After our in-class discussion on Monday, I can not stop thinking about how professional basketball exemplifies the definition of metis found in our readings and discussion.
In the De Certeau reading, an economic principle of metis is discussed. The premise of this principle is that metis involves getting the maximum effect from the minimum amount of effort. Professional basketball is all about pacing and making as many easy baskets as you can. One complaint I hear often with regards to professional basketball is that they don’t try for the first three quarters of the game. As someone who has seen a few professional games in person and many on TV, I admit there is less hustle shown in the early quarters. However, I don’t feel it is because the players do not care about the outcome of the game. Instead, they are just trying to pace themselves. They understand it is hard to give 100% effort for 48 straight minutes, and that a couple of baskets early in the game can be made up.
In the first extract of Detienne and Vernant an individual with metis is described as being more changeable, more mobile, than their circumstances. Basketball players likewise have to adjust to whatever is thrown at them, whether it be a different defense or how the referees are calling the game. The great players are able to win by overcoming these obstacles by either passing out of the double team to find the open player or find some other way to get a shot off.
We also discussed about seizing the right or opportune moment. Great basketball players like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Time Duncan focus on getting their teammates involved at the beginning of the game. They understand that their teammates need to build confidence in their scoring ability so that when they are forced to give up the ball because of a double team late in the game their teammates can make the play. Great players also know when it is their responsibility to step up and make a shot to stop a run by the other team. There are many moments in a game that can be deemed critical. The superstars that win are able to analyze these moments and make a judgment of what the best option is for that moment.
As I mentioned in class, Michael Jordan was able to keep future hall of famers like Karl Malone, John Stockton, Reggie Miller, and Charles Barkley from winning a championship. There is no physical basketball skill
1 comment:
I agree with most of what you're saying, but I think equally important as executing in the critical moment (like Jordan was so masterful at) is recognizing that critical time. Its true that often getting teammates involved early and taking over late is a successful strategy, but that obviously doesn't always work. That "metis" moment could be taking the crowd out of it early with an earth-shattering dunk, or countering an an early run by taking over with one of your own. I also think metis can happen without even making a key block, shot, pass, or any kind of play. Last May in Game 6 of the 1st round playoff series between the Cavs and Wizards, Gilbert Arenas was shooting two shots at the line with his team up by one late in the game. Cavs star LeBron James was reduced to a bystander, with his team's fate in another player's hands, but he STILL found a way to seize the moment and show his "metis." As he walked across the paint he stopped to speak to Arenas, telling him "if he missed both of those free throws, the game was over." This bit of gamesmanship psyched out Arenas and indeed he missed both.
You can find "metis" everywhere and in every situation on and off the court.
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