As a student at Gonzaga University and a big fan of the basketball team there, I’ve been to some pretty loud and intense basketball games. I’ve painted my face, shouted insults at the refs, and been a proud part of a 1,200-person student section jumping up and down and yelling what amounts to a war cry when the other team has the ball.
While these are all normal and expected things to do at basketball games, Seattle fans crossed the line at the final Sonics’ playoff game. When Tim Duncan fell to the floor with what looked like a very painful foot injury, many in the crowd cheered as loud as they could. Fortunately, once Duncan got up and started walking around, another part of the crowd (though seemingly a much smaller part) started cheering in an effort to drown out the cheers that rained when Duncan was down. Good for them, and thank you.
But shame on the people who cheered at the sight of an injury. Tim Duncan is indisputably one of the best players in the NBA today, and he plays with heart, style and, above all, class. It’s not as if he punched one of our players earlier in the game and maybe had what was coming. He was one of 10 guys on the floor pouring their heart and soul into a very good basketball game.
I know the game is intense and all the fans are into it (believe me, I’ve been there), but that’s all the more reason to cheer for a player who’s working his butt off and providing incredible entertainment.
Thank you again to the fans who cheered when he got up. But the other fans made me and surely countless others embarrassed to live in the Seattle area.
Greg Standal
Everett
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