Friends are like Teams

I was fortunate enough to go on the DC trip this year again with our 8th graders. It's great in so many ways. One of the highlights for me is to see our students in a different way. For one week I get to see students in their "real" way. Peel away the layers of red tape that are strapped on them at school and see them for who they are. The thing I realized this year is that some students have a great group of friends, they just go together. As I was realizing this about my group of boys this year we started watching the movie "The Sandlot". This started my down the road of thought that leads to this post. All groups of friends that are close work together like a team. In "the sandlot" those guys were a well oiled machine of a team. They were like the '95 Bulls that went 72-10. The best team of five guys that might have played together. I spend the next couple hours riding on that Lakefront bus thinking about how the '95 bulls are in every group of friends.

Every group of friends has a Michael Jordan. The leader. The person that the whole group gravitates to. When it's time for a decision to be made, each group has an MJ they all look to. This is the person that has it all going right. Think back to situations of good and bad in your group of friends, was there a person that always seem to have the calming effect and direct the group in a way? That's your MJ.

Every group has a Scottie Pippen. He is the MJ's right hand. He's the guy that always supports your MJ, yet challenges him. If for some reason MJ isn't around at that moment, your Pippen assumes the role of the group leader. Doesn't have the charisma or decision making skills your MJ has, but is looked to by the group as the quintessential sidekick.

Every group has a Steve Kerr. This is the guy that has one single profound trait he brings to the group. Steve Kerr could light up the 3 point line, just like your Steve Kerr of the group could be your funny man. Each group has the one guy that is the funniest bastard on the planet. Think about the guy that always cracked you up, always sacrificed his image for the humor of his buddies. That's your Steve Kerr. Maybe your Steve Kerr was the guy that could provide the Booze, or the first and only guy to have a car. No matter what his 3 point skill is, your Steve Kerr brings this to the group like no other.

Ok, every group does have a Dennis Rodman. That off the wall guy. Not the colored hair or crazy dress, but you're friend that is not like the rest of you, but fits in so well. That friend has a background that isn't like the rest of you, maybe comes from a broken home, is into drugs a little more than average guy, whatever it is, each group has that person that requires your MJ and Pippen to constantly stick up for him to the other MJ's.

Then there is Luc Longley. Think about that guy in your group that didn't bring much of anything substantial, but he's part of the group. He might be the guy you always pick on in your admiring way. It wouldn't be the same if he wasn't part of your group, that's why you let him hang around.

Think about your friends at any point and label them the MJ, Pippen, Kerr, Rodman, and Longley. I bet you can do it.