reggie reggie reggie

i know that this typically has been my church and ministry blog, but in the midst of a big wedding and a difficult funeralm the nba playoffs have also had my attention
playoffs generally maintain my attention because it is the origional and purest form of reality shows. not that these shows reveal our reality--but they are a commentary of the moral values and social reality in which we live. playoffs offer us a glimpse of the character of individuals, but the reaction and commentary of announcers and crowd tell us a lot about the state of our society.

growing up in the middle of nowhere IN, i naturally became a huge fan of all things hoosier. that was easy to do in the 80's when the college teams were winning--but not easy to admit professionally with a struggling colts and pacers franchises. those were the days when the pacers hopes rested on guys named Fleming, Kellog (yes Clark from March Madness fame), and Tisdale. hope came in the late 80's, but not in the form of a player named Person, but in the unlikely scrawny frame of a rookie from UCLA named reggie

reggie was better known as the little brother of Cheryl Miller -- perhaps one of the best female basketball players ever. he had always been scrawny, a lasting reminder of the thin metal braces that once enabled the weak reggie to stand up and walk as a child. he grew up the underdog, he played as the underdog, and battled for a city that was annually the underdog. indianapolis didn't embrace reggie -- when his name was called at the draft, he and the franchise were booed. they initially wanted to choose i.u. standout, Steve Alford who had just one a national championship

after an 18 year career, this Hollywood bruin became endeared to the hearts of hoosiers for his work ethic, local charity, and bulldog tenacity that made a once struggling franchise an annuall playoff contender. but this year, he announced it was time to hang 'em up, even though at age 39 he could still carry a struggling and embattled franchise

last week, his season and career were ended by the defending champion Detroit Pistons. (married to a Detroit girl, i know a lot about their team as well). staring retirement in the face, reggie gave the Pistons and pacer fans a game to remember--scoring almost a point a minute, he willed the pacers on to the end. but in the end, with 15 seconds left on the clock -- it was time to walk away. to walk away without yet winning the championship

when his number was called, the whole building knew what that meant--walking to the bench was a long walk--but everyone stood and cheered for the hometown hero as if he had won. then, in what may have been the classiest demonstrations of sportsmanship in professional sports, pistons coach (and former pacers coach) Larry Brown took the timeout the pacers couldn't, and stood up to join the applause as he walked toward the indiana bench. his assistants, and team followed, joining the applause and cheerleading the crowd.

in the press conference that followed, reggie summed up his career and the peace he felt about retirement in two words, 'i tried'. he didn't allow illness, criticism, referees, competition, shot blockers, missed shots, lack of talent, suspensions, or injuries get in his way -- for 18 years, he stuck with the team that took him, and he tried day in, day out for them and the city.

to grow up hoosier means to grow annually disrespected in the sports world. for the state that bears the motto "amateur sports capital of the world," it's always the underdog. but for 18 years, there was a player who looked the big dogs in the face and was willing to keep fighting. the day after reggie's farewell, sports commentators argued on his legacy -- not a great player, but a very good player--just the last of the golden age (80-90's) of the nba to hang 'em up.

he may not have been one of the greatest -- but he was great for the nba and for indiana. he was the david playing the goliath's each week (Bird's Celtics, Isaiah's pistons, Ewing's knicks, Jordan's bulls, even Shaq's lakers). usually our society only celebrates success and championships, but for a moment last week, a portion of our society celebrated effort.

in the course of our life, there will always be obstacles -- you can focus on the obstacle, using it as an excuse. or you can put your energy behind your effort and let the results be decided. thankfully, as a believer, we are assured of the ultimate victory, won by our Savior, Jesus Christ. but daily the battles rage, souls are in jeopardy and our effort is required. above my desk i have three words that remind me to make the effort -- three words strung together by Mother Teresa, "Faithfulness, not Success." God calls us to be faithful, let His Spirit make up the difference, and leave the results in His capable hands.

"To the faithful you show yourself faithful," ~ Psalm 18:25

"His master replied, `Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!' ~ Matthew 25:23