The point of this post, however, is not to reflect on the Knicks' woes, but rather to see life through the eras of three great players. The first player is Michael Jordan, whom I believe is still the greatest basketball player who ever lived. I have just seen him crush great Knicks teams and drive that dagger into all Knicks fans' hearts too many times. I will always believe he was and is the best. I started to enjoy basketball when I was in elementary school because of him.
When he played on the Washington Wizards, slow and out of shape, not only did that mark the end of an era, but it also signified I was now a young adult. My world wasn't all about what was happening in the NBA. I was thinking about ministry and marriage and life. But then, Kobe Bryant burst onto the scene, a mini-Michael.
I never liked Kobe either but who can deny his greatness. He was spectacular as a scorer with the same type of drive that MJ had. He even spoke like Michael Jordan. You just got the sense he wanted to be MJ 2 or even the better Michael or the reigning best player in the world. His run coincided with my time in the Bay Area, where I had the opportunity to church plant and pastor for now almost 16 years. I also raised my children in his time, have seen my hair gray, my body ache, and my eyes go from good to bad (oh, I also now have age and sun spots). I am almost past middle age, yikes! Kobe's breaking down body reminds me of mine.
To see Steph Curry, then is to remember youth, that is, speed, vibrancy, buoyancy, life. But it also reminds me that I am truly a vanishing mist. When he retires, what will I be like then? Will I still be in this world? Will I have had a father-bride dance? Will I be a grandpa, gulp? Will I be on Social Security (No, because social security will be bankrupt)? Life just keeps moving. As James says: "What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes." (James 4:14)
Life is meant to be more than simply watching basketball or going on vacations or working till you're bone dry or raising a family. Jesus says in Mark 8:36: "For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?" Watching these three players come and go is a reminder that Jesus' words hold true.