Larry King dead

Amidst the debate on who is the greatest basketball player ever, Michael Jordan deflected attention from himself and argued no one is, but the greatest basketball team ever. No team with only one player, no matter how you stand out. It is not a game of monopoly, hence crocs should not play with a team, they are just elected to a term.

LeBron James knows exactly how heavy the burden is, maybe one reason he got out of the heat, realized he could not be a knight in shining armor by his lonesome and dived into the lake. Especially in basketball where everyone plays a role no one can roll into one. In volleyball too. Sisi Rondina had the deadliest spikes but graduated blue, after the lady eagles blued the yellow tigresses.

Of course Michael Jordan was just being generous. He knows he is, but knows more he doesn’t have to say it. The guy has nothing to prove, he played and retired complete, except for that flop foray into baseball, another team sport, where the strength of one complements the weakness of the other. But sometimes it still falls short.

For even if they are fastest, Lydia de Vega before and Kristina Marie Knott now, could not anchor the Philippine relay team to regional gold. It is too tall an order for them to compensate huge leg deficit due partly to poor baton pass during crucial changeover. Either way, Jordan’s words reaffirm the dictates of team sports where players should bring out playing best in, and not outplay each other.

Exactly how broadcasting legend Larry King did his talk show, bring out expressive best in his interviewees, be it world leaders, politicians, celebrities, entertainers, athletes, even psychics and other personalities who shot to prominence for the wrong reasons. Just as the mission of universities is to bring out critical best of their graduates. If an isolated, negligible few go beyond the parliament of the streets, it is a personal choice of the naked clothed with power, truth and knowledge.

Larry was the King who didn’t reign supreme in the platform he owned. He opened his mouth only about a tenth of the time, leaving the rest to his guests to articulate their thoughts and wisdom. He quizzed with tact, listened to the answers and kept them intact. Oprah Winfrey holds back too, even if viewers are more interested in what she says, especially when her guests mumble the fumble.

Unlike elsewhere near where others outtalk and even talk about themselves instead of their invitees. Or steal thunder from them. Or worse, ask dumb questions, like how much they love their parents. Of course the answer is so very much or more than words can say, be it true or for show. Instead of asking the obvious, stimulate the subconscious to speak spontaneous.

But if the guest throws a tantrum, throw back nothing. Just flip your hair midair. Although Larry King couldn’t, not because he is male, but he had short thinning white hair. Stretch his patience maybe, longer than his trademark suspenders. Larry King Live may have been silenced into the great beyond, but his interview lessons are beyond beyond. Be incisive, without being invasive. Be the conduit, don’t invite attention to yourself.