This is my submission to the SteemSports 2K Giveaway Submission. First of all, I'd like to congratulate you on having a successful tenure so far here on Steem! SteemSports is my top sources to get anything sports related here on Steem, so I appreciate the effort indeed.
Before I begin, I'd like to preface my submission by saying that I will not be providing personal pictures of my experiences simply because I couldn't find them (they're somewhere around my house!). However, I will providing pictures for illustration. Also, I hope that a little more than 2-3 paragraphs is okay! Sorry in advance 
There is one definitive word that comes to mind, which perfectly describes in my close relationship with sports: Unity. In a broken world where we are all faced with calamities, trials and tribulations in life, we all have common ground in some areas of life that shed a little light and hope. Personally, I am a firm Christian believer that Jesus Christ is the Savior of our brokenness, and that He uses different channels and instruments to unite us together. I believe that sports is one of those instruments.
I was born in 1995, and I am 22 years old to date. My fondest memories of professional basketball happened in 2000, and 2001. I was only 4 and 5 years old respectively. I have lived in Toronto all my life, and my father loved basketball; so, it was inevitable for me to watch it on the TV screen as well. I vividly remember myself watching our Tube TV on a Saturday night, where the 2000 Slam Dunk Competition was held in Oakland, and my favorite player Vince Carter was a contest participant, and winner of the contest. It is my favorite dunk contest of all time, and it is one of the most greatest slam dunk contests to date! From then on, I was hooked from then on with basketball. I'd play in our backyard pretending I was a high flying dunker going between the legs, or shooting deep threes before Steph Curry was even in the league!
In 2001, I was heartbroken when Vince Carter missed the game winner in Philly. I respected his decision to go to UNC to get his degree, but I don't think that was the main reason why we lost. He simply just missed. I didn't know it back then, but I know now. These games go beyond win or lose.
In basketball games, there would usually be crowds watching players, or rosters taking turns on who to play with. That is comradery - a sense of inclusion, friendship, and community - that everyone could easily receive. It could be outlets to stay out of trouble. It could be the beginning of starting priceless friendships and people you consider family. It could be a method of self-improvement both physically and mentally, building confidence and kindness. Regardless, it brings people, families, and strangers together for one common goal - to win! For me though, I think winning or losing a basketball scrimmage or game is not the end goal. I think the end goal is becoming a better athlete, player and person all in one! This is to unite strangers and allow differences to be indifferent for that one moment. This is why I loved Kevin Garnett as a player in Boston because his work ethic and passion for the game is unmatched. I think of Russell Westbrook as well being one of those guys.
In 2008, I was privileged to participate in the Chris Bosh Foundation basketball boys club here in Toronto, Ontario. At the time, Chris Bosh was the guy on our Raptors squad, and he was one of my favorite players. I joined the boys club and we had used that moment to become better people and players. Eventually, after hard training and practice, a selected group of 10 boys were going to the Air Canada Center to play at halftime in front of 19,800 people. I was the shy, reserved personality that didn't really like limelight because of shameful fear; but, I did not want to pass this opportunity up. The criteria was to shoot as many free throws as we could. I shot the most in my group of boys, a tremendous blessing, and was able to go to participate at the ACC! I was extremely pumped. One of my closest friends was one of the 10 boys as well, and we still share this story!
During the actual halftime game, I didn't really play that well; my only highlight was a 3 point shot from the wing, which isn't so bad if I say so myself :p My biggest takeaway from there was a great sense of humility and awe at how players work and put in their time and effort to become better professional players. Some players treat their games, contracts as live or die - a huge price to pay in the grand scheme of things. Recently however, I've had a much different approach to this, and it all ties back to unity in community, love from above.
I was emotionally invested as a young kid with the Toronto Raptors. My favorite sports team till I am in the grave (in my opinion at least :p). At the time, all I cared about was if the Raptors won. I did not care at all about the players individually. It became my idol - a bad idol. I cried after Raptors' losses, and it translated in how I treated people - all while I was only 9-10 years old!
As I grew in the Christian faith, so did my view look with sports. A game was simply just a game - not life or death. Within these games, there were players, each with their lives, families, and hobbies that they do outside of basketball games. Most of them certainly do not live and breath basketball 24/7 (although some do I admit). Basketball for me is just an instrument and tool to come together as one people, play to the best of our abilities, and enjoy one another's company.
God created all things for good, and when I made sports my idol, it ruined the entire outlook of how it was intended to be. I do not love sports because my favorite team wins games or has amazing athletes. The Toronto Raptors are (at this moment) attempting to lure back Kyle Lowry and Serge Ibaka (and hopefully PJ Tucker) for another playoff run, but that is not why I love sports and basketball. I love sports because it transcends our differences and allows us all to be included and refined both as humans and a society. Many sports memories will be remembered for decades upon decades, and I will too; but, what will stand out most is what it did for others, and how it changed and improved the lives of many. This is why I play!
Thanks for the read guys! Don't forget to comment, upvote and resteem if you like this! If this post is not eligible for the giveaway, it is okay - I had a great time writing it! :D Congratulations once again to steemsports for an amazing accomplishment. Have a great day everyone and God bless!
