If I’m going to do this wrong, I want to do it wrong in the direction of being empathetic and understanding to somebody who’s going through something horrible.
What role does hope play in basketball? That’s a BASKETBALL FEELINGS prompt if I’ve ever seen one, but it’s also something I’ve felt thrumming as a through-line through Dan Devine’s work. It’s why I read Dan, it’s why I like him, but it’s also why he’s rare. Rather than malign and pile on a team losing, a storyline spinning out, or an athlete falling apart in real-time like the sports media machine can often encourage, Dan veers the other way. He’ll unravel a loose thread in a story you can tie around your finger like a reminder to be curious; he’ll weather forecast you a silver lining.
So, we talked about that.
We also talked about “pathways to joy” (- Dan Devine), the budding new feeling of an NBA season starting, the rhythms of a season, and how those run up against or interfere with real life. Plus, the importance of having a life outside of basketball, or at least having people whose eyes glaze over when you talk too long about it with them.
Another thing I’ve admired about Dan and found relief in as an observer and woman in this world is the way he’s engaged with stories of violence and assault in basketball. I wondered whether the way he approaches unpacking these stories has changed over his career, if he’s made a conscious decision to adjust the way he writes or talks about them, and how we all can best try to do the same.
Oh, here is Dan’s pick in the BASKETBALL FEELINGS Feelings Draft: Joy.
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