When you have authenticity, I think that translates to the heroes, the villains, people being more real — and easier — to cheer for or boo.
I always love talking to Michael Pina. There’s such an open affability, easy introspection and two-way curiosity any time we catch up — whether that’s been in passing at a tangled scrum, watching a Dunk Contest (and choking up) together or hanging out after a game. He’s one of those people who personifies the idea of speaking to someone being “a pleasure”.
We talked about the idea that one who covers a sport is bound to grow out of their fandom, Michael’s experience as a Celtics fan from childhood to now, Kevin Garnett’s beanbag chairs and general magnitude. We also got into likability vs. entertainment in the NBA, and the idea that there has to be a perfect balance in basketball (as a sport, as a product) instead of celebrating a necessary dichotomy of flaws and skill.
On the note of flaws, we touched on NBA villains and big personalities, and some of the less exciting or acceptable ways athletes can be cast as such, e.g. personal doubt, caring too much, being emotive, being petty, messing up, contradicting themselves a.k.a. exhibiting human behaviour.
Michael talked about how philosophical the Warriors can be and I teared up talking about not needing to be cool while also being great at basketball (Jayson Tatum) — whatever happens in the rest of the Finals, this is the only podcast about them you need.
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