Seedy’s Snapshots: Beating Big Bro ++

Q: What does the author compare playing basketball with?

The author compares playing basketball with their older brother to a childhood experience of competition and rivalry.

Q: How does the author describe their older brother's attitude during games?

The author describes their older brother as taller, better, and showing no remorse for winning every game.

Q: What emotions does the author express about losing to their brother?

The author expresses feelings of frustration and nostalgia about consistently losing to their brother.

Q: What childhood game does the author mention in the context of basketball?

The author mentions playing H O R S E as part of their basketball games with their older brother.

OK, so for me the last couple of days have been kinda like this.

You’re a kid. You hoop with your older brother in the driveway. 21 by 2. H O R S E.

He’s taller. He’s better. He has no desire to cut you any slack. Even if both are banished by Mother the Commissioner, ending up in their rooms to cool down.

He beats you Every Single Time. Shows no remorse.

Until about the summer before the 9th grade. Growth spurt. Shot straightens. Handle gets better if not great.

The day comes when you finally win one.

You’re strutting around the yard with your arms raised to the sky, shouting in glee. Your neighbor working in her garden, stops and claps for you.

Your brother is pissed.

“Again.”

Off the schneid, you prevail twice in a row.

Yeah, so how many DJ Wagners have their been through the decades? Ballers the Cards recruited against that school down the road.

Well, Cardinal fans, it was a Get Back 48 hours.

Guard De’Shayne Montgomery picked red over blue.

Gabe Dynes, who hails from Wildcat Country no less, said “No Big Blue!”

Which is not to mention Karter Knox, brother of a Cat, who awhile ago was going to don blue eschewing the Cards’ pitch, until he skipped off to follow his coach. He’ll be practicing on Floyd Street this fall.

Smile a time zone wide.

* * * * *

Pat Kelsey’s roster construction appears to have a purpose.

A few more spots need to be filled. But the heavy lifting appears done.

Of course we have no idea if it’s going to work or not? That’s why they play the games.

But this spring’s high hopes are legitimate. Though I dread what happens if fans’ sometimes unreasonable expectations aren’t met.

If only we were able to know in advance.

Which I thought of the other day when hooking up with an old pal. He now runs a company in HollywoodLand that tracks data, analytics, social media buzz etc for studios. So they can get some sense of the buzz, how an upcoming release is going to open at the box office and perform.

He mentioned “Michael,” the hagiographic take on Michael Jackson.

“The reviews have been brutal,” said I.

“It’s going to be huge,” he responded.

The next day header in the NYT about the flick’s opening: “Michael” Shakes Off Bad Reviews to Become a Box Office Juggernaut.

$200 million worldwide.

Data delivered.

No such analytics exist for basketball. They have to play the games.

But . . . Juggernaut . . . it’s got a nice ring to it.

* * * * *

The Athletic came up with TP All Frequent Flyer team.

The best players by position who have suited up in various hues hither and yon most often.

Team captain — my designation not author Lindsay Schnell’s — is PJ Haggerty.

As Ricky Nelson sang, he’s a travelin’ man, made a lot of stops.

TCU > Tulsa > Memphis State > Kansas State, landing for next season in College Station at Texas A&M.

Starting forward on the 1st team: Alvaro Folguieros.

Who has zigzagged across the landscape from Robert Morris to Iowa to The Ville.

A welcome addition.

Which is to say, by all accounts, Naismithius, Greek God of Hoops, has caused his countenance to shine upon the Red & Black Nation during Sea Change Season.

— c d kaplan