Jump Ball
The game was on the line. Having rallied from down 16 points, the Cleveland Wolverines were down one point with less than 10 seconds to go. The hometown fans were on their feet, anxious for what their team could deliver. An inbound pass and layup would give them the game — and bragging rights over their bitter rival. Sitting on the bench was Cleveland’s star, Darius Young. Young had fouled out five minutes earlier, defending their opponent New York Liberty’s best player. In crunch time, the star is an active participant even from the sidelines, rousing his teammates and willing his team to win despite circumstances. Not Young. Towel over his head and leaning over in his chair, the final tally didn’t matter to him. Win or loss on the court didn’t translate to wins and losses in the arena that mattered far more at the stage in his life. Long ago, the game of basketball had lost its magic; today, he was its prisoner of fate. And he was waiting for all of it to end. When the buzzer went off, Young strode to the locker room without emotion, while the crowd erupted in the spasms of celebration. He had earned his paycheck; the minimum price to play in the larger game of life. He could support his family — for now.
(to be continued)
