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SPORTS DADS SAY, “PLAY MY KID IF YOU’RE SMART”

Sports dads come in every flavor between sweet and sour. They come with vast experience, and none. What they know for sure is their kid is better than your kid and should play more than he does. With that attitude, what can go wrong?

TALKING BACK? DON’T BACKTALK ME SON

Talking back is a right and a privilege, but it comes with a caveat: It may not be as appreciated as you’d hope. The great Randy Johnson said it well with: “I don’t care who you are, don’t get in my face!” the 6-10 Johnson snapped at one point as they brushed past the cameraman. […]

GOLD WATCH OR GOLD MEDAL

This gold watch was once the most desired piece of jewelry on any wrist. If you didn’t wear a Seiko watch, who were you? This one came from San Antonio, Texas after the owner whipped the strongest man he’d ever met in arm wrestling. After that it was a gold medal.

BROKEN DREAMS? HERE’S THE GLUE

Broken dreams need more than glue, but you’ve got to start somewhere. Will glue fix the hurt from a broken heart? Will it help heal connections? Can glue bring back the good feelings you remember? If you are the glue, there’s a chance.

PERSONAL GOLIATHS AND HOW TO SLAY THEM

My first personal Goliaths, like most everyone growing up with parents, were my parents. I knew they were unslayable from the start. One because they were giants most of my early life, and two, they were my parents. What are you thinking? Besides, my dad had been a Marine Drill Instructor and my mom was […]

PORTLAND SUBURBAN LIFESTYLE DREAM: “LEAVES?”

Inner-city life boils down to one dream about changing to a suburban lifestyle, even a Portland suburb: To lay in grass that isn’t a urinal, a spittoon, or a goose crapped landing patch. It’s a big dream for big people. Some make it, some don’t. How does a Portland suburban lifestyle dream begin? I’ll tell […]

LILLARD TIME? CHECK THE CLOCK

Lillard time happens when you join Wilt Chamberlain as the only other NBA player to log three sixty point games in one season. It’s happened enough for Kobe Bryant competitiveness comparisons. And he’s the best thing to happen to the Portland Trail Blazers in every way. Is that saying too much? Not for Blazer fans.

HOW BASKETBALL CREATED A COMMUNITY OF FRIENDSHIP

Basketball is one of then smaller teams in team sports. Baseball carries nine players the field, football eleven, but only five for hoops. And it’s the only one of the big three where players can compete one on one. In the other sports the most you can do with two is play catch.

YOUTH SPORTS, THE FIRST IMPRESSION LASTS A LIFETIME

If the question is ever asked, “Why bother with youth sports,” there’s an easy answer. When you overhear someone slamming organized athletics, do you have a response? If not, why not? Try this on for size.

BASKETBALL COURT: A DATE WITH HISTORY FROM THE DRIVEWAY

A basketball court is today’s proving ground for American youth. Like other kids of a certain generation, though, baseball was my first proving ground. After I proved I wasn’t very good at it, something about a weak arm and slow legs, the basketball court replaced the diamond. Instead of going to a lumpy field, I […]