I'm Not Afraid to Say the "Bad Boys" Were My Friends

In my last blog, I said that I am no longer able to take refuge in sports.  Yesterday, I watched ESPN's 30 for 30 movie about the Bad Boys of the Detroit Pistons.  It reminded me of two things.  First is that political correctness has taken such root in the United States, that making something from nothing may now only be a fairy tale from the past.  More importantly, I was reminded that sports taught me more about life, than any classroom could.  Let's take a look what the Bad Boys taught me.

Isaiah Thomas and Bill Laimbeer taught me that no matter how far apart our worlds may be, a common goal can bring anybody together.

The 1986 Playoffs taught me that the will to succeed, is far more important than the ability to succeed.

The 1987 Playoffs taught me to never let the moment get too big.  One should never let the highs get too high, or the lows get too low.

The 1988 Playoffs taught me the even if you do everything it takes to succeed, one person in a position of power can take it all away.  Unfortunately, the lesson this year should have been the amazing human ability to overcome the greatest of adversity.

The 1989 Playoffs taught me that nothing will ever be given to you, you have to take it.

The off season taught me that if you don't follow the Good Ole' Boys Club's path, they will change the rules.

The 1990 Playoffs taught me that when you are on top, you must make even greater sacrifices to stay there,

The next off season showed me that there is no end to how much the Good Ole' Boys Club will change the rules to push "those who don't belong" out.

The 1991 Playoffs taught me that marketing is more important than character.  I also learned that everything is temporary.  Failure is temporary.  Success is temporary.  Life is temporary.  Make the most of every day.  You never know when it may end, but be assured it will end someday.

More than anything, the movie marked possibly the saddest lesson of all.  Making something from nothing, may forever be something left in the past.  I can only hope that politically correct marketing and entertainment is temporary.  It's been a long 25 years.

I told you what I learned, and the years I learned it.  I did not tell you how or why I learned it.  The truth is that if you don't already know, then the Bad Boys were never your friends.