December 13th, 2015 | Uncategorized
Every basketball player has them, whether they admit it or not. That’s right, I’m talking about superstitions.
Yes, I know that thinking that the lucky penny I keep in my shoe in any way contributes to how my teammates and I perform on the court is a bit silly. And maybe the fact that I have to wear either two right socks or two left socks on game day (never a left and a right) is even more absurd. But so what? So what if I have to make my last shot before finishing warm ups or if I have to wipe the bottom of my shoes with my hands before every free throw?
People sometimes criticize others for their superstitions. They argue that these things have nothing to do with the game and that they are just stupid. But I’m not one to judge. Maybe that’s because I don’t have a right to, after refusing to change the laces in my basketball shoes even though they’ve both ripped now and I’ve had to tie them back together. How could I possibly get new laces when the Wildcats have been winning while I’ve had these laces? It’s simply too risky. Sometimes when you’ve got a good thing going, you go a little crazy trying to keep it that way. So you keep in your same routines, even when some of the things you do don’t logically have anything to do with how you play.
I think that superstitions reveal passion. If someone is willing to go to the trouble to repeat a number of random, ridiculous tasks in the hopes of maintaining success, it simply shows that they are passionate. So basketball players, don’t be ashamed of your superstition. You are just passionate about your sport. Maybe even crazy about it.
Victory Scholar: Katie Fox
Present University: Waterford IT
US League: NEC
Club/Community Partner: Waterford Wildcats
Alma Mater: St. Francis College
Sponsored by: Teamwear Ireland
