justindetmers.com

First of all, thank you.

You’ve taken Sparty hoops to a new level; you’ve done it with fundamentals, team defense, and rebounding … not by getting 4 Blue-Chippers each year (that’s why UNC will never impress me) that turn into lottery picks.

I want you to stay, but I think you’re going to leave and I’m okay with that.

I won’t be a jealous fan, I’ve already been spoiled by 6 conference championships, 6 trips to the Final Four, and that 2000 title. You’ve done the green a solid.

Let’s be honest, the Cleveland job is about as good of an offer as someone can get; (possibly) coaching LeBron, coaching a great team, being paid much more, a chance to have success at the highest level, and being done with the immaturity of the 20-year-olds in East Lansing … is pretty enticing.

But because next year’s team will have good shot at winning another title and the NBA will probably always want you, weigh the options and know that I’ve got your back either way.

- Justin

Tonight on ESPN; I’m not a gracious winner.

VERSUS

Even with an unsuccessful dunk, this is amazing (and speaking of amazing, how about the name, Tiny Gallon!):

My friend sent me a link to this story, via The Onion:

SOUTH BEND, IN—Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Savior of All Mankind, and current defensive coordinator at Middle Tennessee State, said Monday that He would not accept Notre Dame’s 3-year, $5.6 million offer to coach the Fighting Irish. “I love Notre Dame and respect their football legacy, but no matter what you’ve accomplished before coaching there, once you’re a Golden Domer, the expectations, frankly, are unrealistic,” said Christ, whose family has been involved with the university since its founding. “I’ve had people turn on Me before, and it really put Me through hell. But even more importantly, I’ve made a commitment to stay with the Blue Raiders through 2015.” Christ denied asking Notre Dame to remove His likeness from the building overlooking their stadium, saying He liked a good joke as much as anybody.

I’ve decided that my life needs leisure, so a bit of college hoop on XBox 360 it is. Ah, the world of make-believe:

I know how this child feels.

Go Green!

Dashboard Confessional – Thick as Thieves

Spring has finally broken the mighty shackles of the cold and clouds that plague mid-Michigan from November to April. (I understand why so many people live in Southern California, it could be like this all the time) When the warm sun shines, being indoors is nothing short of the cruelest torture; it is time to get dark(er) skin and healthy. I hope that by saying this publicly, I’ll have to follow through with getting back in the rhythms that make me feel alive – running, hooping, climbing, lifting…perhaps catch a track meet or a Tiger’s game. Each winter in the past few years has progressively found me doing less and less en lieu of hard work, and I don’t know how much longer I’ll be able to do this:

…photo by my pal, Brett.

Now playing: Pete Yorn – Vampyre

Earlier this week, may pal Ian and I watched and enjoyed the provocative documentary Bigger, Stronger, Faster. Filmmaker Christopher Bell starts by visiting his boyhood heroes and then goes on to the American Steroids culture that he and his brothers all have become part of. Bell’s personal journey offers a lens through which we can ‘see’ US culture, a culture that he suggests is essentially on steroids; rewarding the ‘biggest, faster, strongest’ & most physically attractive.

Watching the film forced me to think; I aim to value persons (myself too) based on who they are and for the Image that they were creating in. Yet, being someone who has participated in sports/fitness culture from my earlier childhood (being a college athlete, to men’s league & road races & lifting, and watching sports) makes me feel a little called out. Even though I’ve never been into the body building (no huge muscles here) side of things, I did begin to see myself or at least some of my thought patterns in the documentary.

We all call on something to save us, practically speaking. There is something(s) that make you and I feel whole, comforted, joyful, okay, acceptable, and generally safe. This could be your appearance, your money, what people think of you, your abilities…things Mark Driscoll calls “functional saviors”. Or, perhaps you find a ‘functional savior’ in religion (instead of The Savior who founded it); excelling in wisdom, fluency with doctrine, virtue, or the ability to vilify others who hold differing views – all to contrast me with ‘them’, so I can rank myself above ‘them’.

Digging deeper and deeper, I’m reminded of two passages: 1) Jesus telling us to be careful not to do acts of righteousness (prayer, giving to the needy) just to be seen by people. 2) I also can’t but help be reminded of what Paul said about issues of ambition and motivation. The punch line is finding that healthy balanced between excellence & obsession, because doing things well isn’t the issue. It’s about asking whose glory is at stake, are we doing things for vanity’s sake or for something bigger and greater?