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Thursday, September 26, 2024

Basketball: Hamartia (Fatal Flaws)

Other languages contain words that explain life better than an English word. You know MUDITA or "your joy is my joy," happiness for another's good fortune. 

Hamartia comes from the Greek, describing a "fatal flaw" that turned the hero's journey from success to tragedy. 

I asked ChatGPT for help"

Here are three examples from sports:

  1. Mike Tyson – Impulsiveness: Tyson, one of boxing’s most feared champions, had a career derailed by personal issues stemming from his impulsiveness and lack of self-control. His infamous ear-biting incident in a fight against Evander Holyfield and later personal problems, including imprisonment, significantly marred his legacy.

  2. Lance Armstrong – Arrogance and Deception: Armstrong’s remarkable achievements in cycling were overshadowed by a doping scandal. His hubris in denying allegations for years, coupled with an extensive cover-up, eventually led to his downfall when the truth surfaced. His success became a tragic fall from grace due to his overconfidence in manipulating the system.

  3. Tonya Harding – Ambition at All Costs: Harding was a talented figure skater whose ambition and willingness to go to extreme lengths became her tragic flaw. Her involvement in the infamous 1994 attack on fellow skater Nancy Kerrigan led to her being banned from the sport, despite her potential for greatness.

In all cases, their success was overshadowed by a flaw that led to their undoing.

Other causes for a "hero's demise"...substance abuse or alcoholism like so many, or overconfidence, such as General Custer's. At other times, unpredictable injuries or illness such as mental health problems occur. Sometimes, it's "the life," where partying distracts players from the hard work of development.  

Len Bias died from a cocaine overdose, a self-inflicted wound. There is some uncertainty about the death of Reggie Lewis. Drazen Petrovic died in a car accident. 

Teams implode, too. A woman's team that fell apart amidst a gay-straight split. A high school team collapsed when one player "stole" another player's boyfriend. In These Girls Hope Is a Muscle, Madeleine Blais describes the opposite, healing of a toxic relationship between the two superstar players who played for the Amherst Hurricanes. Their rivalry had prevented the team from achieving their destiny. 

Don't let hamartia bring you down. 

Lagniappe. Do players realize what it takes? 

Lagniappe 2. Being able to do well what you do means more than having an enormous inventory of actions. 

Lagniappe 3. Who, where, and when all matter with regard to shot selection. 

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