I love playing basketball but I have not done so for 8 months. I went back to Ghana in October and said goodbye to playing the usual pickup games with friends 2-3 times per week. I have really missed playing ball and couldn't wait to come back and start again since it is my favorite sport and is really the only social activity I have with friends.
I was counting down the days to play again at home and was so excited to be able to come back in April, but that was before the Coronavirus closed borders, shut down airlines, spoiled an amazing NBA season, and changed the world. At this point it looks like I wont be able to return home for at least another month or two.
My biggest fear when I do finally get back is not being able to play ball like we used to. I can see how people can play tennis, golf, frisbee, or other games and still social distance but 5 on 5 full court basketball requires close physical contact, getting in people's personal space, and getting sweat on each other. Playing 6 feet apart from people while wearing a mask sounds about as fun as playing basketball on an outdoor rim with no net and a flat ball.
Speaking of sweat, I love this clip from Along Came Polly. It's only funny because it has happened to me so many times when we used to play shirts and skins.
This makes me miss both pickup games and Phillip Seymour Hoffman. I hope things improve soon. There are many sacrifices I am willing to make but saying goodbye to basketball is not one of them.
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