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 this positive advice from Litchfield Optimists Treasurer Doug Christ: “Enjoy the journey. Don't stop believing.”
ride the waves
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 felt sick at times during Sunday's high-stakes game against the Timberwolves.
“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 at Little Canada, says Minnesota's historically scarred sports fans should set aside their hesitations 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.
Despite the uncertainty, accepting your emotions deeply can reap great rewards. “When you win, it brings you so much joy,” she said.
Gail Sherman Crandell, a Minneapolis-based grief therapist, said the emotions Wolves fans are immersed in are “a delicious diversion 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.
The losers live in sorrow.
Giving up on winning or losing,
Those who are appeased live 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.
stay optimistic
An angry Minnesota account of 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 game with the same people, I think that helps keep you engaged and gives you a chance to keep winning. Do that. Run. You never know when it will stop, so enjoy it too.”
seek comfort in food
Is your anxiety level through the roof? Calm your nerves with Fima's. A tranquil haven in downtown Minneapolis. Just a few steps away is the excellent Mara restaurant at the Four Seasons. Every detail is luxurious, from the menu in the dining room to the bar to the premium soaps in the bathroom. You can't go wrong with butter knife steaks, raspberry pie and relaxed, old-fashioned service in the back dining room at Murray's. Speaking of steaks, Manny's is one of the best in the business, with a slice of history woven into its Foshay Tower location.
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, located in the heart of downtown's vibrancy, will be broadcasting the game. You can also enjoy delicious home-cooked meals at any of our restaurants.
choose national anthem
“Stand Up and Be Strong” should be the official anthem of this playoffs. Written and first recorded by Minnesota alternative rock star Soul Asylum, it was later re-recorded by Prince as “Stand Up and Be Strong.” Prince was a Wolves fan through the good and bad times, so it might be appropriate to use his version. Prince definitely says, “Nothing can ever be taken away from you / What you've earned, what you've been through… You might have to fight / You might have to cry / Stand up and be strong.” It could have been sung with lyrics like that.
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.”
