The End of an Era

zakaria
zakaria
Aug 31, 2018 · 3 min read

It’s funny how something like Manu Ginobili retiring a few days ago can push me into a quarter life crisis.

I saw someone I’ve watched play high level basketball — for more than half my life — decide to call it quits. A player who showed a level of fearlessness that inspired me in so many ways. His career, coinciding with my childhood and adolescence, has finally come to an end — and it gave me a stark reminder of the inevitable next stage in my life.

I remember watching Sunday afternoon ESPN games, the marquee matchup of Spurs vs Lakers in the Staples center. Big names such as Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Pau Gasol, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili. The revamped Lakers, energized by the acquisition of Pau Gasol, vs the dynasty and big three of San Antonio. Through all the amazing talent on the court, no one made my eyes light up more than Manu. His flashy wrap around passes, slashing and slithering, big play ability (sometimes costly turnovers), and his patented move, the Euro Step. I remember searching and studying videos on YouTube trying to learn the footwork to do it and taking every opportunity I had on the court attempting it. Sometimes it was incredible — drawing the oohs and ahhs from my friends — and sometimes it wasn’t. But It didn’t faze me because it didn’t faze Manu.


All the players from those legendary matchups have either retired or have lost a step. Manu retiring has only put emphasis that my young and carefree days are numbered. At 25 years old, all the big decisions are looming in front of me. Marriage, career, starting a family, and everything to do with entering adulthood. I’m not ready for any of it. Moments of feeling like the toddler wearing his father’s dress shoes and carrying his suitcase, having no idea what he’s doing.

It was only two years ago that I understood that we’re always in the process of becoming. At 23, I learned that I should always be learning and my effort (or lack there of) to learn is responsible for what and where I’ll be. Yes, at 23. But being late is nothing new to me. I’ve always been a late bloomer.

For the most part I’ve embraced being late. Everything I grew up believing, everything I should have already done at an age society deems fit, everything that is considered the logical steps in life, I’ve been late. I learned to find solace being one of the older ones in the group. It didn’t feel great hearing my parents compare me to others my age, but that’s become less and less of a concern as the years have gone by.


The NBA I knew is slowly ending. Names like Vince Carter and Dirk Nowitzki are in their final seasons. Players like Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony are seeing different roles. Don’t get me wrong, the new NBA is full of amazing young talent and the league is the best it’s been. But I still love to see the superstars of my youth striving as well. Like Chris Paul, who was a key player for Houston who pushed Golden State to the brink of elimination. Like LeBron James, who has appeared in 8 straight NBA finals. Manu’s retirement is not only an end of an era in the NBA, but the end of an era in me.

Like Chris Paul and LeBron, I must change my game. Going slower, being organized, breathing, and listening. I mean really listening. Looking at my history as a late bloomer, I’m confident that I’ll be happy in my next stage of life, albeit a little later than expected. The easy part is over, now comes the real challenge.

Adulthood.

If you enjoyed this piece, follow me on Twitter. I, however, cannot guarantee that you’ll like my tweets.

zakaria

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