Tyrell Terry Rejects NBA
He’s only 22 and Tyrell Terry told the world via Instagram that he is walking away from basketball. “Today I decided to let go of the game that has formed a large part of my identity.”
Why do I say only 22? Because I’m naive like everybody else. We are constantly told to hang on to our dreams. Patience. They will come true. They do, for about 5% of all humanity. Tyrell Terry is realistic enough to realize that dreams depend on location, rules governing that location and people behind that location.
The NBA was the location. Tyrell Terry did not mention money, but something more valuable. He left because he found himself: …. “where I began to despise and question the value of myself.”
In the NBA location, playing increases value, self esteem and a good night’s sleep. Being on the bench doesn’t. Once again Tyrell Terry did not say he was leaving because he was always on the bench, but if you can’t be on the floor playing, are you really a professional basketball player?
If coaches don’t use you because the general manager brought you in to fill Kawhi Leonard’s shoes when he left Toronto Raptors after his great contribution to their championship, are you really a professional basketball player? How are players supposed to know about front desk rivalry?
Young players are clapping for Tyrell Terry because he had the proverbial balls to admit it. In fact they envy him. They know exactly what he is talking about, but they wouldn’t dare raise their hands and say Amen. Is it in their contract never to talk about it? We better ask sports agents.
He’s only 22. That doesn’t mean a thing. Sitting on the bench is no guarantee that he will be the next Fred VanVleet who plays for the Toronto Raptors. I’m using him as an example because he’s not a tall tree like most basketball players. Tyrell Terry had the disadvantage of height.
Disadvantage? Yes, because teachers, parents, girlfriends, indoctrinate tall kids: You’re quite tall. You should be in the NBA. It’s like tall girls who are conditioned that they’ll be models like Naomi Campbell.
Tyrell Terry is a hero for 22 year-old bench warmers he left behind. He walked away because he realized he will never be the next Anthony Davis, Bam Adebayo, Trae Young, Devin Booker, Pascal Siakam, Steve Curry, Jaylen Brown, Ja Morant and many others.
Tyrell Terry will be part of NBA archives because he admitted that he could not wait a lifetime to achieve his dreams because the location is static. Location, location, location, as they say in real estate.
By: Nonqaba waka Msimang.
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