As the NHL Playoffs have gotten underway, it had me thinking of a tradition in hockey that I love. A tradition that is not seen in other sports, and I truly wish there was more of. I am speaking of when, after beating the snot out of each other for four to seven games, all 25 men line up on the ice and shake hands and exchange a few words of respect. I love that! That is the true meaning of sportsmanship in my opinion.
When we were all young and playing in our community leagues, this is what we were taught. The reason I bring this up, is that many times in professional sports today, there seems to be a little too much sportsmanship. What I mean is I cannot stand seeing NBA players walk out onto the court before a game and every single player freakin’ HUGS his opponent! Save it for after you have played 48 minutes. This will happen before every NBA playoff game in the upcoming weeks and months. I do not want to see Dwight Howard smack LeBron James to the hardwood to prevent a poster dunk, and then help him up as if he was sorry he did it.
I see this type of thing every time I turn on the TV to watch a game. I see linebackers crunching a running back to the ground and then offering a helping hand up. NO! He is the opposition. He is the enemy for 60 minutes. Treat him as such! I have no proof, but I doubt that Bill Russell hugged Wilt Chamberlain before each game. I know, I know, Isaiah and Magic practically made out on the court, but I would never question their desire to win. I guess in the end that is what I am getting at. As a fan, I do not want my heroes to like the guys on the other team. I do not want to see them exchange dinner plans before they hit the field or court. I want to know that they share the same passionate dislike for them as I do.
Maybe they don’t. There are reasons for this of course: Free agency, the fact that they are paid so much, share the same agents, and hang out at the same resorts in the off-season. I am not saying that today’s athletes are not driven to win, merely that I would like them to show a little less love to their opponents before a game or series. Be friends later. I can remember playing ball with buddies of mine and we would trade elbows for an hour, and curse and glare at each other. Then bump fists and have a beer. That’s how it should be.
Recently, after being traded to Phoenix, Shaq was leveled to the floor during a game. I believe it was Tim Duncan, but don’t quote me, tried to help him up. Shaq refused. Message sent. You are not my friend. Big shocker: Shaq has 4 rings. Give me more of that type. In hockey, they get paid well, but they also still seem to be some of the most down to earth guys in sports (Even if no one knows it). They are a “man’s man”. Do battle. Pour your heart out on the floor, field, or ice. May the best man/men win. To clarify, I am all for respect and sportsmanship, just save it until after you have done what you came there to do: Which at the professional level, should be to win. Now line up and shake hands fellas!
the handshake line after a stanley cup playoff series is overrated. football players shake hands after every game, same with the majority of NBA teams after their playoff series ends. Only difference is the NHL makes a spectacle out of it.
Thanks for the comment. Obviously I disagree. My point wasn’t that other sports don’t shake hands at the end, but that there is too much love before a game takes place. Watch every NBA game and see them hugging BEFORE the game. That I don’t like. Do hockey players hug and smack the butt of their opponent at faceoff. The main point was I am all for sportsmanship, just save until after the game.