Weakside Eyes: The Value of Heartbreak

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Published: August 1, 2014

When I walked into the room I started looking around . . . I wanted to see what kind of guys I was dealing with. I wondered how many of ’em could handle an alley fight. Who could I count on if two thugs were pounding me into the cement?
— Benny Booms to Uncle Nicky in “The Bad Times Stomp”

I hear and read really, really well, but I see so much better. The older guys sitting on their bar stools had their own version of street philosophy. Some of them didn’t read very well . . . I added to the script so it would fit the use of the printed word.

Over the past few weeks I’ve read some of the wonderful and in-depth work some of my fellow members of this site have produced . . . excellent and informative. The numerical breakdowns related to salary cap and use of basketball analytics always make for good deposits into one’s knowledge bank.

All the contract stuff makes for a solid read and stretches the brain to points many fans have never dared travel . . . kind of like a “destination unknown” cruise. Once you get there, you realize it was worth the trip.

“Nicky, Mr. Reality is here to see you . . . he says its important”

You don’t need a hyped sales pitch to tell you that Anthony Davis is the guy that can “pop wheelies” over the long haul for Pelican fans. Without Davis all team goals become that shrimp poboy that you left under the seat in your car three months ago.

We can talk about the big money that changes hands, but young talents like Davis are more tuned-in to “roster scanning.” Their agents and friends monitor what teams are stocking up to chase the jewelry. The agents to the stars keep their clients fully informed as to who is doing what.

“What have they done lately? You telling me you can win the big one with that group?”

Contract-wise the Pelicans can lay out a nice financial package to keep Davis around for awhile. The key is making his eyes happy. He’ll hear a lot about what the plan is, but will Davis see the results of what he was told?

Everybody knows how the scene needs to play out. Eventually Davis has to believe that the Pelicans will be armed to give serious chase to multiple playoff rounds. A championship is further down the road . . . he must first experience the emotional crush of a playoff heartbreak.
That will further fuel him.

Dell Demps has displayed the creative ability to shake up the formula and address the current team needs with the hustle his position requires. The recent roster additions should be the start of something . . . right?

“Listen Nicky, the truth will set you free, but it can also piss you off, so deal with what ya got for now.J ust don’t stay on dat train too long cause you don’t wanna miss your stop” — Benny Booms

Here’s how the rule works:

What or who you attach yourself to during the prime years of your life or career will determine how many nights you will spend crying into your pillow.

Ya get my meaning?

V


Gerry V is a 21-year NBA analyst, 17-year talk radio host, a 16-year coach . . . also hosts “Gerry V’s “Talk Back Live on 99.5 WRNO New Orleans right after every Saints Sunday Game. Follow Gerry V on twitter (@GVTalk).

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