Editor's note: Like you, NBC Sports Bay Area insiders, reporters and analysts are feeling the sports void during the coronavirus stoppage. They'll share their thoughts every Monday, Wednesday and Friday in "What I Miss About Sports." Next up in the series: Kings Pre and Postgame Host Jim Kozimor.
When I was young I used to love trying to re-create the plays of my sports heroes. I tried to make a shot or pass the way Pete Maravich did. Or become an NFL running back and gallop over and around the defense, which was made up of my strategically placed family room furniture. For that moment, I was Walter Payton breaking tackles and taking on the toughest defense.
What I miss about sports is seeing neighborhood boys and girls out in the driveway trying to replicate Steph Curry twisting Chris Paul into the ground with a baseline move. I miss kids trying to be Jimmy Garappolo and throwing a desperation fourth-down pass to a little George Kittle, who imagines breaking four tackles on his way to winning the game against the Saints.
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Part of our connection to sports is that we can imagine ourselves in the big moment making the game-saving play. What Bay Area kid didn't grow up thinking they were either Joe Montana throwing the pass or Dwight Clark making The Catch?
Those re-created moments make sports magical. It carries us from generation-to-generation as fans. And I'll know that life is getting close to normal when a youngster is outside firing a jumper like Klay Thompson, or hitting a home run like Matt Chapman.
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For some, maybe it's to float a pass like Tom Brady or shoot a puck like Logan Couture. Because every little kid wants to be just like their favorite player.
NBA
That's what I miss about sports.