeting up in the NBA finals?
Moreso than LeBron's high school game where he introduced himself to the world?

I just have a hard time believing that this one-on-one game is REALLY THE most important basketball game ever played. Really? I know you are trying to sell magazines, but to make a statement like that is just too much. I feel bad for Craig if HE reads Klosterman and believes that line. But then, after reading about him and his lovely attitude towards his players, I don't feel bad for him. PS, Robinson had a Felton-like record last year. But I wonder if he will get canned or if he will get to stay on because of his sister's husband. (I am not sure Oregon State would want to go against the rest of America and the liberal media that would surely rake them over the coals for booting Robinson out.) All I can say though is, he had better start winning to be using that abusive language. Coach K and Bobby Knight can get away with it because they were winners. Robinson hasn't won a whole bunch while at OSU. Not sure he has earned the pass to do that stuff just yet.

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