ESPN referred to Brandon Roy’s comeback performance in Game 4 of the 2011 playoffs as ‘one of the greatest comebacks ever’. They followed up the story in typical fashion, by going around the horn of the ESPN universe to gauge the reaction. The next day, they moved on.
ESPN, a national Sports Network, is often accused of showing a bias towards big markets stories. Had it been LeBron James who battled injuries to erase a 22 point deficit, they would’ve handled it like election coverage. Which isn’t necessarily a fault. In their perspective it makes sense: a story revolving around New York is going to draw more attention than one about Portland.
My perspective remains different. As someone who was part of the sold out, April 23rd Rose Garden crowd, I remember it as watching a miracle unfold before me. In my mind, I was watching Kurt Gibson’s home run. It was seeing Willis Reid emerge from the tunnel at Madison Square Garden. It was the hand of God reaching down from the Heavens and curing leprosy.
For casual observers, this might sound like a dramatic over-sell. But not for those who were there. Not for those who watched a lethargic Blazer squad enter the 4th quarter down 18 points. Not for those fans who for months were told that Roy’s career, due to two meniscus less knees, was in basketball Hospice.
I can’t imagine ever forgetting that game. I will savor the details like prized heirlooms. Roy’s go ahead shot over Shawn Marion, the roar of the crowd. The taste of blood in my mouth after my voice left me.
ESPN gave the comeback credit, but they didn’t understand what it meant for us there. The next day they moved on. Nine months later, I’m still there.
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