19,500 people in one stadium to watch an NBA game. Yet, everyone is talking about 1 fan. 1 fan with a voice that caused one of the biggest distractions in Sports History.
The Toronto Raptors hosted the Chicago Bulls for a shot at the playoffs. The Raptors had home court advantage and a 19-point lead in the 3rd quarter. It looked bleak for the Bulls.
The stadium was sold out. Fans were loud, knowing their team was on the brink of moving into the playoffs. Yet, it was one 9-year-old fan, Diar, who caused the biggest roar of them all!
Diar, the daughter of Bulls star DeMar DeRozan, was sitting courtside cheering for her daddy. Every time the Raptors attempted a free throw, just before the ball left the shooter’s hand, Diar screamed to distract the trained, professional basketball players. C’mon, can 1 kid out of 19,500 screaming fans make that big of a difference? Yup!
As the lead got smaller, Diars’ screams got louder. Eventually, that 19-point lead evaporated, and the Bulls pulled in front for good. Final score Bulls 109, Raptors 105.
Did Diar’s distracting scream make a difference? The stats don’t lie. Toronto went 18 for 36 from the line. They missed 50% of their free throws. Chicago won the game and eliminated Toronto from the playoffs.
Out of the 19,500 things that happen in your daily life, what “one little scream” is causing “one major distraction”?
Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.
Proverbs 4:25
Stop the distractions. Keep making a difference. Always run by faith.