Why Basketball Is Like A Comic Book.
Growing up in Alberta, I was fond of reading comic books. The fictional characters that are illustrated on a black and white surface have left me with a significant effect on my life. Whether it was Batman fighting the Joker or Spiderman saving the day, these fictional characters have been a huge aspect of my life. Unfortunately, the harsh reality is, these characters do not exist, which is difficult to accept. As someone who has connected with these fictional characters as a child, it was hard to take in that these characters do not exist in real life. However, what if I told you that there is a different adaptation out there that exhibits specific characteristics or hardships that are similar to indulging a comic book. What if I told you that there is a particular occupation that presents this understanding of the term “superhero.” Although the world may have heroes such as police officers or doctors, this occupation allows you to explore more than just the job. Despite comic books being one of my favourite things on this earth, basketball has touched me in ways that are indescribable due to the stories it shares. This article is about how basketball and comic book reading relates to each other.
Did you know that Marvel almost owned DC comics!
What Similarities Do Comic Books And Basketball Share?
When reading a comic book besides the story, there are two main things that most people look at which are, the illustrations and the characters. The character art and effects that these various artists have constructed on a blank piece of paper is enough to tell a story on its own. These superhero stories that guys like Jack Kirby or Stan Lee have written over the years connected various people across the world. Events such as San Diego Comic-Con has been one of the most famous gatherings in the world. Multiple people across the world have connected with these characters due to how relatable some of these stories are to everyday life. For instance, when looking at the character origin of Spiderman, he dealt with hardships his entire life; however, he always managed to get up and continue to look forward. Whether it was losing his parents at such a young age or witnessing his uncle’s death, Spiderman has always been through some downfall. Fortunately for Spiderman, he not only has the mental strength to stay positive and move forward but also displays such an inspiring message to never give up on your dreams. Even though these heroes may save the world in the Fictional world of comic book reading, they also teach numerous lessons on how to form a positive mindset. However, comic books are not the only thing that possesses this type of movement of positivity. The sport of basketball, more specifically, the NBA shares very similar stories of hardships and struggle.
The way that basketball touched my heart is very similar to how comic books affected me. Basketball was something that entered my heart a few years ago, which was something new yet exciting for me to indulge. Similar to comic books, basketball has incredible stories that are all real and relatable. The main difference between comic book stories and basketball stories is that basketball is an actual occupation to pursue rather than being a superhero. For many kids that are into basketball, they started off loving the sport by watching their favourite player. For comic books, characters such as Spiderman, Batman, and Superman were the ideal fan-favourite hero’s people loved to follow. However, for basketball, players such as Micheal Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Lebron James have been many saviours for various individuals. Whether it was growing up in the projects or living in poverty, these basketball legends have touched and saved so many people across the globe hence why they are superheroes in the basketball world. Players such as Demar Derozen who grew up in a dangerous area in Compton was introduced to various gangs, violence, and drugs. The famous gang known as the Crips was like family to Derozen however, if it weren’t for his idol Kobe Bryant, Derozen would most likely be in a different circumstance. Even though he felt obligated to be beside his brothers of the Crips, Derozen looked at his superhero figure and realized that he could save his life by pursuing what he was good at which was, basketball. Looking at Derozen now, he is a multiple-time all-star and has been a member of an all-NBA team for several years. Furthermore, Derozen has also modelled most of his game from his hero Kobe Bryant considering how well Derozen can shoot the ball inside the three-point line.
Both basketball and comic books have such dark yet inspiring stories that many of us fail to realize. Whether it was Batman witnessing his parents getting killed as a child or Micheal Jordan losing his father the same day he won a championship, these stories make all of us realize that before all the fame and love, they are just as human as you and me. We all have hero’s that make us feel that there is a sense of hope even if you’re in the worst possible circumstance. An example of this was the recent MCU movie that broke all records known as Avengers Endgame. In the film, all hope was lost, considering half of the universe was wiped out from existence. Even though it was tough to have faith, our favourite hero’s managed to get their senses together and save the world. The message that can be taken from Endgame is that no matter how cloudy life can get, there will always be a sun that shines brighter.
Overall, comic books have been the number one source for me to not only be entertained but to also learn lessons that I use every day. The beauty of reading a comic book and getting to know every character you possibly can is, how well you can relate. Various comic book characters have been through the worst of the worst, however, have still managed to climb over that hump and achieve what they wanted to do. The same thing can be said for these incredible athletes, as most of them have also been through some hardship that motivated them. The term hero can be defined in various ways; however, the true definition of what a hero is, someone that inspired you or motivated you to conquer your desires. Although a hero does many material things, the symbolic gesture that these comic characters or basketball players hold is more impactful. Whether its Lebron James looking up to Micheal Jordan or Spiderman looking up to Ironman, both genres share the idea of how impactful a person can be throughout someone’s life. Even though Lebron James and Spiderman are icons in this generation, they always remember who they looked up to and respect how they managed to get where they ended up. Micheal Jordan may have been Lebron James hero, but Lebron is now a hero for this entire upcoming generation of athletes.
The message that is present when it comes to indulging a comic book or basketball is, to do what you want to do. These fictional characters have become so real to numerous individuals across the world as they have touched an infinite amount of hearts across the globe. Basketball holds that same effect as these players are not only real, but they have also inspired many of us, including myself to pursue anything that you desire.
A firefighter or a police officer maybe viewed as a hero, yet the ones who inspire you to do the right thing is what a hero truly is.