In the Corners: Cheering Bourque
By Brian A. Shactman
ESPN.com
Charles Barkley. Roger Clemens. Ray Bourque.
All players who changed uniforms -- in some cases more than once -- in search of a championship. Barkley never got his. Clemens did. Bourque's fate is yet to be determined, and in fact, his journey could come to a screeching halt if the Dallas Stars beat the Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference finals.
|  | | Bourque won't be smiling if the Avs don't win Game 7. |
But can we actually group Bourque with Barkley and Clemens? Beyond the fact that all three are sure-fire Hall of Famers in their sports, there's little in common. For that reason, everyone outside of Dallas -- and the few pockets where the Stars still mean something in Minnesota -- should cheer for Bourque.
So what if he left Boston? Why does every die-hard Bruins fan cheer for the Avs right now? Because they still think the best of Bourque and understand that, after all the seasons of frustration, he deserves the excitement of the chance to win the Stanley Cup.
Bourque spent 20-plus seasons in Boston. During that time, few can remember him ever publicly ripping management or dragging dirty contract laundry out to the media clothesline. Bourque did his job quietly and magnificently -- can't say both about Clemens and Barkley. He was a family man, who didn't party all night before games and never kept his Walkman on while his coach was talking to him during training camp.
And the blue-collar, passionate Bruins fans loved him for it.
There was no dishonesty in his message to the public when he was traded: Bourque wanted to win, and he wanted to see if -- at 39-years-old -- he still had it in him to be a great player.
It wasn't just the Cup; it was a personal challenge and a matter of pride. The most inspiring part of his run in Denver isn't how well the Avs have played. It's how Bourque has inspired his teammates and how he elevated a good team into a great team almost immediately.
The rarity of hearing players like Patrick Roy and Chris Drury admit that part of them wants to win for Bourque is enough to take notice. Professional athletes just don't talk like that anymore -- even hockey players, who are notorious for having a strain more humility than the average athlete.
So, if the Avs lose the series, it'll be the end of a good season for the team. But it will be the last chapter of Bourque's 1999-2000 story, and it has been the best one in the NHL.
It's not supposed to end yet.
Brian A. Shactman is the NHL editor for ESPN.com. |
