After practices on Friday, a couple guys and I always play a game of 21 before we leave. This is where I excel in basketball. I'm a mediocre player during organized games. But put me in a game of 21 and I'll beat anyone. It's my favorite part of the game. One of the main reasons I decided to play on the team this season is because I knew it would make me better at 21. After a season of hard basketball, I could proceed to embarrass all my friends when Spring comes around, and we spend every day playing 21 in an alley.
Today was different. Coach Tony decided to play with us, to everyone's amazement. He's always surprised when I win, maybe he wanted to see what it was like to play with us. Well anyway, the team finally learned just how good he is at basketball.
The man is an incredible basketball player, and athlete. He's 40-something years old, and is more athletic than anyone on the team, except maybe Earl. He wouldn't miss a 3-pointer, no matter who was guarding him. Whether it was Derick, our 6'3" man-child of a center, or James, our skilled small forward guarding him, he couldn't be beat. He would crossover about 3 times in one second and then proceed to hit a fadeaway 3-pointer in the defender's face. When he drove, he got over, under, and through anyone in his way to make the layup.
I've gained a newfound respect for Coach Tony. I always thought he took basketball too seriously, when all I wanted to do was play a game of 21in an alley, or a pickup game at the park. We've all learned that he can get back to basics and just have a fun time playing. And he's damn good at it too.
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