Team spirit

May 15, 2019

“Who you with?”

These are the words that Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry called out to his mother Sonya when he saw her in the stands cheering for him while wearing the jersey of his brother Seth, who plays for the rival Portland Trail Blazers basketball team.

Sonya and her husband Dell were trying to be diplomatic by cheering for both of their sons who are competing fiercely in the conference finals for the National Basketball Association championship. But Steph isn’t used to his parents having divided loyalties at one of his games. He’s accustomed to being the sole recipient of their support. Hence his momentary confusion upon seeing his mother in his opponents’ uniform. His father was wearing a Warriors jersey.

As a Warriors fan, I’m happy to report that last night Steph’s team defeated his brother’s team in Game 1 of the best of seven series. But as a human being, I’m not sure how comfortable I am with the us versus them mentality that seems to be a prerequisite of team sports.

For example, it turns out that one of the Portland stars, Damian Lillard, grew up in Oakland near the Golden State arena. He loves his hometown, and is known for his generosity in support of the community there. He grew up as a fan of the Warriors, who he is now trying desperately to defeat. So while I want his team to lose to the Warriors, I have to appreciate and respect Lillard as a man who is loyal to his roots and true to his alma mater Oakland High by giving back financially and emotionally to that school and to its students.

In other words, like Sonya and Dell Curry, my feelings are mixed. I wish Lillard a successful career and happy life, and I hope the Warriors sweep his team in the playoffs.

It isn’t always easy to remember to appreciate individuals on opposing teams. It’s often simpler to see teams as groups rather than as persons. And then to demonize or ridicule those teams for being inferior to or less deserving than the home team. Not unlike what nations or political parties or religions do to dehumanize their opponents.

But while these tribal instincts may be understandable and all too human, trash talking is not the same as team spirit. Denigrating others is not respectworthy; good sportsmanship is. I admire players or anyone who wins or loses graciously, and I’m embarrassed when I catch myself being petty or vindictive.

And in the greater scheme of things, who or what is our team? Is it our race or class or gender or sports affiliation? Or are there greater selfhood realities beyond our egos, such as souls and/or kindred spirits? To whom or to what do we owe our allegiance?

I’m rooting for Team Earth, and the Golden State Warriors.

Who you with?