Now is that time of year where the number of games is shrinking and the games are
growing in significance. We have to scroll pretty far down the schedule to get to the next
contest’s tip off. Which means the season is soon coming to an end, which means so too
are some careers. Some of our favorite and least favorite players will be moving on from
their collegiate experiences or from our team or on to the league.
But the thing about endings is we often look at them nostalgically. To that effect, we
love our seniors. Or at least I certainly do and if you read my blog, you’ll soon be privy
to glowing hyperbole and adoration for the now young men who entered their respective
programs green puppies.
In Boulder, the lone senior is Sabatino Chen.
And one note, I don’t know the ins and outs of CU basketball the way you guys do and
there has got to be a back story about a tireless manager or trainer that could melt our
hearts away and if you know of such a tale let me know. Let’s celebrate that young man’s
effort.
But from my perspective, it’s just Chen. I’ve seen him play a handful of times. He is not
a great basketball player. I mean no offense by this but strictly talent is not the asset Chen
brings to this team. He brings a whole lot more.
As an outsider, I watch Chen make the plays the team needs. I see tireless effort that I
don’t see in a box score. He’s a pest and as an opposing fan I’m drawn to hate him. As
a basketball enthusiast, the departing local embodies the romanticism of our favorite
sport. He’s not a Rudy, he’s better than forfeited jerseys, but he’s earned everything he’s
got. His two years in Boulder have been two of the program’s best, indicative of some
cornerstone-type character.
Because Sabatino Chen’s Buffalo moment didn’t come with that foiled bank shot. No,
I believe if that’s your lasting memory of Chen you’re missing what’s mattered most.
Chen’s moment came when no one was watching. Not Askia, Spencer, Andre, or Tad.
When he put his head down in a gym or a weight room – his head up in a video review –
to earn one more minute to win one more game; those were Sabatino’s greatest moments.
That was when he gained respect greater than game winners.
We are drawn over-and-over-and-over again to watch sport under the impression – if not
hope – that the team wanting it more can win. It’s really no different than our own daily
lives in which success can be ours if we do the requisite work and then perhaps go above
and beyond. Sport just provides a dramatic and immediate view the final outcome of that
effort. A final score is just slightly more fun than a sales report.
The Sabatino Chens of college basketball let us believe that.
Cornerstone-type stuff indeed and I’d love to hear what Xavier Johnson thought of
competing for a starting spot with Chen – a player he’s wildly more talented than. My
guess is Johnson would tell you he’s a better basketball player because of it. That Chen
worked his ass off and was rewarded for it and so Johnson had but one option if he too
wanted minutes. Work his ass off.
Like I said, this time of year engenders nostalgia and a whole lot of feel good farewells.
Just another part of the insanity of fandom.
