This would be a breakthrough. In addition to making Garnett a reductive personification of all things Minnesotan, I’ve steadfastly refused to give a shit about any Boston team. I’m not the biggest Twins or Vikings fan, and any interest I had in the NHL died when shopping mall–building, Rolls Royce–driving magnate Norm Green moved the North Stars to, of all places, Dallas. But actually paying attention to the Red Sox or the Patriots (never mind the Bruins) always seemed to reek of opportunism. I didn’t grow up watching them; I hadn’t suffered with the die-hards; they weren’t mine.
Now, though, I’ve seen first-hand how destructive it can be when sports become a surrogate for place. And I’ve divvied up my self-imposed rehab program into two sets of complementary resolutions. First: stay connected to my home state by focusing on stuff that matters. Revive a dormant friendship or two; listen to more Prince; embark on a self-imposed Mary Tyler Moore bender. Second: drop the self-righteous, self-pitying Minnesota sports-fan crap. Follow the Sox. Watch the Patriots. And be there when the Wolves visit the Celtics on January 25, 2008 (allegiance TBD) — reminding myself, as I enjoy the game, that that’s really all it is.
Related:
Game on, Underground art, Highway to hell, More 
- Game on
Dodgers win the Series! Bird plays H.O.R.S.E.! Congressman Canseco! We have seen the future of sports (and its name is Tony Graffanino).
- Underground art
Next time a smirking subway conductor cackles wickedly while closing the folding doors in your face, don’t get angry.
- Highway to hell
The former SEC linebacking great should be available, after being Tasered on March 28, following a bizarre loitering arrest in Prichard, Alabama.
- A winning combination
Fans of the Sox and of local rock once had at least one thing in common: a big inferiority complex.
- Texas two-step
The Texas Longhorns have been a real gift to the sports-crime-reporting industry of late.
- Walk this way
The fans — even the post-ironic ones — found it hard to walk away.
- While you were out . . .
When you’re a student, it can seem as if reality just freezes when you leave town for the summer.
- Media monstrosities
On April 23, MIT sophomore David Sheets cataloged Web sites that can’t be reached on Boston’s free wireless network due to a screwy filtering program.
- Dr. Probert
A lot of strange incidents involving minor-league baseball have colored the “Briefs” sections of national sports coverage this year.
- Home boys
Don’t count out 7L & Esoteric just yet. 7L & Esoteric, "3 Minute Classic" (mp3)
- Ballin' and stealin'
The time has come to take a jurisprudential look at the upcoming NBA draft.
- Less
Topics:
Lifestyle Features
, Minneapolis, NBA Atlantic Division, NBA Eastern Conference, More
, Minneapolis, NBA Atlantic Division, NBA Eastern Conference, Tom Brady, Tom Brady, Los Angeles Clippers, NBA Pacific Division, NBA Western Conference, Men's Professional Basketball, AFC West Division, Less
