Hoops Smackdown From the Girly-Fan
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She's b-a-a-a-ack!
This time last year, I was crowned Ms. Unpopularity for my wild-and-Cameron Crazy support - more like adoration - for Duke basketball.
And why not? I was a Cameron Crazy before blue face paint, wigs, chants, choreography and the appellation. I still am, amid a Sandhills sea of Carolina blue and State red.
Several responders noted that the "A" in my Duke B.A. must stand for -arrogance. Really, not all Dukies are arrogant, even about basketball. This one appreciates Carolina and cheers every other North Carolina team until they play Duke. Then it's all ugly gestures and obscene -epithets.
I know, only an arrogant Dukie would call a four--letter word an obscene epithet. No matter. I love basketball - a delightful, graceful, high-scoring game that's easy to follow. This sport appeals to both jocks and humanitarians: Watch the heartbreak in a player's eyes after missing an alley-oop. See the concern when cameras pan to his parents' faces. Sense team cohesion - or, sadly, lack of it lately at Chapel Hill. Observe uniform styling, including those spanky-pants undergarments.
For me, basketball is also very personal. I was a cheerleader when my high school team won the North Carolina State Championship more than 50 years ago. What a trip. Now, in November my neurons begin to squeak like sneakers on the lacquered hardwood. By March, the squeak becomes spasm.
I'm an ACC groupie who can identify most plays and shots but who enjoys games from a girly perspective. Which means I know players by name, hairstyle and the way they move: cool and smooth, like John Scheyer, or wild and rough, like Wake Forest's Chas (pronounced Chase - why?) McFarland.
I follow the coaches - their exaggerated gestures, their school-color ties. Doesn't Wake's Dino Gaudio have great hair? I try to lip-read what winner coach says to loser coach during the final handshake - probably less "Good game" and more "How'dya get a six-figure endorsement?"
I certainly wouldn't want to ruffle Coach K. Some Halloween I expect to see a pull-on Coach K mask, with shoe-polish hair, menacing eyes and pursed lips.
I even have favorite commentators. Len Elmore is clever, informative and calm, as are former Blue Devils Jay Bilas and "G-Man" Mike Gminski. Dick Vitale's shoutdowns rate the mute button.
Anyway, this is a special year for ACC basketball, a year bereft of glamorous Tyler Hansbrough, who melted away to the Indiana Pacers (posted salary: $1,859,160) like a Popsicle in August. The Tar Heels, plagued by turnovers and injuries (seven-foot giraffe colt Tyler Zeller out again - Ed Davis, too), seem lost without Hansbrough.
Georgia Tech's Gani Lawal lacks aura. Clemson's Trevor Booker ... not quite. Maryland's Grievis Vasquez, that hot-shot Venezuelan with the grandee goatee, plays like a fly I long to swat.
The main difference is my new TV, big but not obscenely so, in pimple-perfect high definition with screen shaped like a basketball court.
OK, so all screens are shaped like basketball courts.
When Kyle Singler sweats, I mop my brow. Cheerleaders' smiles look painted on, then frozen. Grunts come across in stereo. I can almost smell the huddle.
Despite the stunning loss to State, Duke is doing well, but they have always been a head team. One kid drops his lollipop, everybody starts to cry. Away from Cameron, the Devils get homesick.
Regardless, for me the Duke boys are magic, fluid, intense. They are the towering Plumlee brothers, whose mommy must be so proud. They are Brian Zoubek, the bearded seven-footer who finally differentiated his left foot from his right, and Nolan Smith, who comes across under pressure. They make me wish I had a granddaughter to bring Jon Scheyer home, so I could cook myself to death.
Whether Duke will hold on through March is beyond my girly expertise. Just remember, it ain't over till the tall guy shoots. That would be in April.
If Duke stumbles, you'll know why depression is called the blues. Duke blue, Carolina blue and my own brand: True blue.
Deborah Salomon says harsh words are welcomed at debsalomon@hotmail.com.
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Comments
SPchica 3 years, 3 months ago
Ummm, FYI, it's "Cameron Crazie," not Cameron Crazy. Might want to check that out next time before you write about being a true CRAZIE. :\
debsalomon 3 years, 3 months ago
Ummm, thank you so much. I failed spelling at Duke. Disheartened Deb (because both my blue teams lost badly over the weekend).
SPchica 3 years, 3 months ago
I seriously doubt you took a course in spelling at Duke. Just don't think you are a true Cameron Crazie. It's OK. Pretty embarrassing though.
debsalomon 3 years, 3 months ago
Your rite..no speling kourse, no spelcheck, either. How did we manige? Axtually, "crazy" is the kerect speling. Other is an invenshun, like Smokey the Bare. Keeping fingers crosed tonite. both my blue teems play, Thanks agin for the corection. deb
CSmithson 3 years, 3 months ago
Speaking of spelling, I am pretty sure the correct spelling is D-O-O-K
jkrahnert3 3 years, 3 months ago
Go BC!
SPchica 3 years, 3 months ago
Haha, I think we've rattled the DOOKIE.
debsalomon 3 years, 3 months ago
For JK: Heaven help Duke on Saturday, in Beantown, after a tough game tonight. For Chica: Maybe it should be the Kookie Dookies instead of the Cameron Crazies. By the way, Dookies (or Duchesses, as co-eds were called) don't get rattled; they get even. Isn't this fun?
jkrahnert3 3 years, 3 months ago
Deb, I wouldn't worry too much, it's been a tough year for my Eagles
debsalomon 3 years, 3 months ago
Dook beat GaTech tonite. But a road game in less than 48 hours? Dunno. At least they'll get to chow down at Quincy Market...What I wouldn't give for that. deb, the Crazie Critter
SPchica 3 years, 3 months ago
Haha, I wouldn't really call this "getting even." The intention of my post was to stress the point that for someone who "seems" to be a devoted Duke fan should at least know how to spell what the fans are called. Never said you couldn't spell. I mean, you DO work for a newspaper after all. I think this Kookie Duchess is just angry and embarrassed that someone called her out. As, for the fun part...it's getting a little old.
debsalomon 3 years, 3 months ago
Angry? I'm thrilled! Duke beat GT last night. As for the spelling... don't think that matters much, especially since "Crazie" is rarely singular...there are SO many. REmember the addage: People write, dictionaries spell. Thanks to you, I will be more careful in the future. Sorry you don't think this sparring is fun. I do. Isn't the new Pilot Web site wonderful? deb
fwm2 3 years, 3 months ago
So Hansbrough "melted away" to Indiana...Really... That is interesting...is averaging 8.5 and 4.8 REBs while playing 17.6 minutes Really melting away...I mean Really...and what is G-Henderson doing these days... oh yeah he is on mop up duty in Charlotte...and we Tar Heels are lost w/o Hanbrough...ALONG with Lawson and Ellington and Green and Frazier...but Really...its okay to be lost when you have won 2 National Championships in 5 years...Really it is..,especially when you will probably win another one before any other ACC team does so....I mean...Really...what is The Blue Devils excuse...and when did they win their last title again...I mean come on Deb, you Really should top sipping that ugly DookBlue hater-ade.. I mean Really...and don't even make me do the "post-college success" comparison of players in the NBA between the 2 programs... or go through the all-time records lists like "times as final rated #1 team," "winning percentage," "final four appearances" "consecutive 20-win seasons" "total NCAA Tourney Appearances" "Total times as a #1 seed"..etc...you don't Really want me to go there do you...I mean Really...and guess what in two years you are Really going to be tired of the names Barnes, Bullock, Henson and Marshall..Really...
;)
fwm2 3 years, 3 months ago
oh yeah and SP Chica... I no I made sum misteaks butt dey did not teech us to spale ore look fore tighpoes befour we post bloggs over at Chaple Hill kneether
debsalomon 3 years, 3 months ago
Y'all are missing the big picture here: that a Dookie can love the Tar Heels, as well. I'm a lover, not a hater. This isn't the Hatfields and McCoys or the Montagues and Capulets. Nobody cheers louder when Carolina Blue plays any other team except Duke. My daughter and I are the only Dookies in a family of Carolina grads. I bought one of my grandsons a Duke sweatshirt, the other got Carolina. Melting away just means I haven't heard much about Ty lately, unless I look online. So thanks for the stats. I consider you a valuable resource. Keep me posted. Just don't forget that I'm a GIRL fan. We may enjoy the game on different levels but so what? Our voices count, too. Blue Devilish Deb
fwm2 3 years, 3 months ago
I dig..I dig
but I had to represent my boy TH... I try to keep up with my guys and watch at least two games each Tar Heel plays every NBA season. and though it is a bit hard to grasp the fact that a C. Crazy could truly "love the Tar Heels," (having lived the rivalry 5 years at Chapel Thrill 94-2000 when it was awesome as both teams were living in the top 10 and u had to camp out to get lower level seats,) but I follow and appreciate your viewpoint...
Mostly I was just trying to add more spice to the comments; I liked your story and picked up on what you were trying to get across through its tone...
best of luck to u guys...I have a feeling our streak(s) against Dook overall and at Cameron will come crashing to an end this year..lol
Not-a-Tar Heel-born-but-a-Tar Heel-bredhead Frank
debsalomon 3 years, 3 months ago
Frank. That's a lovely name. And you are. But beware...you misspelled Crazy. Look what this misdemeanor got me. You, for one thing. I am truely sorry about last night's defeat -- to VT of all people. I bled light blue. And I can live with Carolina beating Duke at the Dome if Duke beats Carolina at Camerion. Actually, Danny Green was my favorite Tar Heel. Maybe not as proficient as Ty, but so coordinated, a smooth, cool athlete. I like 'em cool, Jon Scheyer cool: Christian Laettner was my all-time favorite coolman. Look up his stats. Impressive, even compared to CArolina Not only that, he donated $2 million to Duke for scholarships. I worry about overly aggressive, hate-mongering fans. Basketball is a GAME, a beautiful game, not a blood sport (ie, one that raises the blood pressure). I guess that statement will elicit another slew of comments. Bring 'em on. deb