So, people keep asking about the Nuggets starting five. Who’s in, who’s out, who’s gonna carry them. It’s all folks seem to talk about sometimes. And yeah, it’s interesting, I guess, if you’re into that sort of thing.
But it got me thinking, you know? About my own “starting five” situation a while back. Not on a court, nah, this was real life hitting hard. That’s a whole different ball game, let me tell you.
When My Own Lineup Got Wrecked
I remember it clear as day. Got that call, the one nobody wants. “Restructuring,” they called it. Fancy word for “you’re out.” Suddenly, my own starting five – my job, my income, my routine, even my confidence – all benched. Just like that. Gone.
So, the “practice” for me, my real, gritty practice, started right then and there. Had to scramble to build a new lineup from scratch, and fast, because the bills weren’t going to pay themselves.
My first “player” on this new, unwanted team? Denial. For a hot minute, I just couldn’t believe it. Thought there was some mistake. But denial doesn’t last long when reality kicks in.
Then came Panic. Yeah, that guy was a big presence for a while. Woke up with him, went to bed with him. Not a great teammate, to be honest. Made a lot of bad plays.
After I managed to bench Panic, I had to bring in The Grind. That was my new point guard. Just head down, sending out resumes, making calls, networking with folks I hadn’t spoken to in ages. Day in, day out. It was rough, felt like I was taking shots in the dark, mostly air balls.
My wife, she became the Unsung Hero of the team. My rock. Keeping things steady at home, managing the budget tighter than a drum, always there with a word of encouragement when I was ready to throw in the towel. Can’t tell you how many times she kept the whole game from falling apart.
And the final spot on my starting five? That had to be Stubborn Hope. Sounds cheesy, I know. But without it, man, I would’ve been done. Just that little flicker that said, “Okay, this sucks, but it won’t suck forever. Keep going.”
It wasn’t a championship team by any stretch. More like a bunch of misfits just trying to survive the season. There were a lot of losses, a lot of days I didn’t want to get out of bed. My “plays” were often clumsy, and my “strategy” was mostly just trying anything and everything.
Took a long while. Longer than I wanted. But eventually, things started to turn. A lead here, a small win there. And finally, landed something new. Different, but new. And you know what? That makeshift, battered starting five got me through it. Built character, as they say, though I could’ve done with a bit less character-building at the time, if I’m honest.
So yeah, the Nuggets starting five. It’s a thing. But the starting five you build when life knocks you down? That’s the one that really shows you what you’re made of. That’s the one that sticks with you.
