Being a professional sports fan in stoic Minnesota isn’t easy. Indeed, we are used to losing. And we are used to losing dramatically and improbably.
So now that the Wolves have advanced to the Western Conference Finals (for the first time in 20 years, mind you), fans across the state are confused. Should we – dare I say it – hold up our fragile hopes? What happens if Dallas gets crushed? What if they actually make it through and win it all? Can you handle either?
Hardcore fans who already wear Nas Reid tattoos are already going all out. But what about cautious, one-time fans like us? We’ve all been led down garden paths before and ended up crying in our hand-me-down Homer handkerchiefs. At this critical juncture for sports fans, here’s some not-so-wise advice on whether to celebrate or hold back.
enjoy the victory
Instead of going all out Minnesotan and worrying about the next game, why not take a moment to celebrate the Timberwolves defeating a tough team like the Nuggets?
Grab your “Playoffs 2024” gear and listen to some illuminating advice from Litchfield Optimist Treasurer Doug Chryst. “Enjoy the ride. Don’t stop believing.”
Riding the Wave
Inver Grove Heights teacher Dan Geisbauer is a disappointing student in Minnesota sports. Using the pen name Dan Winnesota, he produced a mockumentary film about Minnesota sports disappointments and wrote a book called “A History of Broken Hearts: 100 Things That Hate Minnesota Sports Fans.”
“Right now we have to enjoy every moment,” Geisbauer said, because disaster could be on the horizon. “Even if you’re going south, you have to enjoy every moment of it. Maybe you shouldn’t say ‘go south,’ because that reminds you of the North Star.”
The departure of the Minnesota North Stars NHL hockey franchise to Dallas in 1993 is on Geisbauer’s “Dirty Dozen” list of the worst disasters in Minnesota sports. The Timberwolves’ loss could crack the top 12 worst moments in Minnesota sports.
“You have to have a sense of humor about it,” he said. “You have to enjoy the waves and ride them.”
keep calm and move
Yoga teacher Jennifer Gray admits she sometimes feels demotivated during Sunday’s important Timberwolves game.
“We don’t want to let anyone down. We have high hopes for the Minnesota team, but things don’t always go our way,” she said.
Still, the founder and owner of St. Louis Park’s Yoga Center Retreat said there are ways to stay calm and reduce stress during intense competition. Calm your body by taking deep breaths. She also recommends taking advantage of the halftime break. She says, “Movement is also beneficial because it regulates the nervous system.”
What if that doesn’t work? “I think if you close your eyes for a moment, turn away from the TV, and start fresh, you’ll have a chance to recover,” she says.
jump into joy
Porsche Godin, a marriage and family therapist with Little Canada, says sports fans in Minnesota, which has historically been mired in grief, should put aside their hesitation and dive into the depths of hope and joy.
“Do your best. Buy all the apparel. Get tickets if you can. Watch the games. Get on the bandwagon,” she said.
If you allow yourself to feel deeply despite the uncertainty, you may reap great rewards. “When you win, you’re very happy,” she said.
Gail Sherman Crandell, a Minneapolis-based grief therapist, said the emotions Wolves fans are experiencing are “a pleasant break from the seriousness of our lives.”
And the Wolves’ victory proved to be a positive sign. Couples are coming together and families are putting aside their conflicts.
“I’m not the greatest sports fan ever, but I appreciate how much sports mean to so many people,” she said.
please take a lesson
The Buddhist approach is to accept the final outcome, whether victory or defeat, with “equanimity,” or equanimity. Bhante Sewari, a monk at the Minnesota Buddhist Temple in Minneapolis, is not an NBA fan. But he says this lesson applies to life outside of sports as well. In a passage from the Dhammapada, the Buddha tells a king who was depressed over his recent defeat in battle:
“Victory breeds hatred in the conquered.
Losers live in sadness.
Giving up on winning or losing,
The propitiated person lives in peace.”
In other words, Shiwali says, “Don’t take it personally. Let go of the loss. Use it as a lesson to improve next time.”
Don’t beat yourself up if the Timberwolves lose their first game against Dallas. Whether it’s the next game or next season, “you always have to have hope,” Sewary said.
let’s be optimistic
An outraged Minnesota account regarding X (@mnmn) provides a color commentary on the characteristics of Minnesota’s culture, including the reputation of sports teams for their hopes of making the playoffs. One of the anonymous locals running the account advised fans to do whatever it takes to stay optimistic.
“If you have to wear the same clothes or watch the games with the same people, do it because I think it helps you stay engaged and gives you a chance to keep winning. Do that. You never know when the run is going to stop. Have fun with it too.”
seek comfort in food
Is your anxiety level through the roof? Calm your nerves with Fima’s. A rare place of tranquility in downtown Minneapolis. A short distance away is the stunning Mara at the Four Seasons, where every detail is luxurious, from the dining room menu to the bar to the luxurious soaps in the bathrooms. Murray’s also has a back dining room where you can enjoy butter knife steaks, raspberry pie, and unwavering old-school service. Speaking of steak, Manny’s is one of the best restaurants in the business, combining its Foshay Tower location with a piece of history.
To continue the post-win party, the fun at Sanju-san extends to the bistro’s illuminated sidewalk patio. Enjoy great drinks and a lively atmosphere. Neon Tiger is located at the alley entrance to some sort of hideout behind the public domain, with top-of-the-line blender-his-drinks and a “you-know-it-all” vibe. Order the entire snack menu.lower parlor autonomous region Full most nights with neighborhood bar service from an experienced bar staff. Order the famous burger and eat it here, it tastes better than at any stadium. I sit on the couch in the corner, the deep bass echoing through my excited nervous system.
Don’t have tickets to the game? no problem. Downtown sports stops like Loon, Gluek and more‘s and Tom’s Watch Bar will be screening the game in the heart of all the downtown activity, plus they all serve great comfort food.
Choose a national anthem
“Stand Up and Be Strong” should be the official fight song of these playoffs. The song was written and first recorded by Minnesota alternative rock stars Soul Asylum, but was later re-recorded by Prince as “Stand Up and Be Strong”. He was a die-hard Wolves fan, so his version is probably the one to use. Because he could definitely sing while channeling lyrics like: Through… You may have to fight/You may have to cry/Stand up and be strong. ”
When you’re feeling stressed out looking at game scores, consider the songs in this calming playlist. “Let It Be” by the Beatles, “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong, “Smile” by Michael Jackson, “Into the Mystic” by Van Morrison, “Peaceful Easy Feeling” by the Eagles, Billie Eilish’s “When the Party’s Over” and of course Taylor Swift’s “You Need to Calm Down.”
