Glad to be back after a hectic day away from here.
Anyway, I am quite happy that the Knicks have made it a real series with the Heat.
Having won that single game took a tremendous load off of their shoulders, and brought the series back to Miami.
No, I don't think the Knicks are going to win this--the latest injury, to point guard Baron Davis, isn't going to help--but at least it makes it more fun.
This matchup is one of many head-to-heads among the best teams in the National Basketball Association, and yes, it is exciting.
But this isn't the only basketball going on right now.
I attended a game yesterday that may not have featured the greatest talent, but it was truly as inspiring a contest as I have seen this year.
The Challenger Basketball League--comprised of teams of Special Education children from different middle schools and high schools on Long Island--played a special game yesterday at Bethpage's JFK Middle School that my son participated in.
It was held as a culmination of a day that was set aside to honor the school's Teacher of the Year candidate, whose name I regrettably can't remember right now. She was followed around by a film crew from ABC, and she will appear on the Kelly Ripa show next Monday, May 14, along with clips of the game.
The game was Bethpage vs. Massapequa, and my son is on Massapequa's team. They lost, but the inspiration that they provided will last far beyond this game.
Many of these kids have physical, social and mental impediments that hold them back from having a regular high school life. Some have trouble focusing because of these problems, and need attendants while in school or on the basketball court to maneuver the rough waters that high school brings.
The score was inconsequential, because it got these kids moving. While, as a society, we talk about kids being more into their electronic devices than into their own bodies, these types of kids are the ones that are often left out of athletics, because many of them simply don't have the mental or physical skills to compete.
My son is lucky in that respect. Although he does have a learning problem, his motor skills are fine, if not up to the level of most high school kids. He has played baseball, ran track, and can handle himself on the basketball court.
Some of the kids we saw yesterday were in the same boat, others better and worse off.
But they competed, and had lots of fun running up and down the court and making an occasional basket.
I salute the kids from both teams, all the kids in this program, and the teachers who oversee it.
They have done an excellent job, and the smiles on the faces of these kids is a testament to the hard work that has been put into this program by all involved.
My family and I look forward to next season. It should even be better than this one was!
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