When I wrote some four months ago that it was fine for Indiana Pacers forward Paul George to seek a new professional ZIP code, I received quite the backlash from many of you who thought he’d never leave. How could he after all the Pacers had provided and with all those adoring fans? Well that ship has sailed, and while his former team continues to struggle with it, my question is, why are so many of you doing the same? Seriously, why all the dissection of what he brought in return as a result of the trade to Oklahoma City, and why do you cling to the obligatory farewell message and pictures he provided to all you faithful via his Instagram account? Forget the fact that I’ve mentioned a gazillion times that this thing with P.G. would end badly for all of you sporting his signature shoes, as that was easy to predict. What I cannot figure out is why those who do not live vicariously through their athletic idols (I know there’s a few of you like me out there) are even remotely upset with something so insignificant compared to real problems.
Indulge me if you will for a moment, and think about what’s really important in this crazy world, your community and what really matters to you. Stop and look at the violence on the streets and how our young people are dying at a clip that is mind-boggling. Education is the answer, right? Well, take a gander at IPS as they prepare to jettison three prominent high schools in our city, and tell me why that’s not as important as No. 13’s field goal percentage. Then think about how one out of every five children in this community go to bed hungry every night, as opposed to a monster slam dunk at the end of a fast break. That should offer some perspective on what we all should be looking at instead of a box score without George’s name in it. Am I preaching priorities too much here? I sure hope so, as its ludicrous to view it in any other fashion. Sure, basketball is a great game and I’ve made a tidy sum via various professional endeavors related to such, but I never thought a free agent booking out of town was as important as it is to provide resources for the poor and to strengthen our schools.
For those of you who feel I’m exaggerating, give me a shout and I’ll show you some of the most ridiculous and downright hateful emails I’ve received since writing that it’s OK for George to split. That doesn’t include the myriad text messages and even a few phone calls, and while I’m glad you folks are reading what I offer up, it’s amazing to me where some of your priorities actually are. Again, it’s time to let it go. I can list a thousand things you can do with your time as opposed to ranting about the matter, such as reading to your child, enjoying the various aspects of Mother Nature in our public parks or volunteering at a local nursing home. You might find spending a day working at a local food bank or homeless shelter to be just as invigorating as your former favorite Pacer hitting a 3-pointer, and you just might get hooked on the natural high that stems from it. Got a car and a few hours a week on your hands? Get involved with Meals on Wheels and deliver some nutrition to a fellow Pacer fan who could use a little help from you. Again, there’s a ton of ways you can get involved, and I’m betting that once you experience the joy of helping someone who is less fortunate, you’ll be a lot happier and will forget about who is no longer playing for your beloved Blue and Gold.
For those of you who think I’m patronizing you, well maybe you’re right. Then again, if the departure of an athlete is that important to you in terms of your life, then someone needs to pour a cup of reality for you and set it on your nightstand. Not for me to do, you say? Fine, I’m out of here, but please don’t continue wasting your time on the silliness that is professional sports in this country, and let go of the anger associated with a basketball player allegedly disappointing you for what he feels is greener pastures. Channel that energy in to something positive. Help build a playground for a child, spend time at a library or a museum or in your garden. Take a walk on a beautiful day with your loved ones, but don’t waste your time bloviating about why someone you really don’t even know wants to be somewhere else. Don’t take it personally, as it’s not nearly as important as everything surrounding you that you’re neglecting as a result. Ride your bike. Listen to some music. Have some ice cream.
Burning your George jersey may seem like the right thing to do, but think of the environment and donate it to your favorite thrift store instead. Something tells me you’re going to get through this, but it’s really hard for me to understand why it is such a big deal to begin with.
I’ll get off the soapbox now and invite you to do the same. Let it go; he’s gone, and you’ll be fine. Life is good, and Paul George is enjoying it. I think it’s time you did the same.
Danny Bridges, who wishes Paul George (and all his detractors) the very best, can be reached at (317) 370-8447 or at Bridgeshd@aol.com.
