The Ethical Game: Requiem for a Hoop Dream

[donbosco]

"Paul was a Heels fan. In our younger years, he took my brother and me to the Dean Dome for a handful of games each season, and we watched the program and the ACC evolve. We saw Chris Paul and Wake down UNC in triple overtime in 2003, saw David Noel knock out mighty Gardner-Webb with an early-season buzzer-beater in 2005, and watched Wayne Ellington pour in seven 3s in a half against Miami in 2009. More than he loved the Heels, though, my dad hated Duke. Coach K—his stiff authoritarian approach, his joyless discipline—represented everything wrong with basketball."

Requiem for a Hoop Dream

A writer remembers his late father through a shared love of basketball, from the scuffed courts of Durham YMCAs to the hallowed stands of the Dean Dome.

indyweek.com

 

[mpaer]

Just read Tar Heel Breed by Scott Whisnant
Nice Carolina Basketball Love book Follows Scott's life with summary's of games intersperesed with his significant life events
Scott was for many years a sports Writer covering UNC for a various NC newspapers. The book includes some self depreciation about the Carolina Way-but is definitely a Carolina Bball is a family thang

 

[donbosco]

"For millions who grew up in ACC territory humming "Sail With The Pilot" and distilling their self-worth down to a three-day tournament in Greensboro, Tar Heel Bred will serve as a warm, poignant and humorous recollection of what it meant to have life milestones marked by North Carolina basketball. Reformed sportswriter Scott Whisnant traces how his fandom guided him through theological crises, awkward puberty, family discord, racial awakening, dating and finally starting a family of his own. North Carolina fans will enjoy this rich history of Tar Heel basketball told from a personal perspective many of them will recognize and share."

Tar Heel Bred: Whisnant, Scott: 9798218598815: Amazon.com: Books

Tar Heel Bred [Whisnant, Scott] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Tar Heel Bred

www.amazon.com

Sounds like I need to read it.

 

[OldWHEEL]

I was my dad’s only child to attend UNC. We shared a deep love for Carolina basketball even though we didn’t live there nor had we grown up in North Carolina. As he aged, he couldn’t stand to watch tv games live so I would call after to let him know if he should turn on the video or “don’t bother”. I lived well over a thousand miles from him but we stayed so close because of our similar love. The year he died, he knew he didn’t have long. Regrets, he had a few…he had read all about Carolina’s recruiting but knew fully well he’d never live to see them play. I couldn’t even watch for a few years and I was an idiot fan. It was just too much. Great timing…1999…was the beginning of a tough road for us.

 

[BoonetheAiredale]

"Paul was a Heels fan. In our younger years, he took my brother and me to the Dean Dome for a handful of games each season, and we watched the program and the ACC evolve. We saw Chris Paul and Wake down UNC in triple overtime in 2003, saw David Noel knock out mighty Gardner-Webb with an early-season buzzer-beater in 2005, and watched Wayne Ellington pour in seven 3s in a half against Miami in 2009. More than he loved the Heels, though, my dad hated Duke. Coach K—his stiff authoritarian approach, his joyless discipline—represented everything wrong with basketball."

Requiem for a Hoop Dream

A writer remembers his late father through a shared love of basketball, from the scuffed courts of Durham YMCAs to the hallowed stands of the Dean Dome.

indyweek.com

That was fucking great.

 

[donbosco]

My Deddy never played basketball. He lost all but his thumb of his left hand at 13 years old in a Molasses Mill accident. Needless to say we also didn't play catch. But he did love the game and from my youngest recollections we went here and there to watch high school and even 7-8th grade games. And of course Tar Heel games. Before they were always on the TV we listened to Bill Currie and then Woody religiously. We listened to state games if Carolina wasn't playing. He and my Momma never missed a single varsity game of mine and he could talk strategy and talent with the best of them. Later, when I was in my 30s and 40s we'd talk over the phone about upcoming games and my phone would ring pretty regularly as soon as halftime began so we could talk about the first half. Sometimes there were post-game calls as well but if Carolina lost we didn't talk for at least a day. That's a pretty good idea.

Damn I miss that. He's been gone now for 15 years.

 

[BoonetheAiredale]

So long ago...my dad and I used to watch/listen to Carolina games religiously. When we lived in Raleigh (Brentwood neighborhood) back in the 70s if Carolina won the ACC tournament I'd go out in the driveway and lay on the car horn just to annoy the state fan neighbors on each side of us. Good times. I remember listening to Woody and getting hyped for the season with the "Big Four" in state tournament.

I also remember moving to White Lake in 81 and watching Carolina lose to an Isiah Thomas led Indianna team, I think I was 12 or 13. What a sad spring we experienced together. Redemption came in 82 and we experienced a shared joy that was/is nearly indescribable. That's what Carolina basketball is...shared emotions that frame forever memories. My dad and I were always close, but that joyous hug after a national championship, for a moment, encompassed everything possibly good in the world.

By 84 he was gone and I was left with a gaping hole, but I would and always will have those basketball memories. Holding his hand when games got tight, crying in his shoulder after some random loss to State, so many hugs when "we" won, invaluable opportunities to talk about the work needed to meet expectations of excellence.

If I could, I would so sincerely thank Dean Smith for enhancing my childhood and creating so much joy between me and my dad.

 

[Patb78]

My Deddy never played basketball. He lost all but his thumb of his left hand at 13 years old in a Molasses Mill accident. Needless to say we also didn't play catch. But he did love the game and from my youngest recollections we went here and there to watch high school and even 7-8th grade games. And of course Tar Heel games. Before they were always on the TV we listened to Bill Currie and then Woody religiously. We listened to state games if Carolina wasn't playing. He and my Momma never missed a single varsity game of mine and he could talk strategy and talent with the best of them. Later, when I was in my 30s and 40s we'd talk over the phone about upcoming games and my phone would ring pretty regularly as soon as halftime began so we could talk about the first half. Sometimes there were post-game calls as well but if Carolina lost we didn't talk for at least a day. That's a pretty good idea.

Damn I miss that. He's been gone now for 15 years.

My father and I use to do the same thing. Though he went to Clemson, he pulled more for the Heels. He told people he had given more money to UNC than Clemson (my brother and I both went to UNC). I especially remember our conversations at the half of the 2009 championship game and after the game. My granddaughter is a junior at Alabama. Her boyfriend came to visit for New Year’s. We watched the Baja/IU game. He kept calling his dad during the game. I told him about my dad and me. I took all of them to the FSU game. He loved the history on display there.