- It’s really not a game
“Why are you such a basketball snob?”
My girlfriend asked me this last weekend while I was trying to articulate my disgust for people who think Deron Williams is a better basketball player than Chris Paul. (Actually, disgust is a bit too strong of a word. Disdain is more appropriate.)
Anyway, she couldn’t understand why I felt comfortable making blanket judgments about a person’s (lack of) basketball acumen and intelligence just because they thought that one great point guard was better than another great point guard, and she called me a snob. I was intentionally taken aback by that suggestion, but I had to admit she was right.
I know more about basketball than anyone reading this, and not only do I know more about NBA basketball than anyone any of you know, I’d wager that I’m more knowledgeable about basketball than you are about anything. While I’m quite polite to those who know they’re not basketball mavens but wish to have a superficial (or educational) basketball-related conversation, if you do fashion yourself to be knowledgeable and you attempt to debate me, I will be as condescending, snarky, patronizing, disdainful, and dismissive as possible if you suggest something that shows you’re not worthy of my engagement. Be warned, and tread lightly, bitch.
I’m sure you don’t give two sh*ts about my snobbery, but that’s not the point. I don’t care if you don’t care. My snobbery has integrity, and even though I’m aware my relationship to basketball probably isn’t that serious to you, it’s more than just plain old “serious” to me.
It’s first falling in love with the sport when my dad took me to see the Harlem Globetrotters play at the Civic Arena on my 6th birthday.
It’s remembering watching the Rockets play The Celtics in the 1986 NBA Finals and (correctly) sensing that the Rockets were grossly over matched, even though I was so young (seven years old) that I still couldn’t quite pronounce “Akeem Olajuwon”.
It’s getting bored with always getting perfect scores when playing the “Name That College” game—being able to recall off the top of your head which university a random NBA player attended—and deciding to play “Name That High School“ instead.
It’s being able to tell what part of the country a point guard is from by watching the way he executes a left-to-right crossover dribble.
It’s playing so much pick-up basketball at so many different parks that you’re now able to identify who can and can’t hoop before watching anyone actually play just by paying attention to what they’re wearing (Note: The guys who play ball in store bought college and NBA jerseys are usually the worst players)
It’s knowing that the dribble move known by ballplayers as “The Shammgod” was actually first done on national TV by Penn’s Jerome Allen in an NCAA tournament game against Antonio Mcdyess’s Alabama in 1995.
It’s being able to tell when a player intentionally throws a slightly off-target pass to an open teammate, throwing his rhythm off and intentionally increasingly the odds he’ll miss the shot, and it’s understanding why someone would do something like that.
It’s being fully aware of the fact that while men are inherently bigger and more athletic, the main reason why high-level men’s players are usually so much better than high-level women is that women typically just haven’t put in as many hours working on their games. (and it’s being confident enough in my basketball knowledge to say something so seemingly sexist without hesitation)
It’s sensing that, even though the stats and game logs might not reflect this, Stephen Jackson always gives Lebron James fits, and it’s watching Kobe get shaken out of his shorts by Tracy Mcgrady in a 2003 game against the Magic, and anticipating that Kobe would do everything in his power to dunk on the entire team the next time he got the ball (He did, btw)
It’s shooting 200 shots a day every day from May to August when I was 11 years old, while my dad rebounded for me and charted my makes and misses. It’s dribbling my basketball through gang-infested neighborhoods and getting a “pass” from the thugs because I was “that little hoopin nigga“. It’s attending a Boys and Girls Club basketball camp in 1991, and first meeting the kid who’d grow to be my closest and oldest friend. It’s not getting a chance to play when taking a team trip to Italy because I tore the ACL in my left knee two months earlier. (But, I did get to hit the nude beaches) It’s crying when first hearing about Hank Gathers, Reggie Lewis, and (my friend and college teammate) Richard Jones, and asking God why a game that’s been so good to me could be so cruel.
Considering the negative connotation attached to the word “snob”, I was initially shocked by my girlfriend’s suggestion because I didn’t want to be seen as one of those people; those insufferable, egg-headed, know-it-alls who don’t miss an opportunity to let you know exactly how much more they know than you do.
But, I’ve reconciled with and accepted my snobbishness in all it’s glory, proudly rocking my snob stripes whenever possible. So, when my girlfriend asked that question, I responded the only way I know how:
“Because I’ve earned it”
Anyway, although my relationship with basketball may seem unique (and a bit obsessive), we each have something we’re unabashedly snobbish about. Whether it’s food or foreign films or pop culture or penis size, every single one of us reading this has a topic we think we know more about than everybody else, a subject that kind of brings out the highbrow and haughty asshole in us when we’re discussing it.
People of VSB.com, what exactly are you a bit of a snob about?
Remember, we’re all family here. Don’t be scurred.
—The Champ
Straighten it out.
I hate snobs, I don’t think you are one. You are just knowledgeable and passionate (fanatic maybe), thats not so bad. I think what I hate most is snobbery without anything to back it up.
Usually, music and literary snobs are the worst at this kind of thing. Anyone could read a book or listen to a song, so I guess since its more subjective, snobbery in these areas is sometimes bizarre. I just want to let people know that looking down upon a person because of the music they listen to is extremely wack. Our generation, we need to straighten it out.
I’m not a snob about anything, but I am a very picky eater. I don’t think that makes me a snob. I just really don’t like things that have mysterious ingredients. Like hot dogs…
I am with you on this. Being knowledgeable about something doesn’t necessarily make you a snob, but I will accept such “snobbery” only from people who can back up their arguments with facts and know what they are talking about. I could care less about anyone’s opinion but bring me some facts and I won’t have a choice but to agree with your argument.
This snobbery topic is reinforcing my disdain for snobbery. It think its just unnecessary because often times people are SIA (Snobs In Action, a sister organization of Haters In Action) and they push aside a group of people because they don’t meet their standards.
You see, I am a victim of SIA. One example I am comfortable sharing is that of the shoe snob. You see, I can’t wear heels or other painful torture contraptions. Its not because I don’t want to wear heels (I want to fit in damnit), its because wearing heels is physically impossible for me. Unless, I want broken ankles, I must obtain from wearing those kinds of shoes.
Growing up, I wore chunky sneakers because my doctor said it was good for me. I moved on to “fashionable” shoes because I got tired of being told that my sneaker game was not on point. Yes, it does sound ridiculous, but even in HS (and to this day) people really have trouble understanding that my shoe choses are very limited. I’ve always felt out of the loop at times with black culture because shoes seem to be slightly important?
Anyway, I think my point is gotten…also to the english snobs, what about the ESL-ers. I’ve known a lot of people be overlooked because they don’t speak English properly and its sad. Some people don’t even make the effort to listen to what the person is saying.
Rant over. It’s gotta end somewhere, this killing’s got to cease
If no one were to fight, we’d all live in peace
“Anyway, I think my point is gotten…also to the english snobs, what about the ESL-ers.”
sucks for them
Unless, I want broken ankles, I must obtain from wearing those kinds of shoes.
I think you meant I must REFRAIN from wearing those kinds of shoes.
I really meant abstain. Typographical error!
I’m a food snob. I hate when people refuse to use quality ingredients or lack creativity when cooking food.
I’m a food snob.
I co-sign. I wasn’t one before, but lately I’m picky. I don’t even like to eat out anymore and prefer to stay home and cook.
I have a severe case of food snobbery. Biggest pet peeve. People whose go to “cook for your mate” meal is Italian. Clearly we can get more creative that pasta, sauce, & cheese. C’mon!!! There are a zillion different cuisines…chose another one.
*choose
DAMN!!! I’M CHOOSING
Apparently food snobbery is what’s hot now-a-days. I’ve dated more than a few women in the past two years who readily turn their noses up at, or could find fault of whatever food she ordered at whatever restaurant I took her to. Oh, and don’t let her be from New Orleans and we’re at a seafood restaurant! I had to dismiss someone on that alone (ok, there was a little more to it than just that.).
I’ve never quite understood all-a-dat. To me food is food. It’s either edibile or not. Sure, some food tastes better than other foods, but in the end, it’s just food. Maybe my perspective is colored by having grown up on jam samiches (sandwiches)- you know, where you jam two slices of bread together and call it a sandwich. When we had actual jam, even better. Sugar samiches were a little better if there was some left after making Flavor-Aid (kinda like Kool-Aid, but not). Syrup samiches were my favorite…especially with the Karo Syrup…but I’ve digressed.
I think it also comes with years of PBS, Food Network, & Travel Channel, & Top Chef.
Oh I lived off of mustard samiches & ramen noodles.
Wow, is that you Pa-pa? (my grandfather)
I was just telling my friend the other day how the Karo syrup is not the same today as it was in the 80′s. It was sweeter and thicker and you didnt feel as hungry (thats prolly cause we were geeked up). But yeah, food is food.
I cosign… food is either good or bad to me alladat “hmmm this cow wasn’t fed roasted corn husk now was it?” mess is for the birds to me. However, growing up I did eat really well, I dunno I guess I just like food period no bells and whistles… syrup samiches makes me sad for you tho… how come y’all didn’t just eat pancakes? Now, I have had syrup on a grilled cheese sandwich and dat sh!t right there son… yummmmm.
Pancakes? Oh I see…you were one o them uppity, high-falutin’, well-ta-do negros, huh; got pancake money and all, eh?
Lol… don’t hate
Mmmm the thought of syrup sandwiches with Brer Rabbit syrup take me back to childhood at my grandparent’s house.
Oh snap…that Brer Rabbit syrup was D-SHIZNIT!!! I forgot about that.
Yes. It. Was. But only on bread though. I’m a “Mrs. Butterworth’s” girl for everything else.
To me food is food. It’s either edibile or not.
I think it’s a palate thing… My dad is the same way. Food is food to him period. Trying to impress him with some exotic ingredients and special cooking technique will only get you a: “this is really good”. Uh? Lol.
While I may understand people feeling like food is food, those people have to also understand that some of us have different palates and we can figure out that the sauce had some caraway seeds in it. To each their own. For me, it’s more of a passion than anything. I don’t mind people who don’t get it (hey I grade A love my dad), but please understand that some of us love our finer foods.
Ditto.
Peace, Love and Chocolate
Tiffany
I am definitely a food snob…. and proud of it. Lol.
agreed.
i call myself a foodist for this reason. i discriminate against bad food.
I wouldn’t call you a snob. Seems more like it’s passionate. Or fervent. An evangelist? Though you’re not interested in converting anyone. Maybe you’re just the Martha Stewart of basketball? I went too far didn’t I? I respect the passion and the mastery. Such devotions deepens us as humans. I worry about people who are devoid of something that grips their souls in that fanatical way. Now what would the equivalent be in my life? Where I would shrug off being called a snob by who ever mistakenly entered my demesne? There are so many since being informed is my passion (there are people who call me Data). I would say poetry and literature. From Elizabeth Bishop, Anne Sexton to Gabriel Garcia Marquez to Isabel Allende to Chinua Achebe to Ntozake Shange, I could put a hurtin’ on your world of words and letters. I’ll stop here. Thanks for this.
I wouldn’t call you a snob. Seems more like it’s passionate. Or fervent. An evangelist? Though you’re not interested in converting anyone.
i think my willingness to be an ass if talking to someone who thinks they know more than i do kind of proves my snobbishness. i’m really a nice guy too, except when it comes to this
More like a rabid fanatic. You love something in ways other people can’t relate and if they attempt they will be decimated. Snob is too mild a word…You are the Genghis Khan of baller-knowledge? Frightening, yes but we all have a territory where we exercise absolute tyranny. For me, at times, it’s grammar. I hate the misuse and abuse of commas…
I’m a snob when it comes to spelling and proper english. More specifically phrases and cliches. I might cry the next time i hear a ninja say some shit like “For all intensive purposes”. C’mon son. Wtf is an intensive purpose? #jfgi
You minus well get used to it. People don’t always put their worth or self of steam into stuff like spelling. I, for one, could care less. It’s such a doggy dog world out there that you can’t blame people for not excepting what they were taut in school. Irregardless, I understand you doe.
No Luvvie. DONNE! Before I saw your post, I was going to write a list of all the annoying misuses of words, and irregardless was going to go at the top. I stopped after that because I couldn’t think of a whole lot more. Thank you for that *contented sigh*
@Inquisitive – For all egrets and porpoises, I pacifically disagree wit you’re statement
Conversate is another non-word that kills me every single time. Like really?! You’re just going to say that and keep going like it’s a real word? Oh okay.
@Luvvie, DEAD!!!!
Luvvie kilt it on dis one. lol Hilarious.
Luvvie never fails to give the people what they NEED!!! LMAO!
@Luvvie
I’m putting on my bucket list to meet you before I die! LOL
I hate your very essence, Luvvie.
KILLED ME DEAD! LOL!
Thank you Luvvie!
LOL!
AHAHAHAHAHAHA!! Luvvie, STOP. Log off, yesterday.
Only thing I wish for that paragraph is that “their” was “there or they’re.”
I just HAD to de-lurk to say Luvvie if there ever was any doubt to your foolishness, this comment completely removed it!
You Ma’am are a fukkin fool!
Why can’t I quit Luvvie? lol!! She STAY slayin people!!
You have no idea how the decimation of the English language gets my goat. Now I’m all for Ebonics and believe in it wholeheartedly. When we are using standard English, however, and not being all bilingual and whatnot, PLEASE know that they’re, their, and there are different words. Don’t put apostrophes where they don’t belong (not CD’s, CDs; not the decade of the 90′s, it’s just 90s!)
Improper grammar may be my single largest pet peeve, and as an English major (as well as an Afro-Am major, which I mention down thread) it is painfully noticeable how little people know how to speak/write.
#SelfExsteam
Did you know that Steve Nash is interested in filmmaking and started a production company? He wants to go into film when he is done with basketball and had this meeting with Ron Howard who loves him it seems.
They did a documentary together..it was amazing how they merged the two worlds. Ron Howard was doing three pointers etc and then watch Steve’s film.
Umm it’s ok to judge me on this- Dirk Nowitzki just shaved all his hair off (and it sucks) http://yfrog.com/428ivgj
Mavericks fan??? I know Steve Nash has moved on, but I feel like Mavericks fans are so hard to come by! lol I’m from DC, why am I a Mavericks fan???? I don’t know, my Dallas family brainwashed me at a young age. Our leaders make us fight, and we don’t know what for
If they want people killed, let them fight the war
I think I am more a Dirk fan than a Mavs fan now (Mavs be LOSIN’ like ALL THE TIME! -breakin my heart and raising my blood pressure)
It’s a rough time to be a Dallas fan of any type.
The Cowboys have done the Mexican hat dance all over the taxpayers dreams (The new stadium was a pretty penny).
The Rangers got all the way to the end….and lost. Sigh
The Mavs have been on some yo-yo shit for the past few seasons.
The Stars aren’t bad, but that Stanley cup ain’t going to Texas no time soon.
But Dallas fans are not the fair weather sort. We support our teams. May they all live to play another day.
I didn’t realize Nash had his own production company, but I saw part of a 30 for 30 movie he produced (Into the Wind.) The movie’s about one of Canada’s most famous athletes, of course
Yeh and I actually think he is gonna be really successful. He has a good ear for a story and good eye for the shots he gets on film…
Dirk shaves his head like once a year. His German locks will be grown back by the All-Star game.
Dirk looks like a giant SS storm trooper now.
I’m curious, why would a teammate throw and off pass to throw another teammate off rhythm. That baffled me.
I’m not gonna lie, I’m extremely turned on by this.
I bet you still have a BlackPlanet page. And you remember your password. Admit it.
LMAO @ Luvvie
That’s cold Luvvie………Lmao
Too young to remember Len Bias and Ben Wilson?
I might be more of a hoops snob.
I’m not sure what I’m a snob about. I get a universal “snob” tag but no one can pinpoint why. Am I just a general snob?
Does anyone remember honesty boxes in Facebook? Someone left this in my honesty box once, presumably a female: “You’re sexy, in an arrogant bastard kind of way.”
Still confused about that one.
“You’re sexy, in an arrogant bastard kind of way.”
Means “I wanna do the southside slippery slide w/ you. Then punch you in the jaw afterwards.”
You’re welcome. That’ll be 5 dereon dollars. I accept PayPal.
OMG yoo seriously is this what I have to look forward to from your twitter (immediately twitter stalks Luvvie). You keep me entertained wit your comments.
Luvvie iCANT with you today!! LMAO
Hmmm… I don’t know Luvvie… my passive-aggressive back-handed compliment calculator is telling me she definitely intends to punch first then southside slide… but excellent observation.
If you do it in that order it’s 2nd degree 4play or 3rd degree sexual assault depending on the state. Determine your own adventure.
Now see that’s funny cuz I always thought it was wreckless endangerment with coercion to penetrate… must be only southern states.
That sounds like experience talking.
I loves me some Bey, but I HATE the hot Texas mess that is Dereon. That clothing line makes me think of Flo from Mel’s Diner, possum stew, and country folk gettin fancy.
“country folk gettin fancy”
Dead.
I’m a bit of a snob when it comes to computers, as well as use of the english language.