Over the last year I’ve had the opportunity to get educated on a new generation of jargon, popularized by Gen Z and some of our younger companions on the planet. One of the most prominent words I’ve encountered is “unc”, likely because I am one at this point in my life.
Stemming from the word, “Uncle”, “unc” indicates a person who thinks, acts, or expresses themselves in a stubborn, somewhat old-fashioned way. “Unc” doesn’t just indicate age. Though it’s easier to call an older person “unc”, next-gen people call each other that all the time. It’s a mindset, clinging to a belief or behavior that’s somewhat out of step with trends or the new reality. When someone is too cautious, going against the grain by upholding tradition, lecturing, parroting advice your mom or dad might give, or just can’t figure out how to get the buttons on this new tech gizmo to work, they’re “unc”. Analogs in past slang might be “square” or “party pooper” or, in certain Star Trek circles, “Herbert”. It’s not necessarily bad to be (an) “unc”. It’s usually a lighthearted jab, indicating that maybe you’re taking the situation a bit too seriously even if your actual words are justifiable.
(That’s as near as I can come to the definition, anyway. I may be too unc to describe unc accurately and probably just cemented myself as unc by trying to do so.)
Having said that, here’s my question today. What one basketball opinion will make you proudly and unashamedly step into Unc’s shoes? What conviction or belief turns you immediately into unc and you’ll die on that hill no matter how many times the label gets tossed your way?
Example: If you claim that real power forwards should be 6’8, play in the lane with their backs to the basket, and have a job description that begins and ends with, “Shut up and rebound!”, we’re going to say, “OK, unc.” And the more you extol the virtues of Buck Williams in the pace-and-space era, the more we’re going to giggle and repeat the phrase.
Make sense? Your conviction can be about the Portland Trail Blazers, about the NBA, or about the sport in general. Whatever it is, share your most unc (or “auntie” if you prefer, though the label appears to be gender-neutral) stand, conviction, or piece of advice in the comments section below.
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