By Bradley Aquino
When considering who the GOAT of basketball is, people will usually name players such as LeBron, Jordan, or even Kobe Bryant. But there’s always one player who’s unfairly left out of this debate. That being the greatest point guard to ever grace the Golden State Warriors, Pat Spencer.
Unsurprisingly, I actually have a lot in common with Pat; we’re both insanely good at Lacrosse and basketball, both ruggedly handsome, and can both grow a pretty mean mustache. Now, most people may disagree with me when I say Pat Spencer is the greatest player to ever touch a basketball, but I’ll always know there’s one person who has my back on this controversial opinion. And that person is Connor Sato.
I’ve known Connor for who knows how long, but I was never really friends with him until I reached high school.
Growing up, I never really enjoyed going to Temple on Sundays. And I held this sentiment for the longest time. After COVID, when service went back to being in person, I was eligible to join the Mountain View Buddhist Temple YBA. And like most things in my life, I didn’t have much of a choice in whether or not I participated, so I went into it not all that excited. I remember my first YBA meeting, all these familiar faces, but no one I really knew knew. Minus my brother and Ryan. This stayed that way for a bit, obviously, I became well acquainted with the majority of the people there, but I never really felt like I could consider any of them my friend. That is, until one fateful day.
On December 22, 2022, Me, Connor, and Jarrett Wong had a very eventful night scrolling on TikTok. Up until that point, I would never have thought that I’d be laughing until I figuratively peed my pants, with a couple of guys from Temple. And little did I know that this night was the single catalyst for my friendship with Connor. And Jarrett, too, I guess. From that point forward, service and YBA meetings were no longer something I dreaded going to. I still hated waking up early during my weekends, but I found comfort in the fact that Connor Sato was doing so too. Cause then we could both be in a bad mood together.
Going to service has taught me many things about Buddhism, but frankly, I believe Connor has taught me more.
For instance.
Through our countless talks, Connor has taught me the importance of impermanence, our lives are ever-changing, and whenever I’d annoy Connor about my Girl troubles, he’d tell me that this pain was purely temporary and I shouldn’t be so hung up on it.
Our constant laughs and jokes have taught me right mindfulness. I cherish every reel, every TikTok, and every inside joke shared between the two of us.
Whenever we play Fortnite together, it helps reinstate the teaching of how life is suffering, fueled with constant pain and frustration. But said suffering can be extinguished through the elimination of selfishness. And Connor is anything but that while playing Fortnite. Through our impeccable, selfless teamwork, we can win at least one in every 20 games we play.
Through my friendship with Connor, he’s indirectly pushed me to become a better Buddhist by subliminally teaching me Buddhist principles.
When Connor was a senior, I remember how sad I was when he was headed off to college. Knowing that I’d now be the only funny person left in YBA, and how I’ll no longer be able to see one of my best friends every Sunday. Now that I, too, am going off to college, I am again saddened, as I know everyone in YBA, especially Jeremy, will miss my presence just as much as I missed Connor’s.
But I now know that this sadness is temporary, and that there are brighter days ahead. That’s impermanence.
If it weren’t for YBA and the Temple, I wouldn’t have been able to be gifted with knowing the Connor Sato. As well as the other countless friendships I was able to create.
Thank you, everyone, for everything over the past 18 years, thank you, Connor, for being one of the best friends I could’ve ever asked for. I could’ve made this speech more sentimental but I suck at writing.
And lastly. I’d like to thank Pat Spencer. You are truly an inspiration to young boys like me, the way you effortlessly played during the playoffs and was nothing short of perfect basketball. If the Warriors ever trade, they are the worst franchise in NBA history.
Thank you.