Just Show Up: The Power of Presence Part II...David Lee Style

I wasn't as upset about the 97-95 loss to Denver in Game 1 in the opening contest of the playoff series as I was about the loss of All-Star forward David Lee to an season ending injury. "D-Lee" who led the league in double-doubles and my personal poll of "favorite Golden State Warrior," tore his right help flexor.  

This was horrible news for the team and for me personally as I had a ticket to Game 6.  I first thought a Game 6 wouldn't happen (in a best of 7 series, a team only needs to win 4 games) until I started to worry that if it did, the donation I made to StubHub.com might serve as one for an elimination game--the elimination of the Warriors from the post-season. As we now know however, nothing could to be further from the truth.  

Waiting in the (security) line of Oracle Arena, I couldn't help but bask in the glory of the many fans discussing David Lee. It all started when the 6-year old boy in back of me looked up at the mural of Golden State Warriors in action.  He named every one of them but wanted to first talk about the 6'9" 240 lb power forward.  I knew Lee was that tall, but appreciated learning what he weighs from this first grader. Other fans launched extended commentary about Lee's role on the team.  I was surprised by the amount of air time he was getting; the W's made it to Game 6: the elimination game for the Nuggets  without him. And then my friend inside the arena sent me a text message with information these folks already knew--Lee was warming up!  I couldn't believe what I just read.   D-Lee had been sitting court side and wearing a suit the last four games.  Could this be true?  I couldn't wait to find out.

As written by SportingNewsNBA, 

With 6:05 remaining in the first quarter, Lee took off his uniform and began to check in at the scorer's table. As fans started to roar to its feet, George Karl quickly called timeout and quieted the crowd.  

Lee didn't come in following the timeout, then went back to the scorer's table once played resumed. He finally entered the game with 2:23 to play, getting a standing ovation from fans as he jogged to center court and pointed to the sky with both hands.

I saw his simple gesture of thanks to God for the opportunity to play. If you weren't watching you would have missed it and I'm glad I didn't.  It stayed with me because it was real—an authentic gesture of praise.  He raised his soul and the energy of "Roarcle" higher. When you get a glimpse of something like that, you can't help but feel joy.  D-Lee showed up.

Lee had one rebound (!) and missed his only shot in 87 seconds of play in the first quarter. As much as fans delighted in his participation, it was painfully obvious he was running with one healthy leg. Even with his clearance to play, it's fair to raise the question "What difference did his presence make?"  

Lee answered this question with his remarks.  

It was something that I wanted to do for my team, to be a leader, to give us an extra boost," Lee said. "But with an extra four or five days (to rest before facing the Spurs), it's already come this far so stranger things have happened. I can guarantee you one thing. If there's any chance to play, I'll be the first guy to play and that was evidenced by what I did tonight. But I'm just excited about this series. I think we've got a chance.

He too recognizes that showing up makes a difference—be it as an extra boost, contributing a single rebound, or expressing a moment of gratitude. Clearly the Warriors got this far because of David Lee; the power of his presence cannot be underestimated on and off the court. He gave his coach, Mark Jackson a hug as the two spoke while the lights were dimmed during player introductions.  Lee led the pep talk in the huddle after the starters were announced.  

He is my favorite player to watch even when he is not playing and sitting on the bench AND that's because he's NOT sitting. He's hopped up, reacting to every play, every foul, throwing a towel, high-five-ing every teammate in sight. I'm just glad I had the opportunity to show up for all that happened during Game 6, a win that Warriors fans won't forget for a long time.

Photo Credits
Injury
Suited-up
Hugging Coach J
Off the bench
Huddle

Just Show Up: The Power of Presence Part I

Woody Allen has made the claim that "80% of success is showing up." I once thought this was a pathetic standard. Showing up yields success? Seems to me like it take much more than that. The longer I live however, the more I agree with him. He's on to something...it's true.

I was confronted by several examples and challenges of this claim in the past week.  At Sunday Mass, the ushers for the communion line was a father-daughter team.  They were a striking pair for two reasons. First, it spoke to me that a parent and his child would minister at the Mass together. Second, he was well dressed and she...was wearing her Convent on the Sacred Heart basketball uniform.  

Clearly she had just come from her game.  Growing up, I remember wearing my Sunday best to Mass.  I once thought it was important to dress appropriately for church services and a part of me still does. But today, I am thrilled when young people attend mass in their uniform.  I'm just glad they show up.

With the number of Mass times, it should be easier than ever to "show up" but I know many young people don't. They show up for practice and their games; my hope it they show up for Sunday services. I hope they will become a member of a faith community and as evidenced by this father-daughter duo, even participate in the service.

Showing up it is a not a given. Many people don't—which is what Allen is addressing. And when we don't, not only do we miss out, but those around us do too as painfully evidenced in the movie "Silver Linings Playbook." 

The main character, Pat Solitano struggles with mental health issues, namely a bipolar condition. He is committed to a mental institution for eight months and the movie begins upon his release—his re-entry to independence. In several different scenes important people in his life—two close friends and even his brother apologize for not visiting him. Each one is a sad reflection of them and made me pause to consider: What do we prioritize?  Why don't we show up?  How would things be different for Pat if his brother  and friends had shown up?  

In a funny twist in the movie, Pat's father (played by Robert DeNiro) blames his son for the Eagles' loss. Pat and his brother were unable to "show up" for the game; they were arrested for fighting in the parking lot outside Lincoln Financial Field. Mr. Solitano truly believed that the Eagles would have won had Pat been at the game until Tiffany (played by Jennifer Lawrence) makes a convincing argument for where Pat should have shown up and didn't.  

I like to think of the Incarnation as "God shows up." God didn't need to become one of us, but God did so for us. In Jesus Christ, we have God made flesh. A God who isn't absent but who shows up,  who struggled and suffered like we do.  Who was rejected but rose from the dead. Who loved and was loved in return.  Some pretty good reasons to show up if you ask me.

I wish I had taken a surreptitious photo of a couple who sat in front of me at the 5:30 pm Mass on a Sunday in January after a huge Forty-Niner victory.  Replete with matching #85 Vernon Davis jerseys, I knew by their enthusiasm and swag that they had come from the game.  And yet part of me thinks I got one. I have a good mental snapshot of who they are and what matters to them. I'm grateful I showed up to see that.....

Photo Credits
Two Brothers
Father and son
Tailgate
Just Show Up Pillow: from Mary Ahlbach's classroom