Bob Lobel: When Anger Turns to Apathy in Sports
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Apathy is a killer. There is nothing worse in the world of sports than apathy. We can love something, we can hate something and we can choose to ignore something. But, when we put it in the realm of not caring at all, that is deadly for all pro sports franchises and leagues.
Unfortunately, the National Hockey League has brought the plague of apathy right to our door steps. Of course, this isn’t the first time this has happened. The feeling now is all too familiar, we just don’t care anymore, and why should we? We actually started feeling this way the last two weeks of the Red Sox season. There was an emptiness within caused by a season of monumental frustration and continual focus on the manager who was viewed by many as a mis-manager. The whole end of the season scenario played out like a balloon without any air.
Alas, the Bruins are in that same position right now. The stars have fled to Europe, the ice is a permanent parquet floor and the price of sharpening skates is now measured in Euros. Of course, they will be back. They always have come back. Someday however, it’s the fans that will not be back. That is the result of apathy. It is the same apathy that carried over from the baseball season.
Oh yes, we get reports of the Boston Celtics getting ready for basketball battle while they make their way through European venues on their way back home. Their lockout was last year and they survived a shortened season. The most exciting thing to look forward to with the Celtics in the NBA is the new “no flopping rule”. This may be the comedic highlight of the upcoming sports year.
Of course, in this league, it is possible for entire teams to flop. While we are on the subject of the Celtics, it is annoying to know that Ray Allen is playing for the Miami Heat. It’s more annoying to hear Kevin Garnett say that he is no longer a friend of Ray Allen. Please, grow up!
It is disconcerting that Ray Allen left on less than a high note, but he’s not the first and he will not be the last. Of course, as usual with the Celtics, the enigmatic Rondo will be the story. Danny boy has done a great job retooling the team, but it is also predictable in that we know who will be there in the end, the Lakers in the West waiting for one of two teams in the East.
Just like psychologists are recession proof, the Patriots remain apathy prove!
The more we see number 12, the more we are going to miss him. He seems to occupy a place in our hearts and minds like no other. He is Bird, he is Orr and he is more.
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