Papa & Basketball

Oh, how I love NBA basketball! 16 months ago, I was just the typical non sports watching female. I never scheduled my time around games, nor would I have EVER paid $200 for Dish to give me the "NBA League Pass" channels. Then, something miraculous happened. In February 2008, I moved in with my grandparents to care for them. My Papa was always a huge sports fan. He loved basketball, both NBA and college (Go UCLA) and football. Well, being in their home, they rule the remote control. Inevitably, the games were on. I saw the joy that Papa got and the energy that was fed straight from the TV to his lazy chair. It made him forget his physical pains and focus on the skill and strength of the players.
Seeing this excitement and change of attitude, I got in on it. We watched every single game (particularly UCLA, USC and the Lakers) together. When Papa was too weak to stay up after 9:30, I would put him to bed and peek in from time to time to let him know the score. We did this for months, even through the Olympics, until his passing in Jan 09. I treasure those games where he taught me everything he knew about the game, former and current players and coaches, new rules and regulations, different screens etc. His love of the Lakers (I was born and raised in LA) just lit the fire in me even more. My Papa at 96 had a TERRIFIC, PERFECT memory. He never forgot a thing and this boiled over to basketball. It never ceased to amaze me.
So, as NBA playoffs are upon us, it has done great to sooth my soul. I feel the electricity, the anticipation, and above all, I feel connected to my best friend, my Papa, who I KNOW takes the time from his busy days in heaven and sits in his recliner and cheers on the Lakers with me.