Invitations & tributes

A few days ago, I received an invitation to play with the Kazakh National Team in a series of “friendship matches” with teams representing former republics of the Soviet Union.

Regular readers of this blog may be surprised to know that I’m hardly a well-known player in certain regions of former Soviet Union. They simply don’t have access to the rich media communication tools there that I’ve relied on here, in this blog and elsewhere, to communicate my key basketball messages.

To make a long story short, it has emerged that the Kazakh authorities require me to present “Letters of Introduction and Recommendation” on my arrival at their national airport.

I turned to my teammates for help. It can be embarrassing for them to compare themselves to me, but I’m pleased with their words of support, a few of which are perhaps not inappropriate for me to share with my readership here:

TO THE KAZAKH NATIONALS:

1. Waste no time in putting The BigMan at post.
2. You’d be fortunate to get “The Goggle” to contribute to your team.
3. Words cannot express my opinion of the BigMan’s inside game.
4. I can’t recommend the BigMan’s outside shot too highly.
5. When one sees such players on the court, what can one say but “Fear The Goggle!”
6. I’m reminded of what Dr. Frankenstein remarked about his creation: “He’s a little bit clumsy, but his heart is in the right place!”

Thanks so much for your support!

Reaching the next generation…

I am a bit frustrated with your reluctance to pass me the ball.

I have sent out a Goggle Agent to educate the next generation, including teaching the proper way to pass me the ball.

I commend Tim on the great lengths he has gone to in his support of the Goggle Cause!