Wednesday, May 6, 2009
In a coffee shop downtown, there sits a beleaguered student. His right hand loosely grips what was once an iced mocha. Several hours have passed since he ordered it, and now the drink more closely resembles dirty water than an espresso-infused treat.
The student’s left hand dances across the keyboard and grazes the finger pad of an Apple laptop, popping up tab after tab of information detailing the lives and ideas of long-dead white men — the subject of an epic research paper that demands completion by the next day.
To his left, there sits a figure with a similar disposition. The table in front of him displays a haphazard collage of notes, books and sticky notes. An arsenal of highlighters sits available at his right hand, next to a three-times filled and emptied mug, stained with its former dark roasted contents. His earbuds betray faint whispers of indie rock; his head nods a tacit confirmation that yes, the studying will continue.
Spending any length of time pondering which NBA team might have a starting point guard opening with Kirk Hinrich’s name on it seems to be an unequivocal waste of time with so much work to complete. Continuing to daydream about how dominant Kansas’ basketball team will be next season seems equally foolish, as does expending mental energy that could be used for schoolwork stressing about the question marks littering Kansas’ defensive secondary.
Some would say that these are trivial concerns, and that they shouldn’t receive any attention — especially not in early May. They’re correct about the nature of these matters, but their conclusion is backward.
Now, more than ever, the power of sports to distract is a saving grace.
Up until recently, Jayhawk fans could temporarily ignore their real-life drama — instead immersing themselves in the “will they or won’t they” Henry brothers’ saga. When the tale reached its happy ending, fears of footnotes could be replaced by fantasies of basketball greatness.
While Kansas basketball’s future looks bright, two members of its past played starring roles in the near-perfect basketball drama that was Bulls-Celtics. Kirk Hinrich, relegated to the bench in favor of rookie Derrick Rose, provided a starter’s minutes and production — not to mention the tenacity it takes for an undersized and under-talented underdog to nearly upset the defending champs. Opposite Hinrich, reigning NBA Finals MVP Paul Pierce teamed with Ray Allen to callously kill off Chicago’s playoff dreams. The series was basketball stranger than fiction, and a welcome respite from less-Hollywood realities.
In sports, even real concerns are displaced — or at least accented — by hope. Fears that Kansas’ defense may be lacerated by Big 12 spread attacks exist but are dismissed by envisioning consistent 40-point outbursts orchestrated by Todd Reesing.
Still, stresses sometimes mount to the point when quitting seems an attractive option. For those who feel that way, know that pitching prodigy turned virtuoso and Sports Illustrated cover boy Zack Greinke had similar feelings about baseball not so long ago.
All of this is to say that, although May brings a feeling of dread along with its blooming flowers, sports can provide temporary salvation. As for motivation — keep looking at the bottom of that coffee cup.
— — Edited by Brandy Entsminger
Kirk Hinrich remains a Jayhawk legend
After shaking hands with Obama, Hinrich prepares to retire his jersey at ...
NBA Jayhawks prove disappointing for Nystrom
Thor Nystrom explains how former Jayhawk basketball players, like Wayne Simien and ...
Davis: Who can stop Wade?
Hinrich and Collison to return to Allen ...
Fans of KU basketball and the NBA can look forward to the ...
Where will all the Jayhawks go?
As three Jayhawks hope to become first round picks in Thursday night's ...
Hinrich will return to Lawrence to retire ...
Whenever his schedule with the Chicago Bulls allows, expect No. 10 to ...
Stars gather for pro-am league
Current Jayhawks, NBA players meet in Kansas City for top-tier competition
Sarraf: Ex-Jayhawks abound in playoffs
With the playoffs here, NBA teams are finally playing like they care, ...
Arizona matchup to bring back memories
It may have been ten years ago, but Jayhawk fans and players ...
On Senior Day, ’05 recruits are missed
Rush, Chalmers, Wright, and Downs, though moved on, may have formed Kansas’ ...
Flying the coop: Jayhawks in the NBA
Kansas has produced several college basketball stars, who are becoming the newest ...
Lysen: Players like T-Rob make us thankful
Robinson's trials and tribulations make him uniquely a member of the Kansas ...
Jayhawks in the NBA playoffs
Several former Kansas players have shots at the NBA Championship.
Morning Brew: Never trust a man named ...
Don “Moose” Lewis proposes an American basektball league made up of white ...
Brew: Bittersweet time for Chicago teams
Although the Blackhawks are losing 3-0 to the Vancouver Canucks, Bulls fans ...
Morning Brew: Life after the Phog
Pierce and Hinrich stand out among the former Jayhawks playing in the ...
Morning Brew: KU well-represented in NBA playoffs
Familiar names help keep Jayhawk fans interested in the NBA postseason.
Taking care of business
After a grueling day at the basketball factory, Sherron Collins and Julian ...
Wiebe: Allen Fieldhouse still the best
Hinrich, team, fans still feel the electricity of the building.
Blog: Top ten Border War moments
Sam Kovzan breaks down his 10 favorite border war moments
Beecher: Focus on future, not past
Fans, players and coaches alike are constantly looking forward to ‘next year.’
Hornets "extremely happy" to have Wright
Former Jayhawk Julian Wright was drafted by the New Orleans Hornets on ...
Morning Brew: Aldrich shows Collison-esque qualities
Rustin's random Top 5s and a Collison sighting.
Beecher: Focus on future, not past
Fans, players and coaches alike are constantly looking forward to ‘next year.’
Beecher: the schedule can make or break ...
Alex Beecher discusses the difficult schedule for the Kansas football team, and ...
Wanted: Volunteers
Whether it’s for a particular event or a weekly session, lend a ...
Morning Brew: Fans are always overzealous
Being a true sports fan means loving and hating with unwavering passion.
Simien to get his day in the ...
Wayne Simien's jersey will be retired at Saturday's basketball game against Kansas ...
Langford finds success in Russian league
Former Jayhawk star discusses his career abroad, memories from Lawrence, and this ...
For the love of the game
Several one-time KU basketball players have missed out on the riches of ...
Morning Brew: Death in Olympics needs to ...
Safety in dangerous sports is a necessity
Rothman: Simien's "23" retired
Wayne Simien visited Allen Fieldhouse to remember his time at Kansas
Beecher: Darnell Jackson cut from Cavaliers
The former Kansas forward will struggle to find another NBA team.
Sarraf: Looking to the future
Through strong recruiting and consistent coaching, Bill Self is ensuring that the ...
Robinett: Can we be disappointed?
This column was a tough one to put into words. Hey Julian ...
Beecher: Young Jayhawks defy predictions
Taylor, Collins don’t let crowd or importance of game faze them.
Beecher: Kansas might lose its prom date
With Xavier Henry flirting with Kentucky and Lance Stephenson second-guessing, the Jayhawks’ ...
Athletes with children
These KU athletes must find time to excel in both sports and ...
Wright headed to New Orleans
Hornets take former Jayhawk with 13th pick in Thursday's NBA Draft
From left: Kimberlee Hinkle, Libby Johnson and Hannah ...
1 comment
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID