Seeing things clearly? Basketball goggles, me and Amare Stoudemire

Amare Stoudemire and I don’t have a lot in common, especially on the basketball court. The best way to describe the difference is picturing Amare as a 2009 Ferrari and myself as a 1972 Yugo, although I think the Yugo probably gets better gas milage than I do (then again I’m fueled by fast food and sarcasm so what do I expect). I’m a , well lets just say fairly short and somewhat overweight individual (I put somewhat to save the shred of self confidence that is left). Stodemire on the other hand is a physical specimen who can leap small buildings, or at least big Olowokandi’s, in a single bound.

While we are obviously at opposite ends of the athletic spectrum, he posses the ability I don’t, we did have something in common on Tuesday evening.

A few weeks ago I was diagnosed with a cornea disease and given special hard contacts to hopefully correct my vision. As part of the deal, during athletic activities, mainly basketball, I’m required to wear goggles to protect my eyes. Last night during my weekly pickup game with a group of friends, I tested out a pair of goggles similar in shape and style to the ones Amare wore for a handful of games last season and will be required to wear all this year.

My eye condition isn’t nearly as serious as STAT’s, the only reason I spent 22 hours a day in bed this summer was my honeymoon. However, I imagine the experience of wearing the goggles is very similar to what he went through. Throughout the game the protective eyewear not only made me look ridiculous, but fogged up, smudged and caused constant glaring. It even skewed my peripheral vision.

Imagine Mr. Magoo playing basketball and you get a pretty good idea of what I looked like on the court. Luckily for me playing blind doesn’t really change my game or the outcome of the games.

After my experience last night I can understand why Stoudemire only lasted three games wearing goggles last season. It will be interesting to see what the adjustment period for him is this season and just how much they affect his play early on.

With any luck, the only thing Amare and I will have in common is that we wear goggles. But even with that, I am sure his goggles are superior to mine. then again, mine were $20 at Sports Authority, so they better be.

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