Basketball, World Peace, and Things That "Matter"
By: Mark Joyner
One of the comments in reply to my basketball post got me thinking.
"Gentlemen, gentlemen... Don't fight a war, make a bet worthwhile to us Simpleology users." (from Mido)
Mido, that's exactly what we're going to do. More about that in a second.
Before that, I want to address a few of the comments Bean and I received.
First, I think this was clear to almost everyone, but for those to whom it was not clear: Bean and I are not really "fighting."
This is some fun macho chest beating about our beloved teams and we're having a real hoot of a time doing it.
Next, some folks were offended that we'd bring up basketball when there are more serious issues to attend to in the world.
Hey, I hear you! Anyone who follows my personal blog knows just how deeply I'm concerned about these matters as well. And you'll also know what I'm doing about it.
Why then, do I write about basketball?
Well, one's concern for the world doesn't mean we can't all blow off some steam from time to time, right? And again, basketball is a game that puts greatness (and yes, sometimes vulgarity) on display for us all to watch and learn.
Indeed, the concept of "friendly competition" is one that is intended to short circuit the desire of men to kill one another. If they can get out their aggression and settle their disputes on the playing field, it can prevent them from doing so on the streets.
Does it really work?
Well, who knows ...
But the Greeks thought so when they launched the Olympic games in 776 B.C.
The idea was that they could end conflict between, and increase camaraderie amongst, the Greek city-states through friendly competition.
Sadly, perhaps because of the waning integrity of the news media (the same news media that has us all more educated about the nuance of political scandal than the substantive issues of politics), we are alerted when sport is ugly, but not when it is sublime.
We hear about the steroid scandal, but not about the man who "irreparably" injures himself, overcomes it, and goes on to win a championship.
We hear about the sportsman who cheats on his wife, but not so much about the man who was raised in a crack house who then uses the money he earned from basketball to create a drug rehab center on the same street.
So, perhaps its time to give basketball a chance.
Now, to that little wager Mido suggested.
Here's what we're going to do ...
You may remember last year we released a program called "Word of Mouth Transformation!" It's a live coaching program about word-of-mouth marketing that is ongoing right now as I write this.
The results people have been getting are nothing short of astonishing.
I was planning to re-release the program next year, but only in "replay" mode. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll have the time to take on any more live coaching work in the future.
What does this have to do with Mido's suggestion?
Well, I want to make a little wager with you.
Here's the deal: click here and pick the winning team.
I'll pick three people from amongst those who pick the winning team and "Unlock Everything."
That means: if you're one of the three winners, we'll unlock for you every single product Simpleology has ever created (over $3,500 in actual retail value).
If you pick the winning team but you're not one of the lucky three, we'll give you a chance to purchase Word of Mouth Transformation Replay at a steep discount - and then unlock for you every other product we have ever created.
The above will only be available to the first 1,000 to reply, though. It's a great deal and we still need to stay in business after this contest :-)
And hey, if you win and you already own some of these products, we'll give you credit for future products we release - redeemable on a dollar-for-dollar basis.
Fair enough?
OK, let's have some fun together. Let's see if you can pick the winning team.
Comments
You know, I'm from Michigan, so I don't really follow anyone except Detroit teams.
That said, since the Pistons AREN'T in the playoffs this year, I guess I'll have to go with Boston - my hubby's from Worcester.
This is a great opportunity, and fun. Thanks Mark and Bean.
Although I am from Australia and have no idea about baseball I think I may have to watch the game on cable to see if my chosen team wins. Always like to learn something new, especially to do with sport.
Classic understatement:
"Next, some folks were offended that we'd bring up basketball when there are more serious issues to attend to in the world."
More serious issues? The whole of Europe is following the Euro 2008 soccer. In the hierarchy of serious issues soccer comes just above life and death.
Now basketball? It's a minority-sport side-issue over here! But hey, despite the recent record, Lakers are going to use that home advantage and decimate Celtic. Not that I'm interested of course!
Celtics in 5
If I have not read your posts wrong, I picked my team the same way you did: with my heart, not my head.
Mark,
Kobe's "Lunesta" pills around the court shouldn't be a worry now in LA. Boston has definitely looked hungrier for the first games, but that doesn't mean 1+1 may equal 4 anytime soon.
Let's hope my good spirit is heard by the man...
Time for Caffeine Kobe -WAKE UP!
Good stuff.
Boricua
Thanks Mark - should be fun.
Wow, that's like the best offer ever...
(Go Celtics!)
Linus
Celtics got the game this time!!
Like the LAkers but afraid the Celts will take it in 6
Well being from Denmark I don't follow that as much as I'm following the European soccer championship, but I have to go with the Boston Celtics on this one.
Tom
Whatever happen, Lakers will always be my team :D
Boston Celtics
Kathy
Boston Celtics!
Rather watch a Lakers loss then the current Politics. What are the Celtics? They wii prevale.
Celtics!
The Boston Celtics really want this championship. I think they're going to take it over the Los Angeles Lakers !
Re: "You are one scary judge of talent, Mark"
Surely my local wager is also alive and kicking! Bryant woke up and the team did great as I also thought.
Now we have to wait and see if the methaphysical curve of beginning games' are worth the 7 home-to-road basketball court exchanges.
Mark!!!
Something tells me you hit a wager MJ? Lol you'll win no worries, Bryan needs to sacrifice himself more for the next steps, he will have games on the road.
Bryant should be able to sacrifice enough for what is coming for him. It won't matter either way, if it goes to Boston (and it will) Bryan will win.
Colorado babe' move over, new ring coming soon. Home runs or hits, its coming!
For sure...
Go Lakers!
I don't know about basketball but from my husband's stories (also a Lakers fan), I think that the Celtics are more prepared to win.
Why:
1.Home court advantage.
When you have thousands of people cheering you, you feel like a winner. Naturally, in most games, the teams with more home court advantages win.
2.Celtics are more prepared to win.
They signed up several new stars, while LA took only one. Winning in basketball or in any other area of life is usually determined by how bad you want to win.
3. Better strategy.
I just watched the first game for 2 minutes and when I saw that every seat in the stadium in Boston covered with a t-shirt that said "Beat LA" in the first game, I knew that was a winning strategy. In every war, winning begins with the most comprehensive strategy.
Let me applaud Simpleology lessons & webcockpit for giving us a wonderful strategy to win in the market place. From the bottom of my heart, thank you Mark for sharing your knowledge & putting out great products! Someone wrote earlier about how teachers changed lives. Well…you and I (I am also a nonfiction author) are teachers. We don’t teach in the classroom, but we share our knowledge to empower people so they can have better life. And that's what matter.
Enjoy the game and share to us the wisdom that you learned from watching them.
Ladies, let the guys have fun. We may never understand why they enjoy the game so much. They have hormones that we don't have. And hey, if sports can replace war, I am all for it!
I know nothing about baseball because I am in the UK.
Now I am routing for the Celtics.
Hi There,
I am from South Africa and don't really watch a lot of Basketball. Although I love some good competitive sport and we are the world champion Rugby players at the moment! Woo ho!
Anyway, I voted for the Lakers stupidly without having read the comments, but it seems the Celtics have home court advantage. I'm scared now, because that does swing it in the Celtics direction, but you never know. Who is Mark supporting? he he.
I would love to watch the game. Can somebody please tell me when this final is please?
Many thanks,
Jared Talbot
Since my team isn't playing, I'll have to root for the Celtics. Girls like basketball, too!
Sir,
I am expecting EARN more and more
kindly guide me
Boston Celtics
This was fun, cant wait to see who the winners are, I almost went with boston, but in the end went the other way mostly because of the percentages of a 3 of 3 at home were not exactly 100% thanks for the cool contest.
Tim BTW, I was in LV about three weeks ago, the pollen was terrible.
Celtics in straight sets? Yeah right..Great comp Mark..
I'm already a Simpleology-aholic so looking forward to it..For those following the euro2008 can Greece go back to back??
Did they really win last time..Im still in shock..only goes to show anything can happen...
I go for the Boston Celtics...
Boston is the team of destiny this year.
First the winner -- Celtics, plain and simple :)
Second, about Classic understatement:
"Next, some folks were offended that we'd bring up basketball when there are more serious issues to attend to in the world."
Gee... lighten up people. There have ALWAYS been unplesant (but sometimes necessarry) events going on in the world. But life should still be enjoyed... even in war raged countries people play soccer and basketball. Don't be a Debbie Downer!
Sometimes I believe my former mindset of ignoring pleasant things in the face of world issues, money issues, personal issues that made many things seem worse than they were, or through the actions taken in the spirit of worry, actually Made things worse than they are.
It's like Wayne Dyer says (I paraphrase) - you can't feel bad enough to make anyone else's situation better.
So what can? Maybe not talking about how the Lakers are going to STOMP BOSTON (even the Boston Herald said "Kobe Bryant Never More Giant" - 36 points!) - but it's been scientifically proven that it won't hurt!
Lakers aren't my team, but I just can't stand the Celtics. Even when Larry Bird was playing.
celtics in 6
I don't watch much sports, but I do hear about the superstars occasionally. Kobe seems to be too much of a prima donna, doesn't like to share. So I am going with the Celtics.
Cathy
Go Celts...
Plenty of great sports around the world for all to enjoy! Played rugby, coached youth soccer ( and my kids still love to play ), love the play offs ( even if i think they're fixed ), baseball season ( K Griffey hits 600 ), it's all good. And good for you too.
All work and no play makes for a rather dull existence!
Thanks for the fun Mark!
Kobe MVP, Kobe World Champion!
"Lakers are crowned the NBA World Champions" This is the News Headline in a week or so
as the Lakers hoist the Larry O'brien trophy for the 15th time in their franchise history.
No question - The Celtics. The sports gods owe us after that superbowl nightmare. Plus the Celtics are 30-0 when leading a 7 games series 2-0. Not to mention the higher winning percentage we have in the finals. 80 something percent to LA's 50 something. Plus we're the better team.
I've never been a Laker fan but this year there are some great guys on the team not including Kobe! I'm rooting for the Lakers!
I haven't a clue.
Lets go for the Celtics.
Good luck to both
Enjoy the game
Isabelle
I used to work for Adidas and they sponsored Kobe when he was still a Rookie, so I go for the Lakers.
I live in the LA area, so theoretically I SHOULD be voting for the Lakers, without question. However, in the spirit of voting for the underdog, it's time for Kevin Garnett to get his due. He's a class act kind of guy, so I am voting for the Celtics!
Okay, I dont' really follow basketball but that's probably because I've never been to a live, big-league game.
Because I know very little about the two teams, I decided to crunch some numbers (team stats), and it looks like the -Celtics- are going to win. (Sorry, Mark)
May the best team win - and may everyone savour the fun and joy of it all.
:)
I vote for the Celtics!
Rob
Well, it looks like the Celtics have quite the following. If they have that much support there is a good chance they'll win
Gail
This year is the year for celtic.In NBA history,there's no record to win the game 3 in a row.So Celtic will win 2 in home,steal one of three game in LA,and lock the glory in boston next week
For some reason I forgot to comment here after I voted.
Anyway...it's been a long time since I followed pro basketball, but I like the concept of the contest.
Like others who have posted I went with the statistics which should be no shock for those who understand the psychology. ;-)
So, good luck to all and out of sheer curiosity I wonder who will reap the huge benefits of actually being chosen a winner.
Peace & Thanks,
--Jay
Green is my favorite color and seeing as MY team, the Seattle Super Sonics, have been ripped from our town, I will have to go with The Celtics. Besides the Lakers are a bunch of Hollywood whiners!!! And Boston has a prettier floor.
GO GREEN!!!
Shari
Boston Celtics
Well, I think it's obvious at this point... the Celtics. If not in 5, it'll be in 6.
As much as I'd like LA to win, I just don't think they can beat Boston on the road.
Celtics and 5 to win......I know absolutely nothing ...............this came from my better half.
Boston Celtics has it.
hmn, u know Kobe is doing as much as he could, but unfortunately! he can no longer sustain the invulnerability of their team. So Boston will gonna rock on this game! Who is Kobe Bryant? He's nothing at all...........
U know! LA is so much dependent on thier Team leader! But actually, their greater than him! Really. Kobe is nothing even great as pierce or allen. He only got his Fame! Not on the real game.....
Celts
BEEN A CELTICS FAN FOR YEARS, MUST PICK BOSTON!
CELTICS ALL THE WAY!!!
thanks mark...this should be fun
Mark, I do care about the outcome of the game. Being from Boston, I am a Celtics fan. Need I say more?
I trully belive the Celtics win. Why? Hwy not! I have no clue. Ask me about football instead,
I cross my fingers.
Trullu regards from me.
Lakers, all the way!
Like the 50-year-old hippy sez, "Over 200 acid trips, and they've all been bummers. But I ain't giving up!"
Sorry, but I must choose the Celtics to win the NBA Championship in the sixth game of the series. ( because my beloved San Antonio Spurs are not in the competition this year.)
celtics for sure we have waited too many years to let this one pass by, green machine in 5
Celtics will win their first championship since the Larry Bird era. They just have more desire than the Lakers right now. The Laker's time will come. They have a young nucleus of talented players led by Kobe Bryant.
I am 58 y.o. tomorrow on Fathers Day. Congrats on all Fathers, ever. I live outside of Boston and have always loved the Boston teams and I have seen all 16 Celtics WORLD CHAMPION WINS, but this one is out of no where. I love the fact that the west coast could see THE BOSTON CELTICS win on the west coast tomorrow, I hope.
Thanks for the passion of the sport who ever side you own. Thanks.
Mr. Joyner,
I have seen your keen interest and work on a working device to run our cars on water. It is on youtube.
Believe it or not you have a very huge following and we are desperate for relief from the obscene gas prices.
Please do put the device on the market soonest and put me down on the waiting list for purchase.
In other matters, the Celtics have it.
I'm hoping Kobe and co have been reading their Simpleology lessons since the last game and will become the only team in history to turn it around.
(or is it just that terrible British habit of always rooting for the underdog?)
I trully belive the Lakers win. Why not!
I do hope so.
Regards from me
I'll be frank in my next comment as one must understand the competition and teams that are going to participate, their strenth and weekness to suvey them. For the sake of teamsprit I support Lakers as they are known team thro' my younger brother at UK and I prefer to validate them before commet them from the details provided by another person and I abide this analogy from and to like a postal service. SR3.
Sorry Laker fans but Celtics rap it up tuesday night in front of the home crowd.
Boston !
Since I'm a Minnesota boy, I gotta cheer for KG and the Celtics.
Celtics! :D
Congratulations to each person who felt the thrill of Celtics' victory.
Commiserations to each person who felt the "agony" of Lakers' defeat.
I'm not a basketball fan, but I appreciate the purity of sport played well and I feel utter solidarity with you when you wholeheartedly engage your bodymind in the sporting process. (... which, beginning next week, I'll do as Wimbledon begins!)
it will be day for chicgo bulls this time