gor[b] Paul Gorbould: Words and Pictures

Mini baller

I took my three-year-old to tonight's Toronto Raptors vs. Chicago Bulls basketball game. First time either of my kids had been to a professional sports game, so it was a bit of a gamble. But she doesn't mind noise and crowds, had watched the Raps with me on TV a few times, and has a decent crossover dribble (for a preschooler.) So she came to the Air Canada Centre, and had a hoot.

She had some interesting observations, though. Here's a sampling:

Dad, pointing to the capacity ACC crowd of 19,800: "Have you ever been in a place with so many people?"
Child: "No. It's even more than my pre-school!"

Dad: "Who do you think will win, the Raptors or the Bulls?"
Child: "Maybe they both will win!"

Child, a minute later: "I think Chris Bosh will win."

Dad, after Bosh blocks a shot: "The Raptors stopped the Bulls from scoring!"
Child: "No, WE stopped them. Our pom-poms were louder."

Child, taking her lead from the crowd: "De-Fence! De-Fence!"
Child, a minute later: "Dad, what's De-Fence?"

Child, watching the Raptor mascot rollerblading down the stairs: "He knows how to do that because he's a grown-up."

Dad, watching the half-time act, Quick Change: "How do you think they change their clothes so quickly?"
Child: "Dad, that's magic. "