Read Triple Threat Online

Authors: Eric Walters

Tags: #JUV000000

Triple Threat (8 page)

BOOK: Triple Threat
9.03Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

“Sorry,” Kia apologized.

“So win or lose this game, it isn't about how they feel about me and my game. It's how they feel about you that counts.”

“They think we're a couple of little goofs … is it okay for me to call us names?”

JYD smiled. “It's better to not put down anybody, including yourself. Maybe they do think you're goofs. The big thing this game is going to do is make a difference in the way they see you two.”

“It will make a difference if we win,” Kia said. “They'll see us as being part of the team that won.”

“Don't you want more than that?” he asked.

“What did you have in mind?” I asked nervously.

“You said you two were good players.”

“No,” Kia said. “I told you we were great players.”

“Then maybe that's what you have to show them. You have to show them that you can play.”

“We can try … but they're a lot older and bigger than us.”

“They're bigger for sure. I play against bigger people all the time. It just means you have to play harder.”

“We can play hard, but can we play hard enough to beat them?” I asked.

“I don't know,” JYD said. “What I do know is that you're not here just to win the game.”

“We're not?” Kia asked.

He shook his head. “You're here to win respect. If we win and I do all the scoring, the only one who's going to be respected is me. If we lose, but you two play your hearts out, then you're going to win something more important than a game.” He paused. “You're going to earn respect. From them. From me. And from yourselves. That's more important than any game results.”

“I guess that makes sense,” I said. “But couldn't you score some of the points? A few maybe?”

“Maybe a few, but not many. So what's your game plan?”

“Our plan was that when we had the ball, we were going to give it to you and you'd score, and when they had the ball, you'd stop them,” Kia said.

“We've ruled that plan out. Here's what I'm thinking. On defense we go with a two-one zone. You two chase the ball, staying up on the top of the key, trying to force them to come inside … and that's where I'm going to be waiting, inside, right in the paint, under the net.”

“To block shots and get boards,” I said.

“That's the place to be.”

“How about when we have the ball?” Kia asked.

“I figure at first they're going to be keying on me. I'll get at least double coverage, don't you think?” he asked.

“Sometimes triple coverage. They're not expecting anything from us,” I said.

“And that's where we're going to surprise them,” he said.

“Surprise them? We're even surprising us,” Kia said.

“That element of surprise is going to work for us. They're not expecting you two to score, so they won't be covering you. You two have a favorite spot to shoot?” JYD asked.

“I like being underneath the net,” I said. “I'm a power forward.”

“I don't think that's going to work really well in this game,” he said. “You have a place you like to spot up for a shot?”

“Either elbow.”

“Good. That means the best way to open you up is with a pick and roll.”

“You want me to pick for you?” I asked.

He shook his head. “These guys would run you down flat as a pancake. I was thinking I could pick
for you. Send it in to me and then you drop back to the elbow whenever you see me drive and I'll kick the ball back to you.”

“I can do that.”

“Good. Kia, where's your spot?”

“I shoot pretty well from the three-point line by the baseline.”

“Left or right side?”

“Both … either.”

“Excellent. I want you to be running back and forth, setting up on both sides. You get open and we'll get you the ball.”

“You get me the ball and I'll make my shots,” Kia said confidently.

“You'll get the ball from both Nick and me. Nick, you're going to be point guard.”

“I've never played point before.”

“First time for everything. You have an advantage over these guys.”

“I do?”

“Yeah. You're short.”

“And just how is being short an advantage?” I questioned.

“It's an advantage when you're dribbling. You ever seen a seven-foot point guard?”

“I guess not.”

“You never will. The point guards are always little guys … you know, maybe six feet six inches tops. Keep yourself low to the ground and watch out for them reaching in on you. Remember that for your shots as well. Both of you. You can't rush your rhythm, but they're going to get into your faces real fast to block or alter your shot. Get it away quickly or you'll be eating the ball.”

“We'll get our shots away as quick as we can,” I said.

“We have one other advantage going for us,” JYD said.

“What's that?” I asked.

“I've been watching them while we've been talking. These guys got some game, but it's not a team game.”

“What do you mean?”

“Everybody's trying to do things the hardest way possible. I get the feeling that they'd rather miss a fancy shot than make a simple one. Watch.”

We turned to look at the game in progress. It was a close game. Both teams were good, although the three stooges were better. They scored another basket and somebody yelled out the score—they were up by five points.

It was also apparent that all six players were not only big, but good. There were a couple of good ball handlers on both sides, and the big guys were banging together under the net for the ball, pushing and shoving for position. There was no way I could compete with any of these guys—especially under the hoop. Rather than hoping for rebounds, I should be praying that nobody would kill me when they were taking the rebounds away from me.

As we continued to watch, it was clear that what JYD had said was true. There weren't two teams playing as much as there were two groups of three individuals. Easy passes were overlooked. Instead of passing to the open player, everybody was trying to beat his man off the dribble. Instead of looking for the high percentage shot, they were putting up off-balance, forced shots, some missing by a mile.

“These guys don't seem to know how to spell,” JYD said.

“Spell? What do you mean?” Kia asked.

“They don't realize that there isn't an ‘I' in team,” JYD said. “The choices are to win as a team or lose as individuals.”

Just as obvious as the way they were playing was the reason they were playing that way. It was hard
to play when you only had one eye on the net. The other eye was looking at JYD. They were playing to impress rather than playing to win. I figured it would get even worse when he was actually out there on the court playing against them. That could only work for us too.

A long shot went up. The ball bounced hard against the backboard, slammed against the front of the rim, into the air, and then dropped in.

“That's game!” the big goof yelled.

JYD turned to me and Kia. “You two ready?”

“I was born ready,” Kia said.

“Nick?”

I nodded my head. “I'm as ready as I'm going to be. Let's do it.”

8

“Before we get started, we need to get properly introduced,” JYD said. “I'm Jerome Williams, but you can all call me JYD.”

“Pleased to meet you. I'm Ben,” the big guy said as he pumped JYD's hand. He certainly didn't seem that big standing there beside JYD.

“And you've already met my teammates … although I don't know if you got names.”

“Not really,” Ben said, looking down at his shoes. He looked like he was embarrassed—and he should be embarrassed about the way he treated us.

“This here is my little brother, Nick.”

“Your brother?” Ben asked.

“We're all brothers,” JYD said.

Kia cleared her throat and JYD chuckled. “Of course, except for those of us who are sisters. This little lady is Kia.”

“Yeah, I'm Kia.”

Ben reached out his hand and for a split second I thought she was going to refuse to shake. Finally she offered her hand.

“I'm Devon … I'm a big fan of yours,” the second-biggest member of the team said. He had little baby dreads and a skimpy little mustache. He was tall—maybe six three—but he was also real thin. I actually wondered if I could box him out. Of course that was silly. Even if I held my position, he'd just reach up and over my head to get rebounds.

“Thanks, man. Pleased to meet you,” JYD said as they shook.

Devon then offered his hand to Kia and then to me.

“I'm Ethan,” the third player said and shook hands with all of us.

“I'm glad to be playing with all of you today. I'm sure we're going to have a good game.”

“We're just thrilled to be playing with you … this is a real honor,” Ethan said.

“I'm honored that you'd let me play. Let's set some rules. Are we playing cutthroat or loser gets ball?”

“Whatever you want to play,” Ben said.

“I like loser getting the ball. It makes for a more even game. What are the rules on turnovers or a change in possession?” JYD asked.

“The ball has to be taken outside the three-point line before you can score or the points count for the other team.”

“Sounds fair. How many points to win?”

“First team to fifteen points. Anything inside the line is two, outside the three-point line counts for three.”

“What about fouls?” JYD asked.

“You think you were fouled, you call it.”

“Do you get shots?” JYD asked.

“No shots, just possession.”

“Just possession … hmmmm … sounds like it almost pays to foul somebody. I guess that's okay if you're the biggest dog in the pound.” JYD moved in real close to Ben. JYD wasn't smiling. He had a serious, scary look to him as he stared down at Ben. Ben backed off a half step.

“Course I expect a good clean game,” JYD said. “Hard, but clean. I remember something my grandfather used to say to me. He said, Jerome, in my whole life I ain't never hit anybody … first.”

Kia broke out laughing as JYD flashed a huge smile. I knew exactly what JYD was actually saying to these guys. Don't pick on the little kids or I'll pick on you. I just hoped that those three guys were smart enough to have figured it out as well.

“Who gets first ball?” Ben asked.

“How about if we shoot for ball?” Kia suggested.

“Sounds good.”

“You first,” Kia said. “You make it, it's your ball. You miss and it's ours.”

“Maybe you should go first,” he said, offering the ball to Kia.

“No thanks. I figure it might be the only ball you sink all game, so go for it.”

Ben looked shocked and then angry as the fifteen guys standing around watching all laughed and jeered and cheered. They were dressed in sweats and basketball shoes, guys who had been playing or were ready to play.

We all walked over to the side as he took the ball and went to the foul line. He put up the shot. It clanked off the back rim and bounced off.

“Our ball!” Kia exclaimed as she rushed over and grabbed the ball before it could roll away.

Kia, JYD and I walked to the top of the key.

“Nick, put the ball in to me. Put it really high. Remember, I'm big and I can jump. Kia, you go down to your spot on the baseline. I'm going to fake a drive, kick it back out to Nick, and he's going to feed you. You put it up. Don't worry. Even if you miss, I'm getting the rebound.”

“There isn't going to be a rebound to get,” she said.

“That's the spirit.” He held out his hand. “Hands in,” he said.

I put my hand on top of JYD's, and Kia put her hand on top of mine. “Remember, if we try our best, we play as a team, we play with heart, then, no matter what the score, we walk away as winners. Okay, now break!”

I took the ball and walked over to the sideline. Ethan walked toward me but gave me lots of space. Both Ben and Devon covered JYD—one behind and one in front—as he set up at the top of the key. Kia was all by herself by the baseline.

“Check,” I said as I bounced the ball to Ethan. He tossed it back.

JYD lifted up one of his arms. Ben and Devon reached up to try and cover him, but his arm extended well above their reach. If I tossed it high enough,
they wouldn't be able to get it. But then again … why would I even try?

“JYD!” I yelled and faked the pass to him.

Ethan jumped back, creating a triple team on JYD. I threw in a hard pass to Kia. She planted her foot, spun, aimed and threw up a shot. JYD fought his way through the other players, getting in position for the rebound in time to see the ball swoosh right through the hoop—nothing but net!

The small crowd at courtside exploded! People started whooping and hollering, and one guy ripped off his shirt and started waving it around his head! It was obvious whose side they were on. They probably didn't like being bullied by these guys any more than we did.

BOOK: Triple Threat
9.03Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

Other books

The Red Road by Stephen Sweeney
Gently Instrumental by Alan Hunter
Star Rebellion by Alicia Howell
jinn 01 - ember by schulte, liz
The Lost Stories by John Flanagan
Intervention by Robin Cook
Griffin of Darkwood by Becky Citra