Why Do We Love Upsets?
Sean-lympics Day 5
Again, no “Other Watches” today, so just Basketball and the Feature Story.
Basketball
France:76 def. Serbia:75
What an odd game, it started off looking like Serbia might want to throw it then they stormed back and took a promising lead. I was under the impression that this might be a game that both would try to throw. Seeing that 3rd place in Group A was on the line — a seed that will be on the USA’s side of the bracket — and teams have not been shy about jockeying for advantageous seeding in the past. But come the end of the game both teams were trying terribly to win. Terribly, as in they were trying hard but doing a horrible job of it. Serbia couldn’t defend a rich white rapist to Aaron Persky (google only if you want to be mad) and Nic Batum’s missed layup almost gave Serbia the chance to steal the game back. All in all, exciting game but Serbia may have done themselves a favor by losing. Because either nobody in Group B is necessarily worth avoiding compared to other teams and the U.S. give you the hardest path to a possible final. Maybe France was high on Australia.
Highlight of the Game: Nando De Colo’s spin move on his club teammate Teodosic, who is notoriously bad at defense. Such a clean move. It was great to see some of Europe’s best in De Colo and Raduljica carry their teams. Europe has some ballers.
USA:98 def. Australia:88
I was rooting for Australia so hard once it became evident they were going to try. Something I must say that I found surprising. It didn’t make sense from an Aussie point of view to go all out in a game that is effectively meaningless. Both of these teams will easily make it through to the knockouts and Australia could have given them their best shot in a gold medal match. It was an encouraging showing none the less. I couldn’t help but project Simmons and Exum into the game too. Simmons would have helped a lot giving them a body to match up with Melo better than Baynes. And Exum should be a defensive demon with his size, speed and length. The only downside is that this is probably the best Bogut is going to be from this point on. He really has stepped up huge these games and I have to say Australia looks like the second best team here and maybe best “team”. Just not quite talented enough to take down the Americans. There were some real parallels with the women’s 4x200 Relay and this game. Australia going out fast and pushing America only to be outdone by their overwhelming talent (Katie Ledecky) in the last quarter.
Highlight of the Game: Any of Delly’s assists, the dude looks like a legit NBA point guard. It will be so interesting to see what he can do with Giannis next year. But right now he and Bogut’s chemistry is off the charts. And like I said in my preview, Boomers Patty Mills is basically Steph Curry.
Venezuela:72 def. China:68
This was the championship game for these two. It was probably the only chance either of these teams had to get a win. I have to say, very impressed with the game from Zhou Qi, yes it was the weakest competition but I do believe in this guy as a backup big down the line. I wouldn’t mind him as a third center next year even. Venezuela came up with the win and congrats to them. Their international squad has been punching way above their weight and I’d love to see some young Venezuelans get excited about basketball.
Highlight of the Game: When we basically knew how Group A would finish. USA, Australia, France, Serbia, Venezuela, China. I would be shocked if anything changed.
Why Do We Love Upsets?
Feature Story
I switched over tennis when I got a notification that there was an upset on the cards. I sat grinning, eager to watch del Potro put world number one, Novak Djokovic away. Del Potro took a commanding lead in the tie-break, held a quintuple-match point, and I was still on the edge of my seat. Then he did it. He beat the Djoker, sent him home. The two met at center court, hugged and exchanged some works. Del Potro turned around and raised his arms in excitement to the crowd and Djokovic, well he cried.
Why do we love upsets?
Djokovic first represented Serbia in Beijing as the third-seeded tennis player in the tournament. He finished on par, a bronze medal. Respectable, but not gold, not a win. It wasn’t a failure by any means, he was 21, a promising tennis player who would surely get another shot, or two. And the experience of being on a podium, even if it was the lowest one.
In 2012 as the world’s number one player he was chosen as Serbia’s flag bearer for the opening ceremonies. The most recognizable athlete in the country, a gold would surely follow. But one didn’t. He lost in straight sets to a local boy with the home crowd at his back. Sound familiar? And then, in the bronze medal match, he lost to del Potro. Sound familiar now? It was okay though, because he would surely get another chance.
Fast forward to last week, Djokovic started his (probably last) Olympic tennis campaign against a familiar foe. It was the man who he had last played in Olympic competition, Juan Martin del Potro. Del Potro, coming off injury, was ranked 141. One-hundred-forty spots behind Novak Djokovic. Djokovic was the reigning champion of every major, a feat dubbed the “Nole Slam”. The spot left in his trophy cabinet was for an Olympic gold medal. And I tuned in, to watch his dream die.
Why do we love upsets?
I can’t tell you why Djokovic lost. Had he not slept well the night before? Had he eaten a bad meal? Was he just unlucky on the day? Was his mental preparation not good enough? I can’t answer these questions. But I can tell you that Djokovic is great, and it is sad when greatness doesn’t get to show. I am sure the next time my phone buzzes, and says “MAJOR UPSET ALERT! Serena Williams…” I’ll tune in. I’ll watch intently. But I’ll hope that greatness shines, and luck doesn’t rule the day.
