My Grandmother's Love (Lakers -V-Celtics) Poem by Marie WardAlonge

Early in the morning, we would rise.
Head to Sunday School before returning home to watch the greyhound Lakers run against the Celtics pride.

My grandmother would cook that day or night before.
Sunday's dinner would be ready before we hit the door.
A good hot meal was turnip greens, crowded peas, corn on the cob, and my favorite, pot roast.
My brother and I would eat very quickly.
The game was about to start.
Our friends were on their way to boast.

There was a basketball court across the street.
When the Lakers and Celtics were playing,
We were inside watching the game.
No one wanted to go outside and compete.

When our friends came, my grandmother would cut a slice of jelly cake and leave the room.
She would leave us to our jumping and shouting for our respective teams like little fools.
When it became too loud, she would come out and yell what's going on?
However, she did it with a smile as she prowled.
My grandmother knew we were into the moment.
No harm. No foul.

While the Lakers were sweating on that hot Boston court,
I was sweating with them.
My grandmother wouldn't turn on the a/c until after midnight or some sort.
While the Celtics had the picture of that little leprechaun,
The Lakers had "Jack" for our good luck charm.
In L.A., he was in the front row.
We knew we had him to count on.

The Lakers were fast but played Boston with that half court game.
I could not stand.
I guessed they had to play it in order to obtain the upper hand.
Boston was tough.
I would ponder why they played rough.
They took down Kurt Rambis.
Remember, he was Superman.
He was resilient. He bounced right up.

We would watch Magic and Kareem play that two men game.
Robert Parish would look serious rebounding, scoring, and blocking.
He would put many young men to shame.
McAdoo was shooting jumpers while attempting free throws.
Bird was shooting threes and giving us plenty of woes.

While on the bench, M.L. Carr was proudly waving that towel.
What a scoop.
Michael Cooper was in the game playing great defense and thrilling us with the Coop-a-loop.
When coming to offense, we knew James Worthy and Kevin McHale had the best feet.
Bill Walton, a great player, added to that Boston Mystique.

I have to say that next to Magic, my favorite player was Jamaal Wilkes.
He was so smooth with that jumper.
They called him "silk".

Norm Nixon was one half of that "Showtime" guard tandem.
He and Magic would keep the Lakers on fast breaking pace.
Then "Great Scott" came and took Nixon's place.
Cool Pat Riley led the Lakers to four N.B.A. championships with a bang.
Years later, he moved on to Miami and picked up another ring.

Over the years, I have witnessed two of our most horrific defeats.
They were the "Memorial Day Massacre" and the 2008 game 6 finals.
After watching these games, for a few days, I could not watch E.S.P.N.
Sometimes, I could not eat.

In 2010, Kobe is my favorite player.
I hope he and the Lakers produce big time and become the Boston slayers.
I respected all the Boston players and appreciated all the Lakers (Shaq, before you retire, please come home to L.A. where you belong) .

Although we could have used you in the 80's and 2008, Robert Horry thank you for your many big time shots.
A.C. Green and Derek Fisher, you are inspirational.
We shall forget you not.

Van Exel and Eddie Jones, you were not part of this rivalry for the finals.
You could have done some harm.
With your long range shooting and your steals,
We would have been in top form.

These games and these two teams were full of shakers, heartbreakers, All-Stars and Hall of Fame makers.
I know you are tired of seeing the Lakers and Celtics in the finals.
Some people have said.
Well, here's hoping one year your team will be there instead.

Even though my friends and I have scattered, we haven't seen each other in years.
I remember them with fondness.
I hope they are safe and watching the game with their basketball peers.
Don't drink too many beers.

As for my grandmother, it's her 89th birthday.
I called and thanked her.
I wished her many blessings on the way.
My brother and I she did raise.
Back then, we only had one television.
She would allow us to fulfill our joy of the sporting events we craved.

She was strict.
However, when needed, she would make the tough decisions.
She didn't care for the games.
She liked her Westerns.
Of course, we didn't have any collisions.

No matter how many times the Lakers and the Celtics play each other
And how much trash talk we think of.
No team could ever rival my grandmother's love.