by Kent Lowe
Special to LSUsports.net
Its a simple assignment. Write the annual holiday column.
I wish it was that simple. You have to be in the proper frame of mind to make it work. And worst of all, its the last column of the millennium.
(Okay, I know all that stuff about it not really being the end of the millennium until Dec. 2000, but hey everybody else is partying like its 1999, so why not join the fun.)
Its hard not to be in the Christmas spirit at this time of year. Even going to participate in the “Battle of the Local Malls” has its moments of fun. You know its true what they say about why cant we have the Christmas spirit all year long. After seeing Christmas decorations in one store in town weeks before Thanksgiving, you would think that was really the case.
But when you get to this time of the year, it really means only one thing: its really basketball season. Maybe all of the LSU fans have been given a nice Christmas present this year, a wonderful start to the season and a chance to watch a good group of athletes work together to put together something that could be pretty wonderful.
Now 8-0 is a long way from an NCAA Tournament berth. There are so many potholes in the road I cant see the forest for the trees. But LSU fans are beginning to believe and are hoping that this is the year the six-year nightmare of losing seasons ends.
But saying yes, Virginia there is a Santa Clause, and finding tickets to the Final Four are two entirely different things. But believing is an entirely different matter and thats what a lot of the future of LSU basketball is about.
To believe that wins no matter how big or small is a positive is a good thing for the direction of this program. To believe that every game must have a 75-point margin like the opening night win over Grambling State is another thing all together. Its not going to happen and at this stage in the programs rebirth, a five-point win is as good as 75 in my book. To be fair to this program, the thought that the number on the left hand side in the win-loss column increases is much more important than the number in the margin of victory column.
To believe that this program is headed in the right direction is one thing. To believe this program has reached the top of the mountain as of this very date is getting a little ahead of the game. We all must realize exactly what Coach Brady and his staff realizes, that the battle is a long way from over. There are still two more years when the numbers wont be right. Two more years when the other teams will have more recruiting advantages, etc.
But that is the hand that is dealt.
The thing to understand is that while we as fans have bought into the John Brady system, the players are the ones who must buy into it fully. Again, there goes that believe word again. But if they dont believe that they can be successful, it becomes that much more difficult. The players believed they could win the tournament in Hawaii and those dreams came true. If they will stick together and work as a unit, not as individuals, then believing in a winning season and who knows what else, could be not a dream, but a legitimate reality.
Thats all we can ask for because if we believe in the small goals our team accomplishes, then later we could see a nice big pictures that makes us believe in bigger and better things in a new millennium.
Believing and dreaming are special things at this time of year. But watching the beliefs grow into reality can be even more special.
—
In this holiday season, on behalf of the Coach John Brady and the LSU basketball family, let me take this opportunity to wish you a happy and blessed holiday season. May this season warm your heart and may you feel the happiness of the season in all you do. We appreciate the warmth and friendship you have shown this program in the past and we look forward to having you on our basketball journeys in the future.
I hop that sometime during this period you get to spend some times with the ones who matter the most in your life whether they be family, friends or both. Be especially careful if your traveling, because we all want to see you back here for the opening game of the SEC season, against Alabama on Jan. 5, 2000. Wonder how many times Ill type 1000 over the course of the next year.
Again, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year. Break out the eggnog and cider and as always, enjoy the games everyone. Have a great Holiday!!!!