Paterson vs. ferguson Darren Paterson & Brandon Ferguson, Clearly Not Related This Month's Question: Do you think NBA teams should get fewer timeouts Darren says: Who came up with the stu- pid, brainless question for this article? This one is such a no-brainer that it’s silly. I won't even dignify this question with a straight answer. See? I don’t even need to say a thing... Actually, no. You know what? I think I will argue this one because I don’t want any- one out there supporting the reduction of NBA timeouts just because I didn’t take the time to put them straight. And here’s the straight truth: timeouts play a significant role in basketball that can’t be denied. Timeouts are important to the strategy of the game. A timely timeout can allow you to get the right player on the court at the right time, it can allow your team to set up the perfect play, and, when used properly, it can kill the momentum of the opposing team. “Why would you want to kill momentum and flow?” some might ask. But if this strat- egy weren't available, then we would see a rapid decline in the excitement level of the NBA. If Phoenix goes on a 14~2 run, their opponents can call a timeout, slow the tempo, and get back in the game. But if that timeout wasn’t there, then Phoenix’s run could continue, until the game is out of reach by the middle of the second quarter. There would be no league parity because the few teams that are able to put together a good run would win every game ina blowout. But, thankfully, those timeouts still exist. And they will continue to exist because the people with the power to reduce timeouts know the important role that timeouts play in the game of basketball. And I think it’s sad if you needed reminding of that fact. Brandon says: When played properly, basketball is one of the most exciting spectacles to watch— up there with women’s mud wrestling, Family Guy, and the slow decline of America’s global strangle- hold. What makes basketball even more intriguing is when it is actually played and not wasted in endless timeouts. Why watch 3,000 points scored over 47 fast- paced minutes only to be bogged down by an hour-long final minute? While Angelina Jolie was Gone in 60 Seconds, ve gone to the pisser three times in the NBA’s last 60 seconds. Between the two teams, there are currently 24 timeouts available for use. That’s 24 opportunities to find something better to do; and given the 20- second timeout, that’s 24 chances for Darren to have sex. The game should be played on the court. Constantly deferring to the coaches only rein- forces the ugly NBA racial divide: organize the black men to follow the strict guidance of the Man. “Yes’m, I’za alley and he’za oop. Yessa mas- ter.” Fuck that, dude. Then there’s the fouls. With 37 seconds left, down by seven, you are going to lose. So why waste everyone’s time by hacking and hoping a free throw is missed so that you can call a timeout and discuss a shot that may or may not work to cut the lead by one point to then hack again and hope for a miss and call a timeout and...holy shit!—have The Simpsons been on this whole time? Unless you're Reggie Miller and the team you're playing is as pathetic as the Knicks, you cannot erase this kind of deficit. Two timeouts per half—tops. These million- aire players can figure it out for themselves without being so dependant on the timeout and the 5’ 2” coach (wouldn’t that have saved C-Webb a whole lotta heartache with Michigan?). Suck it up and just let the players play. The Best of sport Darren Paterson, Sports Editor hile writing “The Down Side of Sports” this month, I was hit with a thought that made me realize things aren’t as sad as I thought they were. Because, while the athletes that I love and admire today will soon retire from the sporting world, a new crop of young and talented athletes is quickly replac- ing the old one. Although I will miss Reggie Miller next year, the pain of his loss will be washed over with my excitement to see what developments LeBron James will make in his career. And while I will miss Steve Yzerman, Mario Lemieux, and Brendan Shanahan when they are gone, I can’t wait to see Sidney Crosby, Dany Heatley, and Rick Nash suit up for Canada in the Olympics. Pick a sport and the future is bright. Clemens may be on his way out, but Pedro’s got things well in hand. When Brazil’s Ronaldo decides he’s had enough, Portugal’s Ronaldo is ready to take the torch. And when Yzerman hangs ’em up, Zetterberg will be ready to go. : The retiring greats have clearly done their job in inspiring these young players to become what they are. And even as those young players take the spotlight and dazzle us with their skill, they will inspire yet another new crop of young players to train and compete, and one day take over their sport. This cycle will guarantee that there will always be great athletes, in every sport, for as long as we watch. And because of that, it’s a little easier to say goodbye to the great athletes of today. And this never-ending cycle of jaw-dropping skill represents, to me, the best of sport. 22 | www.theotherpress.ca May 11/2005