In general, I’m not a superstitious man. Intellectually, I know that I have nothing to do with the outcome of games my sports teams play in. But, there are things in this world we can’t understand. Let me tell you a story.
Western Tennessee, the early 1800s
Jeremiah Carroll had always been a good shot, but he hadn’t had many shots like this to take. You didn’t often see a baby grizzly bear at all, let alone when you happened to have your rifle with you. And you know what they say. A baby grizzly grows up to be a full-sized grizzly. So he lined him up in the sites and squeezed the trigger. It was a great shot. Dropped him right there.
What he did know is there was one less bear to worry about. What he didn’t know is that particular cub was son of the Medicine Bear of the clan. Of course, most people didn’t know about Medicine Bears, but every clan had one. They’d learned the sacred ursine tradition of Bear Magic that played an important part in the way the world works. And that bear’s daddy put a curse on Jeremiah and his family. Bear Magic will forever haunt Jeremiah and his descendants.
Dallas, Texas, November 18, 2016
Clint Carroll is taking his oldest son to his first Dallas Mavericks game. He bought the tickets well in advance. When game day arrived, Dirk Nowitzki, JJ Barea and Deron Williams are all out, but they’re still hoping it will be a fun game to watch. It won’t. They will have to watch Jonathan Gibson, Justin Anderson and Nico Brussino. In fact it will be the lowest scoring game in Dallas Mavericks history. Bear Magic.
Dallas, Texas, December 1, 2023
Clint Carroll is taking his other two sons to their first Dallas Mavericks game. He bought the tickets well in advance. When game day arrived, Luka Doncic is out, but they’re still hoping it will be a fun game to watch. It won’t. Kyrie Irving, one of the most skilled basketball players alive, will have a truly awful game, shooting 3-15. Bear Magic.
Say what you want. Call me superstitious, a kook or a fool. Laugh at me behind my back. But consider this. The Mavericks have won every other game I’ve ever attended. So from now on, if the Mavericks are playing the Grizzlies, I won’t be there, and neither will any of my children. Bear Magic.