Arrogance vs. Humility

The Golden State Warriors won the NBA Championship last night and the folks in Northern California are jumping for joy . . . again! (We love our San Francisco Giants too.) The series was exciting, hard fought, and won by a worthy team. What I enjoyed most about the Warriors was just that. They were a “team”, working hard to make it happen. When they won, they were like a bunch of little kids jumping up and down and basking in that electrifying moment. What a thrill for the coaches, the players, their families, and their fans.

Along the way to the finish line, however, a couple of nasty traits reared their ugly heads. I don’t intend to dwell, but I noticed. First was acute bias. In my mind, the announcers were more than a bit one-sided in their calling of the game. At my house, in frustration, we had to mute them a few times. Two sets of players (that would be ten individuals) were on the floor at all times, but the broadcasters who called the game didn’t seem to notice.

This championship series was not about one player even though “he” has been dubbed a king. (Yes, it is fair to say he is a fantastic player.) This, though, brings me to the second issue: arrogance. LeBron James is arrogant, and that is an obnoxious characteristic. I understand he has contributed in myriad wonderful ways to his state of Ohio and has made a real difference in the lives of young people there; however, his profound display of arrogance and bravado, particularly when he (and I do mean “he”) was up against a wall was nauseating. I wish he had taken another tack. I, for one, would rather appreciate and remember his performance and his philanthropic deeds rather than his attitude, but, unfortunately, the latter overshadowed.

Arrogance in any form is annoying to me. Who is one person to announce to the universe that he or she is better than anyone else? Money, talent, station, or intelligence should not become pedestals on which one stands and lauds himself or herself over others. We all are different and each of us has our own strengths. It’s as simple as that. So here’s to a little humility and the realization that, yes, indeed, when all is said and done, we all will arrive at the same finish line.