Can't currently find a link to it on-line, but there is a fascinating article in last week's issue of Sports Illustrated on Jerry West. I was a former sports writer before getting into by current technology business writing gig, and still have a fascination (second time using that word) with well-written sports articles. There is a whole Prometheus (not Reggie Theus) comparison to West in this article, but what makes it pertinent to this blog, is how he turned depression into greatness. I guess the Prometheus comparison is apt in this sense.
It it interesting how many people who achieve what we consider to be greatness are driven by darkness, such as depression. I remember half-jokingly having a conversation with one of my friends about this topic. He (who also has kids) uttered something to the effect of, "don't be nice to your kids, they'll never achieve anything that way. You need to make it tough on them," but I think it was a little more off-color than that. Although we were joking, as there often is in humor, there was certainly some truth in there.
West was beaten regularly by his father. He hated him and hated to go home, which is one reason he was constantly practicing basketball. West would then go out of his way to try and find an angle he could use to fuel his anger against opposing players. He knew he played better when pissed off.
This article was written in conjunction with a recent autobiography published by West. In it, he talks about how miserable he was, and even psychotic. In one scene he paints of himself and the way he reacts to a steakhouse's attempts to cook a meal to his liking truly shows he has some issues. Yet, also I've read statements where West says he considers himself the luckiest guy around. Go figure.
Anyhow, West's life seems to be an interesting dichotomy of misery and glory. "From great depths we can assail great heights," or something like that. Similar to the dichotomy of dark and light.
One final thought. Some people have theorized on what made West write such an honest biography when most top notch athletes just mail it in - taking the easy road and discussing their triumphs, while leaving out all the misery that drove them to scale to such great heights. West didn't do that obviously. My theory is that his competitiveness and drive, and perfectionist attitude made him really just want to write a really great book.
It it interesting how many people who achieve what we consider to be greatness are driven by darkness, such as depression. I remember half-jokingly having a conversation with one of my friends about this topic. He (who also has kids) uttered something to the effect of, "don't be nice to your kids, they'll never achieve anything that way. You need to make it tough on them," but I think it was a little more off-color than that. Although we were joking, as there often is in humor, there was certainly some truth in there.
West was beaten regularly by his father. He hated him and hated to go home, which is one reason he was constantly practicing basketball. West would then go out of his way to try and find an angle he could use to fuel his anger against opposing players. He knew he played better when pissed off.
This article was written in conjunction with a recent autobiography published by West. In it, he talks about how miserable he was, and even psychotic. In one scene he paints of himself and the way he reacts to a steakhouse's attempts to cook a meal to his liking truly shows he has some issues. Yet, also I've read statements where West says he considers himself the luckiest guy around. Go figure.
Anyhow, West's life seems to be an interesting dichotomy of misery and glory. "From great depths we can assail great heights," or something like that. Similar to the dichotomy of dark and light.
One final thought. Some people have theorized on what made West write such an honest biography when most top notch athletes just mail it in - taking the easy road and discussing their triumphs, while leaving out all the misery that drove them to scale to such great heights. West didn't do that obviously. My theory is that his competitiveness and drive, and perfectionist attitude made him really just want to write a really great book.
